In less than a year, India has transformed from a near-total importer of personal protective equipment (PPE) into one of the world’s largest manufacturers, supplying not only domestic needs but also catering to global demand. A new report by the Institute of Competitiveness highlights this rapid progress and outlines the steps needed for India to position itself as a global hub for high-quality PPE production.
From Dependence to Self-Sufficiency
The report notes that India has already achieved self-reliance in producing PPE coveralls, fabrics, and seam tapes. This achievement was largely driven by the government’s push for indigenous manufacturing during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Within six to seven months, local manufacturers were able to scale up rapidly and meet rising demand.
However, the study points out that some critical elements — particularly seam-sealing machines — are still imported. To gain complete control over the supply chain, India will need to indigenize the production of such equipment, ensuring end-to-end capability in medical supplies manufacturing.
Quality, Not Just Cost
While praising the speed of India’s scale-up, the report emphasizes the need to improve quality standards through stronger quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) mechanisms. This would minimize product rejection rates, boost trust in Indian-made PPE, and open the door for large-scale exports.
Amit Kapoor, Chairman of the Institute of Competitiveness, stressed the importance of shifting focus from cost to quality:
“If India wants to be recognized as a world-class manufacturer of PPE kits, we must prioritize quality over merely being the cheapest option. Investing in R&D and innovation will give our products global competitiveness.”
The Road Ahead
To become a trusted international supplier, the report recommends India strengthen R&D, enhance product consistency, and scale up production aligned with global standards. By addressing these gaps, India could not only safeguard its healthcare supply chains but also emerge as a long-term exporter of high-quality PPE kits, turning a crisis-driven response into a sustainable global opportunity.
