GOVERNMENT POLICIES, REFORMS & FUNDING INITIATIVES
TLDR; Nothing new from previous blog on Govt. Policies, Reforms and Funding Initiatives. The summary table is attached below.
Government policies, reforms & funding (relevant over next 60 days)
| Policy / Reform | What it does (short) | Why it matters in next 60 days | Key action for SIDMA (now – Apr 11) |
| RDI Scheme & RDI Fund (₹1 lakh cr) | Low / no‑interest long‑tenor funding for deep‑tech R&D (incl. med devices, diagnostics, lab tech). | Windows for proposals are open; can fund new product dev or scale‑up started this year. | Identify 1-2 deep‑tech projects (AI diagnostics, advanced instruments) and decide whether to file an RDI proposal this quarter. |
| Pharma Innovation Fund (₹1,500 cr) | Supports pharma / life‑science R&D, especially Tier II/III ecosystems. | Strong tie‑in with pharma manufacturing customers; linkage possible via joint proposals. | Talk to key pharma clients about ongoing / planned funded projects and position SIDMA equipment as part of their R&D capex. |
| PLI Scheme – Medical Devices | Incentives to Indian OEMs in imaging, radiotherapy, anaesthesia, implants. | PLI beneficiaries are actively expanding capacity and vendor base now. | Map PLI‑approved companies in your categories and start outreach for component supply / distribution / service partnerships within this 60‑day window. |
| Medical Device Parks (HP, TN, MP, UP) | Creates clusters with shared testing labs & infra for device manufacturing. | Parks are moving towards operational phases; vendor lists and partnerships are being built. | Register / express interest with relevant state industrial agencies as testing / equipment / service vendor before others lock in. |
| GFR & GeM procurement relaxations for research labs | Select R&D institutions can bypass GeM, use higher value thresholds, faster approvals. | Q4 (till Mar 31) + early Q1 is a big procurement window for labs. | Short‑list 10-20 key labs (CSIR, ICMR, IISc, IITs, etc.) and push direct institutional proposals for high‑end instruments in the next 4-6 weeks. |
| CDSCO digitalisation (Neutral export code + subsequent importer route) | Simplifies export codes & multi‑importer models for devices. | Any new SKUs / partners you add now for FY 2026‑27 will sit on this framework. | Clean up: ensure all active products are on CDSCO portal, export codes generated, and subsequent importers registered where needed. |
| NCSTC / SCOMET controls (Jan 2026) | Tightens export controls on dual‑use / high‑end scientific & biotech gear. | Export deals you close in this 60‑day window may need 8-12 week licensing. | Flag SKUs that may be dual‑use and start classification + license prep now so Q2 exports are not delayed. |
| GST reductions on certain devices & IVDs | Lower GST on some medical devices / tests, with NPPA oversight on MRPs. | Price / margin corrections should be fully implemented before FY close. | Verify GST rate & MRP alignment for your SKUs; fix any gaps before Mar 31 to avoid compliance issues. |
| Union Budget 2026‑27 (expected end‑Feb) | Likely changes in customs duty, health spend, possible tariff changes on devices. | Will directly affect landed costs & pricing this quarter. | Plan for rapid post‑Budget scenario analysis (import duty, PLI tweaks, any med‑device tariff move) and be ready to update price lists within 48 hours. |