Department of Pharmaceuticals extends date of receipt of applications for PLI Scheme till end of March 2022

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers’ Department of Pharmaceuticals has extended the deadline for applications for vacant slots under the “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,” also known as the PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs, until the end of March 2022.

On January 27, 2022, the Department issued a notice soliciting applications for unfilled slots (10 APIs) under the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drug, with a deadline of March 13, 2022. Based on input from the industries/associations, the Department has decided to extend the deadline for submitting applications until March 31, 2022.

PLI schemes for Bulk Drugs (Rs.6,940 Cr), Medical Devices (Rs.3,420 Cr), and Pharmaceuticals (Rs.15,000 Cr) are being implemented by the Department to increase domestic manufacturing of Bulk Drugs, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals, respectively, and to create global champions in the fields of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (IVDs).

The flagship PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, approved by the Cabinet in 2020, aims to achieve self-reliance and reduce import dependence of vital KSMs, DIs, and APIs, as well as attract substantial investments in the API sector. Setting up green field plants with a minimum domestic value addition of 90% in four different target segments (two fermentation based and two chemical synthesis based) with a total outlay of Rs.6,940 cr. for the period 2020-21 to 2028-29 will be undertaken to realise the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

A total of 49 projects have been authorised for 33 important APIs with a committed investment of Rs.3,685 crore after two rounds of seeking applications. It is to notify you that industry has responded very effectively to a notified amount of around 44,000 MT of annual production capacity of these APIs, with a committed production capacity of 83,270 MT. On the 25th of February 2022, the Hon’ble Union Minister for C&F, Dr. Mansukh Madaviya, congratulated industry representatives for achieving the Prime Minister’s objective of self-reliance in key  medications while dealing with the commissioned projects under the PLI scheme. By allocating enough resources, he pushed industry to invest in research and innovation for long-term global competitiveness.

The Project Management Agency for this PLI scheme is IFCI Ltd, a statutory non-banking finance company in the public sector. The programmes details may be found at https://pharmaceuticals.gov.in/schemes, and Bulk Drug Industries can apply for open positions at https://plibulkdrugs.ifciltd.com/.