With around 80-85% of India’s medical devices needs currently being met through imports, both the government and domestic medtech companies are accelerating efforts to develop high-end equipment locally. This push aims to reduce dependency, make healthcare more affordable, and promote innovation within the country.
In a key move, AIIMS New Delhi recently announced that it will install India’s first homegrown 1.5 Tesla MRI machine by October this year. The project is being developed in collaboration with SAMEER, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
Read also: AIIMS to Install India’s First Indigenous MRI Scanner for Clinical Testing
Meanwhile, Bengaluru-based Voxelgrids Innovations, the country’s first indigenous MRI scanner manufacturer, has received approval from the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) to commercially produce and sell MRI machines. According to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, India imported $8.1 billion worth of medical devices in FY24, while exports stood at $3.7 billion.
Voxelgrids’ CEO, Arjun Arunachalam, highlighted that their MRI systems could cost up to 50% less than existing imported machines, which typically range from ₹3 crore to ₹4.5 crore.
High-end medical devices—such as MRI and PET/CT scanners and surgical robots—are complex, costly, and used for advanced diagnostics and treatments. India is now actively working to bring such technologies under domestic production.
Indigenous Innovations in the Pipeline
At IIT Kanpur, a multidisciplinary team is developing Hridayantra, India’s first indigenously designed Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)—an artificial heart pump. Their goal is to create a device that can support heart function for 10-12 years. A prototype is ready, and the team is seeking ethical approvals for animal testing, with hopes to commercialize the product by 2027. The expected price of the implant is ₹10-15 lakh, significantly lower than the current market cost of ₹70-80 lakh.
In another initiative, Gurugram-based SS Innovations is developing a pediatric surgical robotic system and mobile operating room. The company also launched SSI Mantra, India’s first mobile tele-robotic surgery unit. Founder Dr. Sudhir Srivastava emphasized that indigenous manufacturing has significantly lowered operational and consumable costs for such systems.
Benefits of Local Manufacturing
Industry experts note that domestically produced medical devices help reduce the overall cost of treatment. Himanshu Baid, MD of Poly Medicure, pointed out that imported devices come with high procurement, maintenance, and consumable costs. In contrast, local production benefits from lower manufacturing expenses, fewer import duties, and easier access to spare parts.
Additionally, better service and shorter response times from local suppliers enhance healthcare outcomes and reduce hospital downtimes.
Policy Support and Market Impact
The government’s recent ban on the import of pre-owned and refurbished medical equipment—due to safety concerns—has created fresh opportunities for domestic players, especially those under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Refurbished devices, often sourced from the US, Germany, and Singapore, previously accounted for a ₹1,500 crore market, serving many smaller towns and rural areas.
Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), said this move levels the playing field, giving local manufacturers a better shot at competing and planning for long-term demand.
As India builds its capacity to produce cutting-edge medical technology, the medtech industry is poised to play a central role in making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and self-reliant.
