Pharma Exports Reach $30.47 Billion in FY25; Biopharma SHAKTI to Boost India’s Global Market Share

New Delhi Feb 21, 2026: India’s pharmaceutical exports have crossed the $30 billion mark, as policymakers and industry leaders gathered in Ahmedabad for a Chintan Shivir focused on scaling up global outreach and strengthening domestic capabilities.

Pharmaceutical exports stood at USD 30.47 billion in FY 2024–25, registering a 9.4% year-on-year growth, reinforcing India’s position as a leading global supplier of affordable medicines.

India’s Global Pharma Footprint Expands

The sector, currently valued at around USD 60 billion, is projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030. India ranks third globally by volume, exporting medicines to more than 200 countries.

Key export markets include:

United States (34%)
Europe (19%)

Industry representatives expressed readiness to target double-digit export growth in 2026–27, backed by regulatory reforms and stronger global trade engagement.

₹10,000 Crore Biopharma SHAKTI Initiative

A major highlight of the discussions was the proposed Biopharma SHAKTI initiative, announced in the Union Budget 2026–27.

With an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years, the initiative aims to:

Strengthen India’s ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars
Reduce import dependence
Enhance competitiveness in global biopharma supply chains
Capture 5% of the global biopharmaceutical market

Strengthening Regulatory & Research Infrastructure

Key proposals discussed include:

Establishment of three new NIPERs
Upgradation of seven existing NIPERs
Development of 1,000+ accredited clinical trial sites
Capacity expansion of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with specialised scientific personnel

Regulatory alignment and faster approvals were identified as critical for sustaining export growth, especially for MSMEs facing compliance challenges.

Focus on High-Value Segments

Panel sessions emphasised transitioning from volume-driven exports to high-value segments such as:

Biologics
Biosimilars
Innovation-driven pharmaceutical products

Exporters were also briefed on trade opportunities with the European Union and the United States, particularly in regulated markets.

Industry Participation

The event saw participation from:

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL)

Around 200 exporters, primarily from western India, attended the interaction.

The Ahmedabad discussions reinforced the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s pharmaceutical export ecosystem, improving regulatory predictability, and positioning the country as a trusted global partner in healthcare supply chains.