India's pharma exports rise to $31.12 billion, 6.6% CAGR since 2014-15

The question asked the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to provide details on the growth of India's pharmaceutical exports, Maharashtra's specific contribution and district-wise data, and government initiatives supporting the pharmaceutical ecosystem in Maharashtra, particularly Pune.

Asked and answered by: Asked by Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe (MP); Answered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Minister Shri Piyush Goyal).

What the government said

• India's pharmaceutical exports increased from US$ 15.43 billion in 2014-15 to US$ 31.12 billion in 2025-26, representing a compound annual growth of about 6.6 per cent.
• Maharashtra contributes approximately 19 per cent of India's pharmaceutical exports, with its own exports rising from US$ 4.48 billion in 2021-22 to US$ 5.94 billion in 2025-26.
• Principal exporting districts in Maharashtra include Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Palghar, Raigad, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).
• Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, three approved applicants in Pune District have made a cumulative investment of Rs 1,867 crore and employed 1,254 persons as of March 2026.
• The Biopharma SHAKTI scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over five years to build a domestic ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars.
• BIRAC programmes in Maharashtra support 156 BIG startups, 32 SEED startups, 21 LEAP startups, and 47 PACE projects since 2014-15.
• The BioE3 Policy supports 23 initiatives in Maharashtra, and the National Biopharma Mission has supported 25 innovators in the state.
• In FY 2025-26, pharmaceutical employment in SEEPZ-SEZ Zone (Maharashtra) totaled 22,220 persons (7,654 in SEZ units and 14,566 in export-oriented units).

Also in the document

• The government stated that figures for 2025-26 are provisional.
• The answer provides district-wise export data for the last five years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26) in Annexure II, but does not provide a single consolidated figure for 'biotechnology hubs' employment separate from the SEZ/EOU totals.