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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on regulatory compliances associated with GST rate reduction of medical devices in India

On September 03, 2025, The Goods & Services Tax Council has announced the reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates for medical devices, medical equipment, medical apparatus and IVDs listed at the end of this article (“listed medical devices”). The reduced GST rates will come into effect on September 22, 2025. In this article, we have answered frequently asked questions (FAQs) about compliance associated with the reduction in GST rates for those listed medical devices which declare the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on their package.

[If you are short on time, please read response to Q.3 and 4]

GST reduction and its impact on existing stock

1. Will the reduced GST rates apply to stock of medical devices already present in the market, and if so, will the MRP of such medical devices have to be reduced?

Yes. The reduced GST rates will apply to all of the stock of the listed medical devices sold on or after September 22, 2025, irrespective of the fact that it was manufactured, imported or packed prior to September 22, 2025.

The MRP of the stock of listed medical devices available in the market on or after September 22, 2025 will have to be reduced to reflect the reduction in GST rates, and the revised GST rate applicable to listed medical devices and the reduced MRP will have to be communicated to all wholesale and retail dealers by the manufacturers and importers of listed medical devices. However, the MRP declared on the package of the listed medical devices need not be re-labelled or re-stickered. We have discussed this aspect in our response to Q. 5-9 below.

2. Is it possible to retain same MRP on stock of medical devices present in the market after reducing GST?

No. While it is generally permissible to increase MRP of medical devices by up to 10% in India, doing so for stock of medical devices which was manufactured or imported prior to September 22, 2025 may tantamount to denying trade and customers the benefit of reduction of GST, which is not permissible under India’s GST laws and is generally regarded as unlawful ‘profiteering’.

Compliances to be undertaken on account of reduction in GST rate

3. Which mandatory compliances should a manufacturer or importer of medical devices undertake before September 22, 2025 to ensure compliance with applicable laws?

Manufacturers and importers of the listed medical devices should undertake the following steps as soon as possible, but no later than September 21, 2025:

  • Circulate a notice informing wholesale and retail dealers about revised applicable GST rate and reduced MRP, effective September 22, 2025, and ensure that the Director of Legal Metrology (Central Government) and the Controller of Legal Metrology of States and Union Territories receive a copy of the circulated notice.
  • Circulate a revised price list of listed medical devices manufactured or imported or marketed by the company in Form VI of DPCO to wholesale and retail dealers, State Drug Controllers, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), indicating revised GST rates and the revised MRP effective from September 22, 2025. The revised price list may be circulated through any suitable communication channel, including WhatsApp and Email.

[Note: The Director of Legal Metrology has relaxed the requirement to publish advertisements in one or more newspapers informing the trade and public about the revised applicable GST rate and reduced MRP]

4. Which mandatory compliances should be undertaken by a manufacturer or importer of medical devices after September 22, 2025 to ensure compliance with applicable laws?

Manufacturers and importers of the listed medical devices should undertake the following steps as soon as possible on or after September 22, 2025, in addition to declaring reduced MRP on package:

  • Submit the revised price list in Form VI of DPCO on the IPDMS portal of NPPA, on or before October 6, 2025.
  • File Form II of DPCO to report a decrease in MRP on IPDMS Portal of NPPA, on or before October 6, 2025, applicable only if the listed medical device falls under the list of scheduled formulations under DPCO.

Re-labelling of existing stock of medical devices with revised MRP

5. Is it mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of stock of medical devices available with wholesale and retail dealers, which has been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025?

No. It is not mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of stock of listed medical devices available with wholesale and retail dealers which has been manufactured India or imported into India before September 22, 2025. However, all listed medical devices manufactured in India or imported into India on or after September 22, 2025 must declare reduced MRP on its label. If there is pre-existing packaging material which contains pre-printed MRP, then it may be used to pack listed medical devices which are manufactured on or before March 31, 2026, in the manner as described in response to Q. 16.

6. Is it mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of medical devices stored at manufacturer’s or importer’s warehouse, which has been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025?

No. It is not mandatory to declare reduced MRP on the label of listed medical devices stored at manufacturer’s or importer’s warehouse, which has been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025, provided steps described in response to Q. 3 have been taken.

