Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI) - Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence (MISRID)

The Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI) is run by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. Its purpose is to reduce India's dependence on foreign suppliers in the medical device sector. The Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence (MISRID) sits within SMDI and targets the localisation of components, raw materials and accessories needed to make medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) included.

Indian medical device manufacturers have long imported critical inputs, which exposes them to supply chain disruption and raises production costs. MISRID offers financial incentives to domestic companies that invest in manufacturing such inputs locally, with the aim of lowering that import reliance.

The scheme's goal is to build an indigenous ecosystem for medical device manufacturing and strengthen India's ability to make quality devices at affordable prices. It covers local production of items such as sensors, embedded systems, optical filters, electrodes and medical-grade materials. Through this, SMDI-MISRID seeks to encourage innovation, generate employment and position India as a global hub for medical device manufacturing.

This push forms part of the 'Make in India' vision. It also supports public health by keeping essential medical devices available within the country, particularly when global health crises disrupt supply.

1. Open the official SMDI portal at https://smdi.lsssdc.in/. 2. Go to the application section for the Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence (MISRID). 3. Complete the online application form with all required details and register your organisation. 4. Upload the supporting documents sought, which usually comprise company registration certificates, financial statements, detailed project proposals, investment plans, and technical specifications of the components/materials to be manufactured. 5. File your application no later than the deadline of July 24, 2026. 6. Track your application status on the portal and reply to any queries raised by the scheme administrators. 7. Applicants who are shortlisted move on to the evaluation stages, which involve technical review and committee appraisals.

Applications for the SMDI-MISRID scheme pass through several stages of scrutiny before approval. A Project Management Agency (PMA) first appraises each submission, checking that it is complete and satisfies the basic eligibility criteria.

Proposals that clear this stage go before a Technical Committee, which examines their technical feasibility, innovation content and strategic importance to manufacturing. The Scheme Steering Committee then grants final approval, confirming that the projects taken up support the scheme's aims of building up the medical device industry and lowering reliance on imports.