India’s Biopharma SHAKTI: A ₹10,000 Crore Bet to Revolutionise Health and Healthcare Innovation

Union Budget 2026, unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, put a strong spotlight on healthcare, especially with the ambitious Biopharma SHAKTI scheme — a transformative initiative designed to reshape India’s biopharmaceutical landscape and strengthen the health ecosystem. With a proposed outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years, this programme reflects the government’s commitment to not just improve domestic healthcare capacity but also position India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub.

At its core, Biopharma SHAKTI — which stands for Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation — aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem capable of producing advanced biological medicines and biosimilars. Biological drugs, derived from living organisms, are crucial in treating complex non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and genetic conditions. These drugs are inherently more challenging to manufacture than traditional chemical medicines, and historically India has relied heavily on imports or basic generics. The new scheme seeks to change that narrative.

🎯 Why Biopharma SHAKTI Matters

India’s disease burden has shifted dramatically in recent decades. Communicable diseases have receded, while non-communicable diseases — particularly cancer and diabetes — now account for a significant portion of mortality and chronic illness in the country. Recognising this shift, the Budget underscores the need for domestically produced, cutting-edge biological medicines that are both accessible and affordable.

Biopharma SHAKTI therefore isn’t just about boosting manufacturing — it’s about strategic self-reliance. It aims to reduce dependency on foreign biologics, making India less vulnerable to global tariff pressures and supply chain disruptions. In late 2025, the United States signalled possible steep tariffs on imported pharmaceutical drugs, prompting Indian policymakers to seek ways to strengthen the country’s biopharma footing — and this initiative comes right on time.

🧬 Building India’s Biopharma Ecosystem

The Biopharma SHAKTI programme is designed to be comprehensive — advancing infrastructure, research, regulation, and workforce capabilities:

• New and upgraded institutes: The scheme will establish three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) and upgrade seven existing ones to create a network focused on high-end biopharma research and innovation.
• Clinical trial expansion: A nationwide network of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites will be developed. This will not only expedite clinical research but also position India as a preferred destination for global trials.
• Regulatory strengthening: The Budget proposes bolstering the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with a dedicated scientific review cadre and specialists to enhance approval timelines and bring regulatory standards up to global benchmarks.
• Innovation and talent development: By fostering synergy between industry, academia, and research institutions, the initiative will nurture skilled professionals capable of driving high-impact biotech innovation.

🩺 The Budget’s Broader Health Agenda

While Biopharma SHAKTI stands out as a marquee initiative, the Union Budget 2026 also included other important health-focused measures:

• Allied health workforce expansion: The Budget plans to train one lakh new Allied Health Professionals in areas such as radiology, optometry, anaesthesia, and behavioural health over the next five years — a crucial move to address workforce gaps in Indian healthcare.
• Geriatric and caregiver support: A strengthened care ecosystem for the elderly is envisioned, with a plan to train 1.5 lakh multi-skilled caregivers in the coming year.
• Medical tourism & regional medical hubs: New integrated medical hubs are to be developed in partnership with the private sector, combining healthcare services with research and educational facilities — a strategy expected to attract both domestic and international patients.

These measures collectively signal a shift from fragmented health initiatives to a cohesive ecosystem balancing preventive care, innovation, infrastructure, and workforce empowerment.

🚀 What the Future Holds

If implemented effectively, Biopharma SHAKTI could be a game-changer for India’s healthcare sector. By nurturing an indigenous biopharma industry, India stands to:

• Dramatically reduce treatment costs for life-saving biologics.
• Strengthen economic growth through high-value manufacturing and research.
• Enhance global competitiveness in the fast-growing biosimilars and biologics market.

Beyond economics, the initiative resonates with a broader social promise: better health outcomes, reduced dependency on imports, and accessible innovation for all. As the world’s largest provider of affordable generic medicines, India now has a chance to lead in next-generation biologics as well — truly a transformative stride in the nation’s health journey.