Exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals from the country have reported a growth of around 4.9% during the first six months of the current fiscal year, at $16.13 billion, as compared to $15.38 billion during the same period of previous year.
According to the preliminary data from the ministry of commerce and industry, exports grew 3.04% during the second quarter of fiscal year, from July to September, 2026, at $8.035 billion, as compared to $7.798 billion during the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal year. Exports during the month of September, 2026, reported a growth of around 4.7% at $2.744 billion, as compared to $2.621 billion registered during the same month of previous fiscal year.
In rupee terms, exports grew 15.45% to Rs. 1,53,525.19 crore during the six-month period from April to September, 2026, as compared to Rs. 1,32,978.03 crore registered in the corresponding six months of the previous fiscal year. During the second quarter ended September, 2026, Rs. 76,817.67 crore worth of exports took place, as compared to Rs. 68,087.49 crore exports in the same period a year ago, registering a growth of 12.8%. In the month of September, 2026, exports in rupee terms grew 13.15% at Rs. 26,195.84 crore, as compared to Rs. 23,152.20 crore exports reported in the same month of last year.
Imports of medicinal plants and pharmaceutical products grew 2.48% during the six months ended September, 2026, at $4.773 billion, as against $4.657 billion in the same period last year. During the second quarter of the fiscal year, from July to September, 2026, imports declined 4.31% to $2.306 billion, as against $2.410 billion during the same quarter a year ago. Imports declined marginally at 0.19% to $768.42 million during the month of September, 2026, from $769.91 million, according to the data from the Ministry.
In rupee terms, the imports grew 12.8% during the first six months of FY27, at Rs. 45,414.03 crore, from Rs. 40,259.67 crore during the same period of FY 26. During the second quarter, imports grew 4.8% at Rs. 22,054.22 crore, from Rs. 21,036.84 crore reported in the same quarter of previous fiscal year. For the month of September, 2026, the imports grew 7.88% in rupee terms, to Rs. 7,335.68 crore from Rs. 6,800.05 crore during the same month of last year.
As reported earlier, India’s exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals has registered a growth of 2.13% during the financial year 2025-26, as compared to a 9.39% growth reported during the financial year 2024-25. Exports during the month of March, 2026 declined 23.17% compared to the same month of previous year.
Exports during the period from April, 2025 to March, 2026 stood at $31.12 billion, as compared to $30.47 billion reported during the same period of previous fiscal year. The fiscal year 2025-26 has seen turbulence in trade owing to the global economic situation, threats related to trade tariffs from the United States of America, and a supply chain disturbance owing to the Middle East crisis.
Imports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to the country during FY26 grew 7.81% to $9.61 billion, compared to Rs. 8.92 billion during the previous fiscal year.
As reported earlier, the exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals from the country registered a 9.39 per cent growth during the financial year 2024-25 at $30.47 billion, as compared to $27.85 billion reported in the previous year.
The Economic Survey 2025-26, stated that India currently ranks 11th globally in pharmaceutical exports by value, with exports to 191 countries in 2024-25, of which 50 percent are directed to highly regulated markets such as the United States and Europe, reflecting wide international acceptance of Indian medicines.