However, if a manufacturer or importer of listed medical devices wishes to voluntarily declare reduced MRP on label of medical devices, then we have described the compliances to be followed in our response to Q. 7, 8 and 9.

It is recommended that the unsold stock of listed medical devices stored at manufacturers or importer’s warehouse should be re-labelled with reduced MRP before sale to trade, in order to reduce risk of allegation of overcharging or profiteering due to failure of retailer to sell at reduced MRP despite being notified by the manufacturer or importer about the reduction of MRP.

7. Is any permission required to re-label medical devices with reduced MRP on account of reduction of GST?

No. There is no permission required to re-label medical devices to reflect reduced MRP on account of reduction of GST, provided such re-labelling is done before December 10, 2025 in case of all imported medical devices and domestically manufactured Class C and Class D medical devices. In case of domestically manufactured Class A and Class B medical devices, the timeline for re-labelling to reflect reduced MRP on account of reduction in GST rate will be communicated by respective State’s Medical Device Licensing Authority (example – State Drug Controller, State Food and Drug Department), but under no condition should such re-labelling be done beyond December 31, 2025.

Please note that the re-labelling to reflect reduced MRP on account of reduction in GST is subject to conditions which are discussed in response to Q. 8 below.

8. If a manufacturer or importer wishes to declare revised MRP on stock of medical devices which was manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025 and that stock is available with wholesale and retail dealers or that is present in manufacturer’s or importer’s warehouse, what are the legal compliances that such manufacturer or importer should be aware of?

Assuming the manufacturer or importer has complied with the mandatory requirements outlined in response to Q. 3 and 7 above, it may lawfully declare revised MRP by re-labeling stock of listed medical devices which has been manufactured in India or imported into India before September 22, 2025, after fulfilling the below-mentioned conditions:

  • The original MRP must remain visible, and the revised MRP must not be overwritten on it.
  • The stocks should be re-called in a phased manner to avoid any shortage of the listed medical devices in the market.

9. What are the permitted ways of declaring reduced MRP on the pack of medical devices on account of reduction in GST?

Assuming the manufacturer or importer has complied with the mandatory requirements outlined in response to Q. 3, 7 and 8, the manufacturers and importers of listed medical devices may declare reduced MRP on pack of listed medical devices by stamping or affixing stickers or by online printing.

Compliances applicable to wholesale and retail dealers

10. How are wholesale and retail dealers expected to know the revised GST rate and reduced MRP applicable to medical devices stocked by them, if the stock of medical devices available with them does not carry on the label a declaration of reduced MRP as of September 22, 2025?

As indicated in response to Q. 3, all manufacturers and importers of listed medical devices are required to notify wholesale and retail dealers about revised GST rates and reduced MRP latest by September 21, 2025 by circulating a revised price list which is effective from September 22, 2025.

Accordingly, on or after September 22, 2025, all wholesale and retail dealers of the listed medical devices must refer to the revised price list received from the manufacturer or importers of listed medical devices before selling stock of listed medical devices in their possession.

11. What are the compliances applicable to wholesale and retail dealers who have stock of the medical devices manufactured in India or imported into India prior to September 22, 2025?

On or after September 22, 2025, all wholesale and retail dealers must:

  • Sell listed medical devices at reduced MRP after applying revised GST rates;
  • Verify the reduced MRP against the revised price list received from the manufacturer or importer of listed medical devices
  • Display of revised price lists of the listed medical devices received from the manufacturers or importers on a conspicuous part of the premises where they carry on business; and
  • Not alter, tamper, over-sticker or re-label the existing product packaging.

Penalties for non-compliance

12. What are the consequences of failure to circulate revised price list in Form VI to wholesale and retail dealers before September 22, 2025?

Non-submission of Form VI after reducing MRP is a violation of DPCO and may lead to penal action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 resulting in fine and imprisonment.

13. What are the consequences of non-submission of Form II of DPCO before October 6, 2025?

Non-submission of Form II of DPCO is deemed to be a failure to reduce MRP of listed medical devices by the manufacturer or importer despite reduction in GST rates. The manufacturer or importer may be held liable for overcharging consumers and be required to pay the overcharged amount, along with interest and a penalty. It may also result in criminal prosecution under The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, inviting fine and imprisonment if convicted.

14. What are the consequences of failure to notify dealers about applicable revised GST rates and reduced MRP before September 22, 2025?

