India may extend duty exemptions on pharma inputs beyond June 30

India is reviewing the months-old duty-related relief measures for pharma sector amid the evolving situation in West Asia and likely to extend the exemptions beyond June 30, a senior official in the Centre’s Department of Commerce said here on Tuesday.

“We are reviewing on a daily basis… there might be a possible extension [of the exemptions],” Deputy Director Ravi Teja told media, pointing out to the Customs duty exemption the government had granted on critical petrochemical products.

The government had announced the measures to ensure continuous availability of essential petrochemical inputs for domestic industries, reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors and safeguard supply stability across the country. It was aimed at supporting various sectors dependent on petrochemical feedstock and intermediate products, including plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive components and other manufacturing industries.

Duty relief was introduced on certain chemicals and solvents, used in pharmaceutical production. Additionally, measures were initiated to offset rising freight and insurance expenses, he said, adding the impact of the West Asia crisis on pharma supplies and exports has been limited.

The government has also sharpened the focus on diversification of markets to ensure continued growth of pharma exports, which in FY2026 touched a little over $31 billion.

India is the third largest producer of pharmaceuticals by volume, supplies around 20% of global generics demand and more than 60% of the exports go to stringently regulated markets.

Mr.Ravi Teja said the next phase of growth will be defined by India’s movement from volume to value. Generics will remain as the foundation. The future will also be shaped by biosimilars, biologics, gene therapies, speciality medicines, vaccines, complex generics, contract manufacturing capabilities and medical devices.

India is pursing a target of $50 billion pharma exports by 2030 and to achieve the same set to strengthen quality systems, build resilience in active pharmaceutical ingredients and key starting materials. Besides market diversification, the emphasis is on regulatory cooperation, especially on acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia by many more countries – currently more than 20 countries accept the standards.