New Delhi: The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has invited applications from eligible stakeholders to set up common facilities for medical device clusters in the country, under the scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI).
It has also extended the timeline for submission of applications for two sub-schemes under the scheme, for which the DoP has called for applications recently, till the end of this month.
The move is part of its efforts to support the domestic medical devices industry in the country and strengthen its operations to reduce import dependence and clinical studies.
In a latest announcement, the DoP has invited applications from eligible applicants for the sub-scheme of Common Facilities for Medical Device Clusters (CFMDC), seeking submission of applications before 6 pm on January 31, 2026. Applications will be considered on First In, First Out (FIFO) basis.
Proposals may be submitted to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the authorized Project Management Agency of DoP, through Udyamimitra portal, set up to provide financial and non-financial services to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Priority will be given to those who have own land and building (need based civil work expenses to be taken in project cost) and are interested in strengthening their existing testing facilities with installation of additional equipment and to certain testing facilities.
This includes the functional testing under certain standards for cardiac implants and delivery system; functional testing (all ISO/ASTM standards) where specialized testing equipment other than Universal Testing Machine is required; and testing for IEC particular standard or any other internationally recognised standard for diagnostic and therapeutic equipment only for particular standards (functional testing) for high-frequency surgical equipment, endoscopic equipment, infusion pumps, X-ray, and MRI scanner.
Priority will also be given to setting up of MRI compatibility testing for metallic implants; usability engineering for all medical devices; and clinical performance evaluation for Class B, C, and D in vitro medical devices, added the Department.
The objective of the sub-scheme Common Facilities for Medical Device Clusters is to strengthen existing infrastructure by providing financial assistance to medical device clusters for creating Common Infrastructure Facilities, boosting domestic manufacturing capacity and improving cluster quality and to strengthen availability of more Medical Device Testing Laboratories in order to boost manufacturing of quality medical devices.
Recently, the DoP has invited applications under two sub-schemes –Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence, and Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme — under the Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry.
The Scheme SMDI is aimed to strengthen the medical device industry by providing support in critical areas, including manufacturing of key components and accessories, skill development, support for clinical studies, development of common infrastructure, and industry promotion.
Proposals for the two sub-schemes are to be submitted to the Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC), the authorised Project Management Agency of DoP. Deadline for the submission of application was earlier fixed as 6 pm on January 10, 2026, which has now been extended to 6 pm on January 31, 2026.
The Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence is aimed to promote domestic production of key components, raw materials and accessories used in manufacturing of medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices, in order to reduce dependence of Indian medical device manufacturers on imported key components and raw materials and increase the depth of India’s value chains.
Medical Device Clinical Studies Support Scheme is to support the medical device industry by fostering development of devices supported by clinical evidence and generation of clinical data that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the devices manufactured in India. This is expected to promote manufacturing of quality products with better efficacy and safety. It is also envisaged to enhance credibility of domestic manufacturers to produce high quality products, opening up opportunities for them in markets outside the country.
The Central government has introduced the scheme ‘Strengthening of Medical Device Industry’ on November 8, 2024, with five sub-schemes including some of the existing ones, with an outlay of Rs. 500 crore and tenure of the Scheme is three years from Financial Year 2024-25 to FY 2026-27.
The other sub-schemes under SMDI include ‘Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Device Sector’, and ‘Medical Device Promotion Scheme’.
Capacity Building and Skill Development in Medical Device Sector is with the main objective to fill the gap existing in the education and research in medical devices sector and to ensure quality teaching, training and nurturing excellence in Medical Technology education for generating critical mass of trained human resource to meet the requirements of rapidly innovating multidisciplinary areas of Medical Technology and create R&D ecosystem for the sector.
Medical Device Promotion Scheme is to promote Medical Device Industry by bringing industry leaders, academia and policy makers together to share their knowledge and experience for overall development of the sector as well as to facilitate growth and development of the sector through conducting studies, organizing awareness programmes, creation of databases and promotion of industry.
