§1Who it is for

  • Greenfield makers of 41 notified bulk drugs (KSMs, DIs, APIs)

Useful if

API makers studying the policy; suppliers to bulk drug parks.

Do not spend time on it if

Small formulators expecting upfront support.

§2Eligibility

  1. Greenfield projects for the 41 notified bulk drugs (PIB).
  2. Detailed eligibility (minimum investment per product, net worth) is in DoP guidelines — see the official guideline.

§3Benefits

  • Fermentation-based products: 20% of incremental sales for first four years (2023-24 to 2026-27), 15% in fifth year (2027-28), 5% in sixth year (2028-29).
  • Chemical synthesis products: 10% for all six years (2022-23 to 2027-28).

§4Norms — pattern of assistance

  1. Incentive for six years on incremental sales over the base year.
  2. Investment committed ₹4,329.95 crore over six years; ₹4,763.34 crore invested by Sep 2025 (PIB Dec 2025).

§5Documents

Not published

The guideline does not list the documents. Ask the portal or bank before you apply — we do not make up lists.

§6How to apply

  1. 1

    No open window found. Check Department of Pharmaceuticals scheme page.

§7Pros and cons

Merits

  • High rate (20%) for fermentation products recognises their cost disadvantage (PIB backgrounder).
  • Import substitution of ₹1,807.32 crore reported till Sep 2025 (PIB Dec 2025).

Demerits

  • Lok Sabha reply (Aug 2026): land acquisition, environmental clearance, high utility costs and long gestation delayed commissioning — only ₹87.70 crore of ₹6,940 crore paid by March 2026.
  • Incentive comes only after sales start, so delays push cash flow back.
  • PLI pays only on incremental sales over a base year, so a new or small firm with no base-year sales or below the thresholds gets nothing (scheme design, PIB 2026).

→Related schemes

Need help with PLI Bulk Drugs?

Eligibility check, DPR and application file — ask us on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp usServices

Our interestHelp is our paid service. You can also apply for the scheme yourself.

Sources

  1. PIB Cabinet, 11 Nov 2020: PLI for 10 key sectors (outlay table)
  2. PIB backgrounder, Jan 2025: Department of Pharmaceuticals schemes (bulk drugs, medical devices rates)
  3. PIB, 2 Dec 2025: PLI for pharmaceutical and medical devices (status)
  4. PIB, 7 Aug 2026: Lok Sabha reply — PLI for pharmaceutical sectors (disbursement till March 2026)

Checked on 18 October 2026. For information only — confirm with the department or bank. Spotted a mistake? Report it.