Failure to notify dealers about applicable revised GST rates and reduced MRP before September 22, 2025 may invite fine.

Requirement for obtaining a manufacturing license or NOC from State Licensing Authority for re-labelling

15. Will declaration of reduced MRP on packages of medical devices be considered to be “manufacturing” and require a manufacturing license or NOC from State Licensing Authority or CDSCO?

The re-labelling of a medical device may be legally construed as manufacture of medical devices under The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (D&C Act), and such manufacturing activity requires a license from the Licensing Authority under D&C Act. The Licensing Authority in case of imported medical devices and domestically manufactured Class C and Class D medical devices is CDSCO. The Licensing Authority in case of domestically manufactured Class A and Class B medical devices is State Licensing Authority (for example – State Drug Control Department, State Food and Drug Administration).

For the limited purpose of reducing MRP due to revision of applicable GST rates, CDSCO has given concession to importers of medical devices and domestic manufacturers of Class C and Class D medical devices until December 10, 2025 to re-label stock of listed medical devices with reduced MRP without requiring license or NOC from CDSCO.

Some State Licensing Authorities, such as Jharkhand State Drug Administration, has reportedly given concession to domestic manufacturers of Class A and Class B medical devices in Jharkhand State to relabel stock of listed medical devices with reduced MRP without requiring license or NOC from the said State Licensing Authority until December 31, 2025. It is important for domestic manufacturers of Class A and Class B to check locally about the date until which stock of listed medical devices may be re-labelled with reduced MRP without requiring a license or NOC from State Licensing Authority.

Any re-labelling activity done beyond the prescribed date may invite application of requirement to obtain license from CDSCO or relevant State Licensing Authority.

Use of existing packaging material with pre-printed MRP

16. If the manufacturer or importer has packaging material with pre-printed MRP, can it be used for packaging medical devices manufactured after September 22, 2025?

Yes. Packaging material or wrappers bearing the pre-printed MRP that could not be exhausted by the manufacturer or importer prior to September 22, 2025 may be used for packaging of listed medical devices manufactured after September 22, 2025 until March 31, 2026.

However, the manufacturer or importer must declare the revised MRP on the packaging without hiding or over-writing the pre-printed MRP. The revised MRP may be declared by stamping, stickering or online printing.

If the packaging material with pre-printed MRP contains Unit Sale Price (USP) calculated on the basis of pre-printed MRP, then it is not mandatory to declare the revised USP calculated on the basis of reduced MRP. However, if the manufacturer or importer wishes to voluntarily declare the revised USP on the package alongside old USP calculated on the basis of pre-printed MRP, it is permitted to do so.

List of Medical Devices whose GST Rates have been reduced

Sr. No.Name of the productPrevious GST ratesNew GST rates effective from September 22, 2025
1Thermometers for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary usage18%5%
2Instruments and apparatus for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses for physical or chemical analysis.18%5%
3All diagnostic kits and reagents12%5%
4Surgical rubber gloves or medical examination rubber gloves12%5%
5Contact lenses and Spectacle lenses12%5%
6Spectacles, corrective
[including goggles for correcting vision]		12%5%
7Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments12%5%
8Mechano-therapy appliances; massage apparatus; psychological aptitude-testing apparatus; ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus12%5%
9Other breathing appliances and gas masks, excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters12%5%
10Apparatus based on the use of X-rays or of alpha, beta or gamma radiations, for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, X-ray tubes and other X-ray generators, high tension generators, control panels and desks, screens, examinations or treatment tables, chairs and the like12%5%
11All goods- napkins and napkin liners for babies, clinical diapers12%5%
12Blood glucose monitoring system (Glucometer) and test strips12%5%
13Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles (for example, dressings, adhesive plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutical substances or put up in forms or packings for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes12%5%
14Sterile surgical catgut, similar sterile suture materials (including sterile absorbable surgical or dental yarns) and sterile tissue adhesives for surgical wound closure; sterile laminaria and sterile laminaria tents; sterile absorbable surgical or dental haemostatics; sterile surgical or dental adhesion barriers, whether or not absorbable; Waste pharmaceuticals] [other than contraceptives] Ostomy appliances including pouch or flange, stoma adhesive paste, barrier cream, irrigator kit, sleeves, belt, micro-pore tapes12%5%
15Patent Ductus Arteriosus / Atrial Septal Defect occlusion device12%5%

Disclaimer:This article contains personal views of the authors and should not be considered as legal advice.

