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PLI 2.0 for Medical Devices Opens With Rs 2,700 Crore

The Department of Pharmaceuticals invited fresh applications under the medical devices PLI scheme, now extended to 2035-36 with an outlay of about Rs 2,700 crore.

By Published · 2 min read
PLI 2.0 for Medical Devices Opens With Rs 2,700 Crore — GK24 title card

Why in News

On 10 November 2026 the Department of Pharmaceuticals invited fresh applications under PLI-MD 2.0, extending the medical devices production linked incentive scheme to 2035-36 with an outlay of about Rs 2,700 crore.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, called for fresh applications on 10 November 2026 under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices, known as PLI-MD. The scheme has been carried forward up to 2035-36, and an outlay of roughly Rs 2,700 crore is available for the new round. Applications will be filed on an online portal that the department said would go live within the next ten days.

What the first phase delivered

The scheme began in 2021-22. Since then more than 60 high-end devices and components have started being made in India, among them X-ray tubes and detectors, a 1.5T MRI machine, LINAC, CT scanners, mammography units, Cathlab systems, orthopaedic and cardiac implants and dialyzers. Output under the scheme has crossed Rs 16,000 crore in value.

Four target segments and their incentives

SegmentCoversAverage incentive
TS 1Medical consumables, disposables and implantsAbout 5%
TS 2Critical componentsAbout 9%
TS 3High-end devices barely made in India yetAbout 9%
TS 4High-end devices only assembled in India at present6%

Successful applicants get three years to build their plants in any of these segments, and the incentive rate tapers over the period. In the consumables and disposables segment the aim is scale and world-class quality, while in the two high-end segments priority goes to integrating the value chain so that devices made in India become more competitive. The push on critical components is also expected to help micro, small and medium enterprises.

Easier rules this time

  • The minimum sales threshold that had to be met before claiming an incentive has been removed.
  • The minimum investment requirement has been reduced.
  • An applicant may file any number of applications across one or more segments.
  • The application window will stay open continuously over a long stretch rather than for a short period.

The department described the new round as PLI-MD 2.0 and tied it to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, with the stated aims of building home-grown supply chains, drawing investment, creating jobs, improving quality, lowering device prices and lifting India’s standing in high-end medical technology. The scheme now wants deep manufacturing of equipment that the country does not make at all, such as 3T MRI machines, PET-CT scanners, ultrasound probes and consoles, and high-throughput in-vitro diagnostic analysers.

Important Facts

SchemePLI Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices (PLI-MD 2.0)
MinistryDepartment of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Extended up to2035-36
OutlayAbout Rs 2,700 crore
Launched in2021-22
Production so farOver Rs 16,000 crore, covering more than 60 high-end devices and components
Target segmentsFour: consumables and implants, critical components, nascent high-end devices, devices now only assembled
Eased conditionsMinimum sales threshold discontinued; minimum investment requirement trimmed

Exam Point of View

Remember the scheme (PLI for medical devices), the ministry (Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Pharmaceuticals), the extension to 2035-36, the outlay of about Rs 2,700 crore, the start year 2021-22, output above Rs 16,000 crore, over 60 devices made, four target segments with their rates, and the two eased conditions.

Practice Questions

Q4.EconomyMedium

Which requirement for claiming incentive has been discontinued in the new round of PLI-MD?

  1. A.The minimum sales threshold
  2. B.The export obligation
  3. C.The domestic value addition norm
  4. D.The employment guarantee
Show answer
Correct answer: A. The minimum sales threshold

Learning from the first phase, the department removed the condition that an applicant had to cross a stated level of sales before claiming the incentive, and it also trimmed the minimum investment requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Till which year has the PLI scheme for medical devices been extended?

Up to 2035-36. The Department of Pharmaceuticals announced the extension on 10 November 2026 along with fresh applications and an outlay of roughly Rs 2,700 crore for the new round, which it calls PLI-MD 2.0.

What has the medical devices PLI scheme achieved since 2021-22?

More than 60 high-end medical devices and components began to be made in India, including X-ray tubes and detectors, a 1.5T MRI, LINAC, CT scanners, mammography machines, Cathlab systems, orthopaedic and cardiac implants and dialyzers. Production under the scheme has crossed Rs 16,000 crore in value.

Which conditions have been relaxed for applicants?

The minimum sales threshold required to claim an incentive has been discontinued and the minimum investment requirement has been trimmed. Applicants may also file any number of applications in one or more target segments, and the window stays open continuously.

Sources

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