NEW DELHI, INDIA / RankWire.AI / – India is currently undertaking an assessment to pinpoint around 100 imported goods that could be produced domestically on a larger scale. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is leading this initiative through six sector-specific groups. The review encompasses products from the industrial, consumer, energy, health, transport, and electronics sectors. The government has yet to release an official list of products, specific import figures, or details regarding any new incentive schemes.
This move follows a notable surge in India’s merchandise import expenses. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, merchandise imports hit $774.98 billion, an increase from $721.20 billion the previous year. Meanwhile, merchandise exports totaled $441.78 billion, resulting in a goods trade deficit of $333.19 billion. According to data from the Commerce Ministry, non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery imports amounted to $498.56 billion during the same period.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the central government and state governments in December 2025 to identify 100 products suitable for domestic manufacturing. Subsequently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal directed businesses to analyze official import data and identify items that could be produced locally. He emphasized that sectors such as capital goods and medical devices are where India continues to rely heavily on imports.
Assessment spans six key sectors of the economy
The six groups segment the review according to major economic sectors. One group focuses on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, while another covers chemicals, textiles, and footwear. Additional groups evaluate capital goods, automobiles, electric vehicles, energy equipment, and infrastructure machinery. The scope also includes civilian aerospace, defense-related products, and electronics. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade collaborates with relevant ministries overseeing these sectors.
India already supports manufacturing via production-linked incentive schemes across 14 industries. These include electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, batteries, telecommunications equipment, solar modules, textiles, and medical devices. The government has also launched dedicated programs for semiconductor manufacturing and electronic components. Existing incentives for pharmaceuticals target 41 bulk drugs that India imports heavily. Solar incentives aim for nearly 48 gigawatts of high-efficiency module capacity.
Trade data informs product selection process
India’s Commerce Ministry maintains digital trade platforms that offer import data at the country and product levels. These records enable officials and manufacturers to monitor imported goods by value, volume, and country of origin. In April to June 2026, India imported merchandise worth $216.18 billion, up from $180.31 billion during the same period in the prior year. These figures continue the upward trend observed during the previous fiscal year.
Government documents also map customs classifications to specific industrial sectors and identify high-volume imports with potential for local production. The ongoing 100-product review expands upon this framework. While officials have confirmed the sector-based approach and the goal of import substitution, the final list of products and specific measures have not yet been announced. Any official support or incentives will require separate formal notifications from the relevant ministries.