NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – India has launched a comprehensive review to pinpoint approximately 100 imported products that local manufacturers could scale up production of. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is leading this initiative through six specialized teams. The assessment covers sectors including healthcare, transportation, energy, electronics, chemicals, textiles, and industrial machinery. The government has yet to release the finalized list or announce any product-specific incentives.
This effort comes amid India’s broader trade deficit concerns. Goods imports hit $774.98 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, up from $721.20 billion the previous year. Export figures reached $441.78 billion, resulting in a trade gap of $333.19 billion. Excluding petroleum, gems, and jewelry, imports increased to $498.56 billion, according to official data from the Commerce Ministry. These statistics highlight which sectors remain highly reliant on foreign supplies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2025 called on the central and state governments to identify 100 products suitable for local manufacturing. Subsequently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged companies to analyze official import records and expand production in sectors with high dependence. He specifically pointed out capital goods and medical devices as key focus areas. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade then formed sector-specific groups involving relevant ministries.
Six specialized teams analyze key industrial sectors
Each team targets a specific segment of the economy. One focuses on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, while another reviews chemicals, textiles, and footwear. Separate groups are tasked with assessing capital goods, automobiles, electric vehicles, energy infrastructure, and machinery. The review also includes civilian aerospace, defense-related products, and electronics. Officials utilize detailed trade records to compare import values, quantities, and source countries at the product level.
India already supports 14 sectors through production-linked incentive schemes. These include electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, batteries, telecommunications equipment, solar modules, textiles, and medical devices. The government additionally promotes semiconductor manufacturing and the domestic production of electronic components via distinct initiatives. Incentives for pharmaceuticals target 41 bulk drugs with heavy import reliance, while solar manufacturing programs aim for nearly 48 gigawatts of high-efficiency module capacity.
Trade data informs the review process
The Commerce Ministry maintains digital trade platforms that provide country and product-level import data. These records enable officials and businesses to monitor shifts across major categories. In the April to June 2026 quarter, India imported goods worth $216.18 billion, compared to $180.31 billion during the same period in the previous year. This rise reflects the increased import expenses from the prior fiscal year. Authorities are analyzing this data to refine the product list and detect manufacturing gaps.
The ongoing review expands on efforts to align customs classifications with responsible industrial agencies. This alignment helps officials identify high-volume imports and delegate appropriate follow-up actions to relevant ministries. The government has confirmed the formation of the six-sector review teams and their focus on boosting domestic production. However, the final list of products, detailed import values, or any new incentive schemes have not yet been disclosed. Any specific program targeting individual products would require separate official notification from the concerned ministry.