← Government Schemes & Missions: Industry & Infrastructure (all topics)
PLI Scheme - pharmaceuticals
What it is
Production Linked Incentive scheme for pharmaceuticals, approved Feb 2021 with a Rs 15,000 cr outlay to FY29, paying incentives on incremental sales of high-value products - biopharmaceuticals, complex generics, patented and orphan drugs
55 companies selected including 22 MSMEs; a separate Bulk Drugs PLI (2020, Rs 6,940 cr) covers KSMs, intermediates and APIs
Impact on industries
- Investment ran ahead of commitment - ~Rs 45,158 cr invested by Mar 2026 vs Rs 17,275 cr committed, on cumulative sales of ~Rs 3.35 lakh cr
- Import substitution delivered: 191 bulk drugs made in India for the first time and ~55,000 MT across 26 critical APIs; penicillin G now exported
- Disbursal lags outlay, and the incentive window closes across FY26-29 with cost competitiveness after it untested
- Benefit skews to players able to fund capacity ahead of receipt; small units participate mainly via the bulk-drug window