Draft open for stakeholder feedback
The plan calls for seven additional inland container depots, one special economic zone and Jewar airport. It would amend Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which governs the ports, airports, rail and road entry points, and other locations authorized for drug imports.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) lists the draft as Gazette notification G.S.R. 954(E), dated October 28, 2026. Stakeholders have 30 days from publication to submit objections or suggestions to the ministry.
The locations are not yet authorized under the proposal. Regulatory consultancy Operon Strategist says the changes would take effect only once the amendment is finalized and published in the Official Gazette.
Locations named for expansion
The ministry names Sonipat, Piala and Garhi Harsaru in Haryana, along with Dadri in Uttar Pradesh and Mundra in Gujarat. Its list also includes Sanathnagar and Thimmapur in Hyderabad, Whitefield in Bengaluru and Karnataka's Bommasandra special economic zone.
Only two inland container depots are currently authorized: Dhannad and Tihi, both in the Indore area of Madhya Pradesh. CDSCO's records show that Dhannad was notified through G.S.R. 653(E) on September 13, 2019, and Tihi through G.S.R. 848(E) on December 9, 2021.
For airports, Jewar would join Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram and Navi Mumbai as the fourth authorized location for pharmaceutical imports. Navi Mumbai International Airport received its authorization under Rule 43A through G.S.R. 561(E), dated July 2, 2026, after draft notification G.S.R. 66(E) of January 28, 2026, according to CDSCO.
Logistics goals and industry response
The ministry says clearance nearer factories, warehouses and distribution centers could shorten domestic transportation routes, cut logistics costs and reduce delays. Officials familiar with the proposal told Business Standard that the amendment is intended to simplify importing and strengthen healthcare supply chains.
The Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI) welcomed the plan, saying clearance near major healthcare and distribution hubs could make supply chains more efficient and lower costs for medical technology companies. The association also stressed that the timely availability of medical technologies can directly affect patient care.
The proposal comes against a backdrop of substantial reliance on imported medical devices. A Rubix Industry Insights report cited by DD News put India's FY2025 medical device imports at about $8.6 billion, compared with exports of $4.1 billion.
According to the report, imports meet 70–80% of domestic demand, particularly for high-end and technologically advanced equipment. Electro-medical equipment accounted for nearly 60% of medical device imports.