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Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

1. The Indian Central Government has eased GST rate revision compliance for manufacturers and importers allowing them to voluntarily affix revised price stickers on unsold stock manufactured before September 22, 2025, without obscuring the original price. Mandatory newspaper advertisements have been waived and only circulars to dealers and retailers are needed. Old packaging can be used until March 31, 2026, with price corrections allowed.
Source: short-url.org/1fjNU

2. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will be conducting a nationwide enforcement drive in October 2025 targeting 13 whole and powdered spices after a 2024–25 surveillance found substandard quality, contaminants, and labelling lapses. Only manufacturing units will be inspected, with samples tested in NABL-accredited labs. States authorities are required to submit reports by 20 November 2025.
Source: short-url.org/1aHQi

3. The Drugs Control Department of Delhi has directed all manufacturers and marketers of drugs, formulations, and medical devices to revise MRPs as per reduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates effective 22 September 2025. Revised price lists must reach retailers, and billing systems must be updated to reflect new GST rates.
Source: short-url.org/1fjO6

4. The Bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association has warned that Goods and Services Tax 2.0 will force pharmacy retailers to absorb losses as they sell old stock at reduced maximum retail prices without input tax credit. It urged authorities to assure no penalties during the transition until December 31, 2025.
Source: short-url.org/1aHQy

5. India’s Federation of Pharmaceutical Merchant Exporters (FPME) has urged exporters to share feedback on the challenges faced with the new dual-use No Objection Certificate (NOC) system introduced by CDSCO via the Sugam portal. Reportedly, The new process has caused delays and increased documentation requirements, impacting export efficiency. FPME has urged Pharmexcil to address these issues with regulatory authorities to streamline export compliance.
Source: short-url.org/1fjOk

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Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

1. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued Notification revising GST rates effective September 22, 2025, after the 56th GST Council meeting. The GST rates for medical devices, drugs, food, beverages, and cosmetics have been notified.
Source: short-url.org/1f8PY

2. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have issued a unified national protocols for evaluating in-vitro diagnostic kits for Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika and others. These guidelines set strict criteria on sensitivity, specificity, and quality, ensuring accurate diagnostics and strengthening regulatory oversight to improve access to quality-assured diagnostic kits in India.
Source: short-url.org/1f8Q4

3. The National Medical Commission has advised medical colleges to strengthen rabies case management via regular training, surveillance, and community outreach. Colleges must guarantee continuous supply of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and anti-rabies serum (ARS), maintain a register of animal bite exposure cases, and report suspected rabies cases through state nodal officers via IHIP under IDSP.
Source: short-url.org/1f8Qh

4. The Directorate General of Health Services is set to introduce new regulations establishing minimum standards for medical sample collection and transportation. These standards aim to ensure that blood, urine, and swab samples are handled by trained professionals and transported under proper conditions, including maintaining a cold chain, to prevent contamination and ensure accurate test results.
Source: short-url.org/1f8Qw

5. The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana suspended licences of 165 medical shops and permanently cancelled seven for retailing MTP kits without valid prescriptions or licensed supervision. 800+ inspections revealed violations including OTC sales of abortifacient drugs (mifepristone, misoprostol), lack of required records, and dispensing without qualified pharmacists.
Source: short-url.org/1f8QF

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Dear Readers, we are happy to share the most interesting legal and policy updates concerning health industry that we read today. We hope you enjoy reading it.

