Second Call for Applications Under ₹5,000 Crore PRIP Scheme to Boost Pharma & MedTech Innovation announced

1. At a Glance

• PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) with an outlay of ₹5,000 crore to shift India's Pharma-MedTech sector from cost-based to innovation-based growth [1].
• The second call for applications invites industry and startup projects worth about ₹11,000 crore in combined R&D investment [2].
• Relevant for Prelims (scheme facts, outlay, CoEs) and Mains GS-II/III (pharma self-reliance, innovation ecosystem, health infrastructure).
• Reflects India's push to move beyond "generics pharmacy of the world" branding toward original drug/device innovation.

2. Why in the News

• DoP announced the second call for proposals under PRIP, inviting industry and startups to submit projects for R&D support, following amendments notified on 01.10.2025 to improve governance and benefit-sharing clarity [1][2].

3. Background & Evolution

• PRIP notified on 17.08.2023, for the period 2023-24 to 2027-28 (5 years) [3].
• Objective: transform Indian Pharma-MedTech sector from cost-based manufacturing to innovation-driven, globally competitive R&D [3].
• First call for proposals launched subsequently under the original guidelines; scheme later amended (01.10.2025) for smoother implementation, clearer governance, and more effective benefit-sharing mechanisms [1].
• Second call for applications launched under the amended framework [1][2].

4. Core Static Facts

Item	Detail
Scheme name	Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP)
Implementing department	Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers [3]
Total outlay	₹5,000 crore [1][3]
Duration	2023-24 to 2027-28 (5 years) [3]
Notified date	17.08.2023 [3]; amended 01.10.2025 [1]
Expected projects	~300 projects [1][3]
Total catalysed R&D investment	~₹11,000 crore [1][2][3]
Centres of Excellence (CoEs)	7 CoEs, one at each National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), outlay ₹700 crore [3]
MSME/startup early-stage support	Projects up to ₹9 crore eligible for assistance up to ₹5 crore [1]
Focus areas	New medicines, complex generics, biosimilars, novel medical devices [1][3]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Aims to reduce India's dependence on imported APIs/high-value devices by building domestic innovation capacity, supporting the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat push in pharma [4].
• Catalytic effect: ₹5,000 crore government outlay expected to leverage ₹11,000 crore in total sector R&D investment [1][3].

Scientific/Technological

• Direct funding for R&D in new chemical/biological entities, complex generics, biosimilars, and novel medical devices — moving India up the value chain from formulation manufacturing to original innovation [3].
• Seven CoEs at NIPERs build research infrastructure and human capital for sustained innovation [3].

Administrative

• Structured as sequential "calls for applications," allowing phased, competitive selection of projects rather than one-time disbursal.
• Recent amendment (Oct 2025) specifically addressed governance clarity and benefit-sharing — signals implementation-stage friction was identified and corrected [1].

Governance/Ethical

• Benefit-sharing mechanisms indicate provisions for equitable returns from publicly funded research (e.g., IP/royalty sharing), relevant to India's innovation-policy debates on public-funded R&D outcomes [1].

Social

• Support ceiling for MSMEs/startups (up to ₹5 crore assistance on ₹9 crore projects) targets small innovators, not just large pharma firms, widening participation [1].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 01.10.2025: PRIP scheme amended and notified to improve implementation clarity and benefit-sharing [1].
• 2025-26: Second call for applications launched, inviting projects worth ~₹11,000 crore [1][2].
• DoP conducted industry dialogues/workshops on PRIP at Bengaluru and Mumbai (13 March 2025) to sensitize stakeholders ahead of application cycles [5][6].
• First call for proposals was issued earlier (post-2023 notification), also targeting ~₹11,000 crore projects [2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• PRIP scheme outlay: ₹5,000 crore.
• Implementing department: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (not Ministry of Health).
• Scheme period: 2023-24 to 2027-28 (5 years).
• Original notification date: 17 August 2023.
• Scheme amended and re-notified: 1 October 2025.
• Expected number of projects supported: ~300.
• Total catalysed R&D investment target: ~₹11,000 crore.
• Number of Centres of Excellence set up: 7, one at each NIPER.
• CoE outlay: ₹700 crore.
• MSME/startup early-stage project cap: ₹9 crore project cost, assistance up to ₹5 crore.
• Focus innovation areas: new medicines, complex generics, biosimilars, novel medical devices.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Science & Technology — indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Indian economy — issues relating to industrial growth (pharmaceutical sector).
• GS-II (secondary): Government policies and interventions for development in the health/pharma sector.
• Possible question stems:
• "Discuss the significance of the PRIP scheme in transforming India's Pharma-MedTech sector from a generics-based to an innovation-based economy." (GS-III)
• "Examine the challenges in India's pharmaceutical R&D ecosystem and assess how schemes like PRIP address them." (GS-III)
• "India remains heavily dependent on imported APIs despite being the 'pharmacy of the world.' Critically analyse government measures, including PRIP, to address this paradox." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals — related manufacturing-incentive scheme, often confused with PRIP.
• Bulk Drug Parks & API import dependence — structural vulnerability PRIP indirectly addresses.
• National Policy on Research & Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector — the policy from which PRIP derives.
• NIPERs (National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) — host institutions for CoEs.
• Startup India / Atal Innovation Mission — broader innovation-funding ecosystem PRIP overlaps with for MSME/startup support.
• Biosimilars and complex generics regulatory framework (CDSCO) — technical/regulatory context for PRIP's focus areas.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat in pharmaceuticals — overarching self-reliance narrative.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing PRIP (research/innovation funding, DoP) with PLI scheme for pharmaceuticals (manufacturing incentive, also DoP) — different objectives and outlays.
• Assuming Ministry of Health & Family Welfare implements PRIP — it is actually the Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• Mixing up the ₹5,000 crore government outlay with the ₹11,000 crore total catalysed R&D investment — these are different figures.
• Misremembering scheme launch year as 2023 without noting the 2025 amendment, which is the actual trigger for "second call" news.
• Assuming CoEs are new institutions — they are set up within existing NIPERs, not standalone bodies.