9th India Medical Device 2026 Conference Launches in New Delhi
The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), organized the two-day 9th India Medical Device 2026 conference at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The conference theme was "Towards Viksit Bharat: Advancing India as a Global Hub for Quality Medical Devices" and brought together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to strengthen India's position in the global medical devices sector.
Secretary of Department of Pharmaceuticals Shri Manoj Joshi emphasized the dual perspective of viewing the medical devices sector from both healthcare access and industrial development angles. He noted that while healthcare providers focus on access to quality devices regardless of origin, domestic manufacturing is critical for employment generation, strengthening industrial capabilities, and ensuring supply chain resilience during global disruptions. Joshi highlighted India's significant progress in local manufacturing of consumables, disposables, and assembly of high-end equipment including diagnostics and imaging systems.
The Secretary called for a strategic shift beyond import substitution toward building an export-oriented industry serving global markets. He presented market size comparisons, noting that while the Indian medical devices market is valued at approximately $16 billion, the global market exceeds $600 billion, offering substantial opportunities for Indian manufacturers. To realize this potential, he emphasized the need to deepen domestic value addition, strengthen component manufacturing, promote innovation in advanced medical technologies, enhance quality standards, facilitate seamless cross-border movement of components and products, integrate India into global value chains, and foster stronger partnerships between startups and large industries.
Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), stated that India's medical devices sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation from an import-driven market to a domestic manufacturing-led ecosystem. He highlighted the need to strengthen indigenous capabilities in high-end Class C and Class D medical devices and in vitro diagnostics, while ensuring faster, transparent, and predictable regulatory approvals.
Industry representatives including Shri Tushar Sharma, Chair of FICCI Medical Devices Committee and Managing Director & GM of India & South Asia at Abbott Healthcare, emphasized substantial industry investments in India through R&D centers, Global Capability Centers, software and engineering hubs, clinical research, manufacturing, service networks, and workforce development. These investments not only strengthen patient care but also contribute to skilled job creation, local capability development, and positioning India as an important hub for global MedTech operations.
Ms. Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI, outlined that the next growth phase will be defined by India's ability to foster innovation, strengthen research and development, build resilient supply chains, develop advanced manufacturing capabilities, promote globally harmonized quality standards, leverage digital technologies, and expand India's footprint in international markets.
A key highlight of the conference was the unveiling of the White Paper titled "Strengthening of Service and Maintenance of Medical Equipment in India," which calls for developing a robust and sustainable service and maintenance ecosystem to ensure the safety, reliability, longevity, and uninterrupted performance of medical equipment across the country.