Department of Pharmaceuticals

Choosing a scheme

• Pharma or medtech research and innovation: PRIP Component B, for companies, LLPs and registered partnership firms.
• Manufacturing at scale: the production-linked incentive schemes. The pharmaceutical scheme covers high-value goods, the medical device scheme covers greenfield projects, and the bulk-drug scheme covers key starting materials, intermediates and APIs.
• Equipment for medical device makers: the SMDI grant-in-aid.
• Opening a Janaushadhi kendra: PMBJK, for pharmacy degree holders and NGOs.

Before you apply

• Confirm the scheme has an open call. Several list no open window.
• Early-stage PRIP projects need a Startup certificate or a valid Udyam MSME registration.
• For the medical device PLI, check that the project is greenfield and that your net worth meets the requirement.
• For PMBJK, expect a non-refundable application fee.

How applications work

• PRIP runs through its own portal.
• PMBJK applications are made online on the PMBI website.
• Other schemes publish their invitations and approved-applicant lists on the department's schemes page.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals is a central government department under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. It was created as a separate department in July 2008 and is responsible for the policy, planning, development and regulation of the pharmaceutical industries. It runs schemes for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and it is based in New Delhi.

How its programmes work

Most of the department's support comes as schemes, each with its own guidelines. The Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech (PRIP) provides financial assistance for research and innovation projects, and its guidelines are dated 1 October 2025. Under an optional benefit-share route, the beneficiary issues compulsorily convertible preference shares to the Central Government, equal in value to the assistance disbursed. A separate PRIP component funds Centres of Excellence at National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) to build research capacity in priority areas. That component is institutional, not a route for startups.

The Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI) gives grant-in-aid towards equipment and machinery. It has a three-year tenure, from FY 2024-25 to FY 2026-27, and two sub-schemes: one for capacity building and skill development in medical devices, and one for medical device clinical studies. The operational guidelines for both sub-schemes have been modified, most recently in February 2026.

Several production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes sit under the department. The PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals supports manufacturing investment and production of high-value goods, with a tenure from FY 2020-21 to FY 2028-29. The PLI scheme for medical devices covers greenfield projects. A third PLI scheme covers critical key starting materials, drug intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and invites applications for eligible products. Its latest invitation is dated 19 February 2026.

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra scheme lets an operating agency open and run a Janaushadhi medicine kendra. It is implemented through the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). The operating agency earns a margin on sales and an incentive on monthly purchases, subject to a cap.

A common-facilities scheme for pharmaceutical industry clusters had its last application window from 11 December 2024 to 13 January 2025, and it is now closed. Several schemes do not list an open application window, so confirm the current call before you plan around one.

Who can apply

The PRIP and PLI schemes are aimed at companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and registered partnership firms registered in India. The pharmaceutical PLI scheme also includes proprietary firms. Early-stage projects under PRIP must hold a Startup certificate from the Inter-Ministerial Board of Certification, or a valid Udyam MSME registration. The medical device PLI scheme covers greenfield projects only, and applicants must meet a net worth requirement.

For a Janaushadhi kendra, the applicant can be an individual with a D.Pharma or B.Pharma degree, or someone who employs such degree holders. NGOs and organisations must employ B.Pharma or D.Pharma degree holders.

Who runs it

The department's Secretary is Manoj Joshi. Its senior officers include a Senior Economic Advisor covering pricing, FDI and NIPER, a Joint Secretary for pharmaceutical policy and the Janaushadhi scheme, and a Joint Secretary for medical devices and related divisions.

Locations

Its Contact Us page gives Room No. 340B, A-Wing, 3rd Floor, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Its Who's Who lists the Secretary's office at Kartavya Bhawan-02, with other officers at Kartavya Bhawan-01 and the YMCA Building on Jai Singh Road, all in New Delhi. The site gives more than one office address, so confirm the right office before you visit.