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Overview
India has one of the world’s most dynamic life sciences industries. With strong demand for high‑quality medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and health‑system innovation, India presents substantial opportunities for UK exporters.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), also known as the UK‑India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is now in force and supports UK life sciences businesses by reducing tariff and administrative barriers, strengthening intellectual property protections and increasing the predictability of business travel. This creates a more transparent and accessible environment for UK companies supplying medical devices, medicines, digital health tools and specialist health services.
As of 2026:
- India has a rapidly growing market for advanced medical devices and biopharmaceuticals.
- demand is expanding for high‑end diagnostics, digital health systems, clinical technologies, and hospital infrastructure.
- public and private investment is driving growth in biotech, R&D partnerships, manufacturing modernisation and regulatory strengthening.
For UK exporters, this means opportunities across medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, research services, and digital health innovation.
Trade agreement with India
The FTA entered into force on 15 July 2026. It strengthens the trading relationship between the two countries and provides a clearer, more predictable framework for UK companies exporting to India.
Under the agreement:
- tariffs are reduced or removed on many life sciences products
- digital trade becomes simpler and more secure
- electronic transactions are recognised in law
- temporary movement of businesspersons is easier and more transparent
- intellectual property protections are strengthened
For the life sciences sector, this means better market access, more competitive pricing for medical products, and improved confidence for UK firms supplying regulated and high‑specification health technologies.
Sector and market opportunities
There are significant opportunities for UK exporters across medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, biotech and digital health, as India invests in modernising healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to advanced health technologies.
Examples of key opportunities
Medical devices and technologies
- surgical and interventional equipment
- diagnostic imaging systems and high‑end radiology technology
- monitoring devices and critical‑care equipment
- orthopaedics, rehabilitation and assistive‑technology solutions
In vitro diagnostics and laboratory systems
- molecular diagnostics, genomics and precision‑medicine tools
- point of care devices
- laboratory automation and testing equipment
- AI‑enabled diagnostics and digital pathology
Pharmaceuticals and therapeutics
- high‑value active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and speciality medicines
- drug‑delivery technologies and formulation innovations
- clinical research support and regulatory expertise
Digital health and health‑system technologies
- telemedicine platforms and virtual care technologies
- AI‑based decision‑support tools
- health data analytics, cybersecurity and infrastructure tools
Tariff‑free life sciences products
Many UK life sciences goods now enter India at reduced or zero tariffs under the FTA, depending on their harmonised system (HS) code classification and rules of origin:
- a significant number of medical devices, diagnostic systems, pharmaceutical ingredients and biotech equipment benefit from tariff elimination once origin requirements are met.
- where products are on a tariff‑reduction schedule, rates decrease over a defined phase‑out period.
- exporters must ensure their goods meet rules of origin criteria to claim preferential rates.
- businesses should confirm the correct HS code for their product to identify the specific preferential tariff that applies.
Find out more in our guide: Tariffs and customs for imports from and exports to India.
Rules of origin
To benefit from reduced or zero tariffs under the FTA, UK exporters must ensure their goods meet the agreement’s rules of origin. These rules determine whether a product is considered to originate in the UK and therefore qualifies for preferential treatment.
There are 3 main ways a good can qualify as originating under the agreement – it is:
- wholly obtained or produced in the UK or India
- made entirely from originating materials sourced from the UK or India
- produced using non-originating materials but meets specific product-level rules known as product-specific rules (PSRs)
Register with HM Revenue and Customs
Under the FTA a claim for preferential tariff treatment can be made by the importer on the basis of an origin declaration completed by a UK producer or exporter. To do so, a UK producer or exporter must be registered with HMRC prior to completing origin declarations.
Register to complete origin declarations under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement on GOV.UK.
If you have not registered with HMRC your origin declarations will be rejected and your importer will not be able to claim preference.
Registered UK exporters or producers must also provide a self-certificated origin declaration to Indian customs and the Indian importer before a claim for preference is made by the importer.
For detailed guidance, refer to the rules of origin guide which explains the criteria and provides sector-specific examples.
Rules of origin for life sciences products
Depending on the product, the rules of origin may require:
- chemical reactions or specific manufacturing processes (for pharmaceuticals or APIs)
- assembly or transformation rules (for medical devices and equipment)
- minimum UK value‑added percentages (common across healthcare technologies)
Exporters should review the product‑specific rules of origin closely to understand which manufacturing steps must take place in the UK.
