MAHA-MedTech Mission

The Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) – MedTech Mission has been launched jointly by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The mission aims to transform India into a global hub for affordable, high-quality, and cutting-edge medical technology (MedTech) innovation.

About the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Established under: ANRF Act, 2023
Purpose: Acts as the apex body for providing strategic direction to scientific research across disciplines.
Background: Formed as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to strengthen India’s research ecosystem.
Focus Areas: Promoting collaborative research, fostering innovation, and ensuring translation of research into real-world impact.

About MAHA-MedTech Mission

Aim

To accelerate research and innovation in India’s MedTech sector, reduce dependence on costly imports, and ensure equitable access to affordable and advanced medical technologies.

Funding Framework

Provides milestone-linked funding between ₹5–25 crore per project.
In exceptional cases, funding may go up to ₹50 crore.
Eligible entities:
- Academic & R&D institutions
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Startups and MSMEs
- MedTech industry players and multi-sector collaborations

Enabling Support Mechanisms

Patent Mitra: Facilitates intellectual property protection and technology transfer.
MedTech Mitra: Offers regulatory and compliance guidance to innovators.
Clinical Trial Network: Supports clinical validation and generation of medical evidence.

Focus Technology Areas

Advanced medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics (IVD)
High-end frontier technologies such as:
- Medical imaging and radiotherapy systems
- Robotics and minimally invasive devices
- Biomedical implants
- AI/ML-enabled diagnostic and therapeutic platforms

India’s MedTech Sector: Current Landscape

Recognised as a sunrise sector, with a market size of $14 billion, projected to reach $30 billion by 2030.
India’s medical device exports have crossed the $4 billion mark.
India ranks as the fourth-largest medical devices market in Asia, after Japan, China, and South Korea.

Supporting Government Policies

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for medical devices
PRIP Scheme – Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector
National Medical Device Policy, 2023
Medical Device Parks Scheme for infrastructure development and cost reduction

Significance

Strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in the healthcare technology domain.
Encourages public-private collaboration for faster product development and deployment.
Promotes research translation, ensuring Indian innovations reach hospitals and patients.
Enhances global competitiveness by integrating AI, robotics, and precision medicine into India’s MedTech landscape.

Exam-Oriented Facts

MAHA-MedTech Mission launched by ANRF, ICMR, and Gates Foundation.
Funding support: ₹5–25 crore per project (up to ₹50 crore exceptionally).
Focus: Affordable, indigenous MedTech innovation and import reduction.
ANRF created under the ANRF Act, 2023, following NEP 2020 recommendations.
India’s MedTech market size: $14 billion (2025) → $30 billion (2030 projection).