Home / Business and Economy / India's API Exports Outshine Imports Amidst China Dependence
India's API Exports Outshine Imports Amidst China Dependence
10 Mar
Summary
- India's API exports reached approximately Rs 41,500 crore last fiscal.
- API imports totaled Rs 39,215 crore, showing a trade surplus.
- A PLI scheme aims to reduce import dependence, especially from China.
India has achieved a significant milestone in its pharmaceutical sector, with active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) exports totaling approximately Rs 41,500 crore in the last fiscal year. This figure surpasses the total imports of APIs, which stood at Rs 39,215 crore during the same period. The Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, J P Nadda, highlighted this trade surplus in Rajya Sabha, emphasizing the central government's commitment to bolstering domestic production.
The government has actively pursued strategies to reduce import dependence, especially from China. Although China's share in India's API imports increased to 74% last fiscal from 70% in 2022-23, the overall export figures demonstrate a positive trend. To further promote self-reliance, a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme with an outlay of Rs 6,940 crore has been launched. This scheme specifically targets the manufacturing of key starting materials, drug intermediates, and APIs.
Under the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, domestic manufacturing capacity for 28 critical products has been established, amounting to approximately 56,800 tonnes per annum. As of December 2025, this scheme has led to cumulative sales of Rs 2,720 crore, including exports worth Rs 527.96 crore, effectively avoiding imports valued at Rs 2,192.04 crore. The initiative has also generated substantial employment, creating 4,896 jobs by December 2025.
