Maharashtra Emerges as India's Pharma Export Powerhouse, Accounts for Nearly One in Five Export Dollars

India's pharmaceutical exports have surged over the past decade. But one state continues to do much of the heavy lifting.

Maharashtra exported $5.94 billion worth of pharmaceutical products in FY26, accounting for nearly one-fifth of India's total pharma exports, according to data tabled in Parliament by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The numbers underscore Maharashtra's growing dominance in one of India's most strategic industries, with manufacturing clusters across Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Palghar, Raigad and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar driving exports to global markets.

The state's pharmaceutical exports have climbed steadily from $4.48 billion in FY22 to $5.94 billion in FY26, reflecting strong demand for Indian medicines and expanding manufacturing capacity.

The broader national picture is equally impressive.

India's pharmaceutical exports have more than doubled over the past decade, rising from $15.43 billion in FY15 to $31.12 billion in FY26, representing a compound annual growth rate of about 6.6%.

The government attributes much of Maharashtra's growth to sustained policy support aimed at expanding manufacturing, research and innovation.

Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, three approved pharmaceutical companies operating in Pune have together invested ₹1,867 crore and created 1,254 jobs as of March 2026.

The Centre is also betting heavily on biotechnology.

Its Biopharma SHAKTI programme, backed by an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years, aims to build a globally competitive ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars while strengthening India's position as a global biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub.

Innovation has emerged as another major pillar of the state's growth story.

Government-backed programmes through BIRAC have supported 156 Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) startups, 32 SEED startups, 21 LEAP startups and 47 PACE projects in Maharashtra since 2014-15, alongside the creation of five incubation and pre-incubation centres.

The state's biotech ecosystem has also benefited from the Centre's BioE3 Policy and the National Biopharma Mission, which together are supporting dozens of biotechnology and translational research projects across Maharashtra.

Adding to its manufacturing strength is a robust export ecosystem that includes Special Economic Zones, export-oriented units and biotechnology parks such as Serum Bio Pharma Park in Pune.

Together, these facilities employed more than 22,000 people during FY26, underlining Maharashtra's role not only as India's largest pharmaceutical exporter but also as one of the country's most important life sciences hubs.

As global demand for affordable medicines, vaccines and biologics continues to rise, Maharashtra appears well placed to remain at the heart of India's pharmaceutical export story.

(With inputs from ANI)