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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 356
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3rd FEBRUARY, 2026
India’s dependence on imported APIs
356 Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu:
Will the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers be pleased to state:
(a) the extent of India’s dependence on imported Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
across the pharmaceutical value chain;
(b) the major source countries and therapeutic segments with high import dependence; and
(c) whether any risks arising from geopolitical uncertainties have been identified and the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): In FY 2024-25, India imported 200 categories of APIs, bulk drugs, and drug
intermediates worth approximately USD 4.35 billion, as per HSN (Harmonised System of
Nomenclature) based import data. China accounted for about 73.7% of these imports. The
details of major source countries with high import dependence are placed at Annexure.
Therapeutic segments with high imports dependence include antibiotics, anti-fungal, anti-
amoebic, gastrointestinal disorders, antidiabetic, endocrine and hormonal disorders,
cardiovascular, oncology, female infertility, contraception, neurology/substance use disorders
and essential amino acid deficiency.
(c): Potential risks related to import of APIs arising from geopolitical uncertainties include
Single-Source vulnerability, Price volatility and predatory pricing. Such single source
vulnerabilities threaten self-reliance and pharmaceutical security as experienced during
COVID-19 period.Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) and (b) of the Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question
No. 356, to be answered on 3.2.2026
i. The list of major source countries with high import dependence:
S. Import from Globe for Bulk drugs
Value (in $ Mn) Share (%)
No and drug intermediates
1 China 3,204.67 73.71
2 European Union 593.13 13.64
3 Singapore 108.27 2.49
4 United States of America 85.18 1.96
5 Japan 78.97 1.82
6 Switzerland 44.67 1.03
7 Mexico 34.79 0.80
8 United Kingdom 33.25 0.76
9 Hongkong 22.99 0.53
10 Malaysia 22.37 0.51
11 Others 119.47 2.75
Total 4,347.75 100.00
Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS)
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