The Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) has called on the Union government to prioritise the growth of India’s clinical research sector in the Union Budget 2026, emphasising the need for targeted policy support, increased public funding and streamlined regulatory frameworks.

According to ISCR, sustained government intervention is essential to strengthen India’s clinical research ecosystem, enhance global competitiveness and accelerate innovation, while ensuring faster access to safe and effective therapies for patients.

Dr Seema Pai, President of the Indian Society for Clinical Research, said the upcoming Union Budget presents a critical opportunity to build long-term capacity in the sector. She added, “As we get closer to the Union Budget 2026, we have a strong opportunity to strengthen the clinical research ecosystem of India by increasing investment in academic research, infrastructure and skill development.

ISCR highlighted the importance of supporting AI-enabled clinical trial data collection and analysis, wider adoption of digital health tools and deeper collaboration between academia and industry. The industry body noted that the measures could significantly accelerate evidence-based healthcare and help the life sciences and healthcare industry achieve a market size of USD 120-130 billion by 2030, with a long-term vision of reaching USD 450 billion by 2047.

Dr Pai further underscored that public-private partnerships involving academic institutions, policymakers, industry and patients should remain a cornerstone of research growth. These collaborations, she said, must focus on evidence-based data generation, effective use of technology and maintaining high standards of quality across the clinical research value chain.

The industry body also stressed the need to streamline regulatory processes, introduce incentives for research-led innovation and ease the import of advanced technologies used in clinical trials. Such reforms would strengthen India’s position as a trusted global hub for high-quality, ethical clinical research, while improving patient outcomes.