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India's MAHA MedTech Mission Aims to Make Country Global MedTech Exporter

The MAHA MedTech Mission is a strategic initiative to transform India into a global exporter of medical technologies, particularly targeting low and middle-income countries. Key reforms include removing a mandatory three-year existence requirement for startups to accelerate innovation and access to grants. The mission emphasizes rigorous clinical validation and regulatory guidance through platforms like "MedTech Mitra" to ensure compliance with international standards. This collaborative effort involves government bodies, research foundations, and industry leaders to balance rapid innovation with patient safety and data privacy.

Key Points: India's MAHA MedTech Mission Targets Global Medical Tech Hub Status

  • Aims to position India as a global MedTech exporter
  • Reforms to accelerate domestic innovation ecosystem
  • Focus on clinical validation for international standards
  • Multi-stakeholder collaboration for policy and outreach
3 min read

MAHA MedTech Mission aims to position India as global exporter of medical technologies

India launches MAHA MedTech Mission to become a global exporter of AI-driven medical technologies, focusing on innovation, regulatory reform, and collaboration.

"Removing this 3-year blockage makes it possible for innovators to apply for MedTech grants much earlier in their journey. - T Thangaradjou"

New Delhi, February 17

The MAHA MedTech Mission aims for India to emerge as an exporter of medical technologies, focusing on providing scalable solutions to low-income and middle-income countries. This objective marks a shift in the national healthcare strategy, positioning the country as a critical hub for AI-driven medical innovation.

At a session during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where stakeholders discussed co-creating the MedTech frontier, T Thangaradjou, Scientist F at the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), stated that the mission is a collaborative initiative involving the ANRF, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Gates Foundation.

Speaking at the summit, he highlighted reforms designed to accelerate the domestic innovation ecosystem. "Removing this 3-year blockage, It makes it possible for innovators to apply for MedTech grants much earlier in their journey," Thangaradjou said, referencing the removal of the mandatory three-year existence requirement for deep-tech startups to obtain research recognition.

The government is also prioritising the clinical validation of these technologies to meet international standards. Taruna Madan Gupta, Scientist G and Head of the Development Research Division at ICMR, reiterated that the clinical evaluation of medical devices with compliance is mandatory.

She noted that standardised data sets are now available for developing AI-based prediction and diagnostics. To facilitate this, the "MedTech Mitra" platform provides regulatory guidance and individual advice to ensure that studies are acceptable to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for marketing licensing.

Regarding the dual focus on development and safety, Gupta said, "The Government is conscious of the need to balance both. CDSCO is developing new guidelines on AI in healthcare, while ICMR is revising its frameworks to support both innovation and rigorous validation."

She added that this regulatory effort is supported by investments in 84 new clinical trial sites and over 30 Centres for Advanced Research for innovation evaluation.

Industry representatives emphasised that AI-enabled MedTech is becoming more accessible and impactful. Gaurav Agarwal, Co-Chairman of the CII National Medical Technology Forum, noted that AI in manufacturing helps bridge manpower gaps and improves productivity.

From a clinical perspective, Kinjal Saxena, Chief Product and Technology Officer at AIG Hospitals, underlined the importance of building patient trust and involving medical experts from the outset of AI implementation.

The session concluded with a consensus that coordinated policy reforms and multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential for global outreach. Christian Wickert, Head of Global Digital Policy at Merck KGaA, emphasised that evolving policies must align with technological advancements and stressed the importance of secure data access and privacy.

Through these combined efforts, India intends to meet domestic needs while serving as a global hub for affordable MedTech solutions.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the vision is great, I hope the focus on "clinical validation" and "rigorous validation" mentioned by ICMR is real and not just on paper. We've seen many health tech products fail in real-world Indian hospital conditions. Patient trust is key, as the article says. The proof will be in the pudding.
R
Rohit P
MedTech Mitra platform sounds very useful for startups navigating CDSCO regulations, which can be a maze. If they truly provide hand-holding, it will accelerate innovation. The collaboration with Gates Foundation adds credibility. Hope the benefits reach tier-2 and tier-3 city innovators, not just Bangalore/Hyderabad.
S
Sarah B
Interesting read. As someone working in global health, India's potential to drive down costs for diagnostic and predictive AI tools is massive. The dual focus on development and safety is crucial for international adoption. The 84 new trial sites are a significant investment. Watching this space closely.
V
Vikram M
AI in manufacturing to bridge manpower gaps is smart. But the real challenge is making these AI-driven devices work reliably in primary health centres (PHCs) with limited internet and power. Scalable solutions must be built for *our* ground reality first, then they can work anywhere.
K
Karthik V
Hope this leads to more high-quality jobs in the MedTech R&D sector within India. We have the engineering talent. With proper funding and clear policies, we can definitely become a hub. The mention of standardised datasets for AI development is a critical piece of infrastructure. Good step.

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