In the Union Budget 2026-27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Biopharma SHAKTI, a flagship initiative with a Rs. 10,000 crore outlay over the next 5 years. Short for Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation, the programme aims to transform India into a global hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, specifically targeting the domestic production of biologics and biosimilars.

The scheme will establish 3 new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) and upgrade 7 existing ones to strengthen industry-academic collaboration.

A nationwide network of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites will be created to accelerate drug development timelines and enhance research credibility.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) will be strengthened with a dedicated scientific review cadre and specialists to align with global standards and ensure faster approval timeframes.

The initiative addresses India's shifting disease burden toward non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, where biological medicines are critical for treatment.