The government announced that the Jan Aushadhi Kendras network has expanded significantly, from 84 operational centers in 2014 to over 19,200 Kendras nationwide by 2026. This growth has made quality generic medicines more accessible and affordable for millions of citizens. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s pharmaceutical sector has undergone substantial development in the past 12 years.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers highlighted the success of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) as one of the Department of Pharmaceuticals’ major achievements. Notably, the scheme has seen substantial growth in remote areas, including the eight North Eastern states, where the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras has risen from one in 2014 to 417 in 2026.
Various states have shown significant progress under the scheme, with Uttar Pradesh leading the country with 4,042 JAKs, followed by Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The initiative has enabled citizens to save over Rs 40,000 crore on healthcare expenses by providing access to quality generic medicines at reduced prices.
The government’s efforts to enhance domestic manufacturing and reduce import reliance include the launch of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices in 2020-21. The PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals has attracted substantial investments and generated significant sales, creating employment opportunities for a large number of individuals. Similarly, the PLI Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices has also seen investments and sales, contributing to self-reliance in the MedTech sector.
