Govt extends application deadline for Bulk Drugs PLI scheme

Under two rounds of PLI scheme inviting applications, a total of 49 projects have been approved so far for 33 critical APIs with a committed investment of Rs3,685 crore.

However, some slots have been left vacant under “Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in the Country” - shortly called as PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs.

The department is implementing three PLI schemes, viz, PLI scheme for bulk drugs (Rs6,940 crore), PLI scheme for medical devices (Rs3,420 crore) and PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals (Rs15,000 crore) to increase domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs, medical devices and pharmaceuticals respectively and to create global champions in the field of pharmaceuticals and medical devices (IVDs).

PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, approved by the cabinet in the year 2020, is the flagship scheme, aiming to attain self-reliance and reduce import dependence of critical KSMs/DIs/APIs and attract large investments in the API sector. To realise the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat, setting up of green field plants with minimum domestic value addition of 90 per cent in four different target segments (Two Fermentation based and Two Chemical Synthesis based) with a total outlay of Rs6,940 cr. for the period 2020-21 to 2028-29 will be undertaken.

Under two rounds of inviting applications, a total 49 projects have been approved for 33 critical APIs with a committed investment of Rs3,685 crore. It is to inform that against a notified quantity of about 44,000 MT of annual production capacity of these APIs, industry has responded very well with the committed production capacity of 83,270 MT. Minister for chemicals and fertilisers Mansukh Madaviya, while interacting with the commissioned projects under the PLI scheme on 25 February 2022, had complimented the industry representatives for this achievement towards attaining the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for self-reliance in critical drugs. He encouraged the industry to invest in the area of research and innovation for sustainable global competitiveness by allocating adequate resources.

IFCI Ltd, a statutory non-banking finance company in the public sector, is the project management agency for this PLI scheme. Details of the schemes can be accessed at https://pharmaceuticals.gov.in/schemes and the Bulk Drug Industries can apply for the vacant slots at https://plibulkdrugs.ifciltd.com/