Opportunities for digital trading
Electronic contracts
The agreement ensures that electronic contracts are legally valid and cannot be considered invalid just because they are in electronic form.
However, India might impose specific criteria regarding electronic contracts, including some circumstances where they are not accepted. You should check local regulations for more information.
Electronic authentication and trust services
Electronic signatures and electronic authentication increase trust in e-commerce by helping to verify that transactions (and the people behind them) are genuine. The agreement ensures that electronic authentication and trust services, such as electronic signatures and time stamps are considered legally valid. Strengthening the legal validity of electronic trust services provides greater confidence that transactions can be concluded through electronic means.
However, India might impose specific criteria regarding electronic trust services and authentication, including some circumstances where they are not accepted. You should check local regulations for more information.
You have the freedom to determine the best way of authenticating your transaction. However, for some transaction categories, there can be specific requirements. The agreement also encourages mutual recognition of trust services, which supports smoother cross-border digital interactions in the future.
Paperless trading
Paperless trading refers to the conduct of trade activities using electronic rather than paper documents. This reduces administrative costs and improves efficiency of processes, benefiting UK businesses across all sectors.
The UK and India have committed to accept trade documents in electronic form, where possible, and to treat them as legally equivalent to paper versions. There may be some exceptions, and you should check local regulations for more information.
The UK and India have also committed, where possible, to making trade administration documents available in electronic form.
Easier business travel
For UK exporters and service providers, the benefits of the agreement go beyond tariff reductions. The agreement creates a predictable and transparent framework for business mobility, which is critical for sectors where face-to-face engagement matters. For example:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers can attend trade fairs, meet distributors, and negotiate contracts without worrying about visa delays.
- Life sciences consultancies can provide advisory services under clear rules, strengthening trust with Indian clients.
By reducing administrative barriers and clarifying eligibility, the agreement helps UK businesses compete effectively in India’s dynamic market.
Under the FTA, both governments have committed to facilitating the temporary movement of business persons. This means UK professionals can expect:
- faster and more predictable visa processing
- clear definitions of permitted activities
- longer stays for certain categories of business travellers
- legal certainty and transparency
These changes give UK companies confidence to plan visits, deploy staff, and deliver projects without unnecessary disruption.
Find out more in our guide: Travelling to India for work.
Department for Business and Trade support
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade agreements, and champions free trade. Helpful links, tools and services available from DBT and wider government include:
Export Support Service (ESS) team
Get support on how to do business abroad. Businesses in Wales can also access support from Business Wales.
Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS-IM)
DBT's overseas in-market export support service for SMEs with high-export potential. Our International Market Advisers provide tailored support and market introduction information to new and current UK exporters looking to enter or expand into new markets. The service may be accessed globally with International Markets teams in South Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, North America and Latin America.
Sign up to access webinars on how to grow your international sales.
Information on finance and insurance for UK exports.
Trade and investment factsheets
The latest statistics on trade and investment between the UK and individual overseas partners.
Overseas business risk profiles
Information for UK businesses on political, economic and security risks when trading overseas.
Advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.
Check or report a trade barrier
If you encounter an issue when exporting to any country – report the issue and UK government officials will be able to assess the issue and consider the options we have open to addressing it as appropriate.
Search for your specific product to find applicable tariffs for each market, explore rules of origin and step-by-step help on customs procedures.
Check import duties and allows you to check the status of available tariff rate quotas.
Useful resources
Prior to export, you must be aware of local regulations and import conditions in India that apply to your goods or services. This can include tax considerations, labour laws, intellectual property rules, labelling and packaging regulations, among others.
To seek further information related to local regulations, business culture, or to find a local lawyer, translator, importer, or distributor, you can use the following contacts:
To see a range of official Indian government portals on procurement opportunities, policy insights and market access, see our guide: Government procurement opportunities in India.
Legal disclaimer
This document is provided as an information guide only and should not be relied on as a substitute for your own research or independent advice.
No investment and/or business decision should be made solely on the basis of information presented in this document. It is recommended that an independent due diligence investigation is conducted before entering into engagement with any individual, business or other organisation mentioned.
The Department for Business and Trade accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage caused to any person as result of any error, omission, inaccurate or misleading statement in this document.
The accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content of any website mentioned in this document is not guaranteed in any way, implied or explicit.
