The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has selected seven research centres across leading Indian institutions to develop priority medical devices and diagnostic technologies. The initiative aims to address unmet healthcare needs by supporting the development of affordable, accessible and locally developed medical technologies.
The selected institutions include five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore. The projects cover portable screening tools, biomaterials, artificial intelligence and technologies for eye and vascular diseases.
Seven institutions selected for medical technology research
The selected institutions are IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IISc Bengaluru and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
Each centre will focus on developing medical technologies in areas aligned with priority healthcare needs. The initiative is intended to strengthen research capabilities and help translate scientific developments into practical healthcare solutions.
IIT Bombay’s centre will focus on portable screening, monitoring and point-of-care technologies for primary healthcare. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham will work on technologies for eye and vascular diseases, while IISc Bengaluru will focus on biomaterials and translational medical devices.
IIT Kharagpur’s PRAGATICAR initiative will cover frugal diagnostics, personalised healthcare, artificial intelligence, digital health and advanced therapeutics.
Focus on affordable diagnostics and medical devices
The programme seeks to encourage the development of indigenous medical technologies that can address gaps in healthcare delivery.
Portable screening and point-of-care devices could help healthcare workers conduct certain tests closer to patients, including in settings where access to advanced medical facilities is limited. However, the benefits will depend on the performance, validation, affordability and eventual deployment of the technologies developed.
Research into biomaterials and medical devices could also support new approaches to diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the eyes and vascular system.
What the initiative means for India’s MedTech sector
India’s medical technology sector needs stronger domestic research, product development and validation capabilities to turn scientific ideas into usable healthcare products.
By bringing established research institutions into a coordinated effort, ICMR aims to support the development of medical devices and diagnostic technologies addressing identified clinical needs.
The selection of the seven centres marks a step in that process. The broader impact will depend on whether research projects produce reliable technologies that meet regulatory requirements and become accessible to healthcare providers and patients.
