India’s pharma exports, currently valued at nearly USD 27.8 billion, are expected to cross USD 30 billion by the end of this year, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said.

He added that the domestic pharma market, estimated at USD 60 billion, is set to double, reaching USD 130 billion by 2030.

The Minister made these remarks following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Executed through DBT’s Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council (UPPPC), the agreement aims to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in India’s pharma, biotech, and MedTech sectors through a centre–state partnership model.  

Highlighting the rapid growth of India’s biotech sector, Dr. Singh noted that the number of biotech startups has grown from around 50 in 2014 to over 11,000 today, reflecting the sector’s potential to drive the country’s economic and healthcare goals.

He also noted that India is now recognised as a global supplier of vaccines, producing more than 60 percent of the world’s vaccines and exporting to over 200 countries.  

Currently, India has around 800 medical device manufacturers, and the MedTech sector is growing at an annual rate of 15–20 percent, Dr Singh said.    

He attributed the growth to policy support and a whole-of-government approach under which the DBT and its agencies have been reaching out to states to build collaborations.  

Dr. Singh said the new DBT–UP partnership help advance the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and reinforce India’s position as a provider of affordable healthcare solutions “made in India, made for the world.”

DBT Secretary and BIRAC Chairman Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale said the agreement would “unlock innovation pipelines and scale up affordable technologies.”

Senior officials from Uttar Pradesh highlighted the state’s ambition to become a hub for pharma, biotech, and MedTech, citing projects such as the Biotech Park in Lucknow, the Medical Device Park in Greater Noida, and the Bulk Drug & Pharma Park in Lalitpur. 

Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, said these initiatives would be scaled up to nurture startups and foster research collaborations that can transform healthcare delivery.

Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, added that the partnership will prioritise skill development, incubation, and commercialisation, ensuring innovations reach markets faster and generate wider social and economic benefits.

The signing ceremony was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Amit Kumar Ghosh and senior officials from DBT, BIRAC, and the Uttar Pradesh government.