1. The NPPA has extended the existing ceiling prices for orthopaedic knee implants until November 15, 2025. The earlier deadline was September 15. The extension allows time to review industry representations while maintaining current ceiling prices.
Source: short-url.org/1eQeU

2. India’s central drugs regulator, has introduced a new online provision, effective 11th September 2025 for “Subsequent Importer” applications. It allows companies to import medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics already approved by CDSCO for marketing in India. The initiative aims to simplify approvals, brand approvals, enhance transparency, and reduce processing timelines.
Source: short-url.org/1eQnm

3. India’s central drug authority has classified pharmaceutical cocrystals of approved active substances as new drugs under New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. Applicants must demonstrate superior properties over physical mixtures, with detailed validation, stability, and bioavailability/bioequivalence data. Submissions will be processed like new active substances, requiring full safety and efficacy evidence.
Source: short-url.org/1afgK

4. Pharmaceutical merchant association are reportedly urging India’s government to revise the rule prohibiting the export of pharmaceutical products labelled “For sale in India only.” They claim the regulation has led to substantial losses, hurting global competitiveness, restricting access for overseas patients, and causing market-share losses.
Source: short-url.org/1eQme

5. Reportedly, one of the leading toothpaste maker company in the United States will update its packaging from November 1 under a settlement order, showing “pea-sized” amounts for children under six to promote safe, age-appropriate fluoride use and address concerns that previous images encouraged potentially unsafe overuse by young children.
Source: short-url.org/1afh5

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1. The Maharashtra Medical Council is set to launch a portal to register homeopathy practitioners who hold a one-year “Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology” (CCMP), per government directive. Doctors’ groups have opposed this by stating that this move undermines MBBS standards, risks public health, and have demanded the notification’s immediate withdrawal.
Source: short-url.org/1eGvx

2. A renowned hospital has launched a ‘Living Will Clinic’ to help terminally ill patients document their medical preferences when recovery is not possible. Patients can predefine interventions like ventilation, CPR, surgery or home-vs-hospital death, appoint a healthcare representative, during critical moments.
Source: short-url.org/1eFVl

3. Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-In) has mandated annual cybersecurity audits for all MSMEs starting September 1, 2025. Key mandates include, establishing a minimum security baseline, reporting incidents within six hours, keeping 180-day system logs, conducting yearly vulnerability assessments, and providing regular employee cybersecurity training.
Source: short-url.org/1eFVu
Source: short-url.org/1a5Na

4. The Delhi government has decided to establish a special committee under the Health Department to suppress the sale of counterfeit medicines across the city. Four specialised teams will conduct midnight raids especially near hospitals and medical shops. Seized drugs will go through laboratory testing to confirm authenticity.
Source: short-url.org/1a5Gx

5. Drug Controller General of India has directed state authorities in Gujarat and Delhi to take action against drug marketers associated with manufacturers who failed risk based inspections. Labels in some cases listed marketers with invalid addresses. Actions may include cancelling licences, stopping production, suspending product permissions however, it may disrupt the medical supply.
Soruce: short-url.org/1aatp

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1. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has ordered drug and medical device importers, manufacturers, and brand owners to revise MRPs from September 22, 2025, in line with GST Council decisions. Firms must issue revised price lists, inform dealers, retailers and consumers about the reduction in GST rates, and publish advertisements, while re-labelling old stocks is optional if compliance at the retail level is ensured.
Source: short-url.org/19LMW

2. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has revoked its earlier order barring physiotherapists from using the “Dr” prefix, after receiving recommendations from the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) and facing strong objections from professional bodies. The previous directive, said physiotherapists are allied health professionals and not entitled to use “Dr” to prevent misleading patients. DGHS stated the matter requires further examination.
Source: short-url.org/19LN2

3. With new GST rates kicking in from September 22, 2025, FMCG companies are urging the government to allow sales of products in current packaging (with old MRP) but at revised lower prices. They warn that forcing re-packaging could lead to over ₹2,000 crore in packaging waste and major losses across supply chains.
Source: short-url.org/19LNc

4. The Supreme Court has asked all Indian state governments to reply in four weeks about how they are enforcing the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, giving data since May 1, 2015, on prosecutions, acquittals, and appeals, after noting that many acquittals are never challenge.
Source: short-url.org/1ekQ6

5. India’s Union Minister of State for Health has reportedly inaugurated the National Virus Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) Conclave 2025, announcing a new portal and protocols for in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) validation. The initiative aims to speed up and simplify validation. India is also expanding VRDL capacity, bio-safety labs, and outbreak surveillance.
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1. The Central drugs licensing authority has permitted importers and manufacturers of Class C and D medical devices to affix stickers with revised Maximum Retail Price (MRPs) reflecting reduced GST rates which are effective from 22 September 2025. The stickered MRP must reflect the reduced GST, and the changes must be implemented within 3 months from the date of this order.
Source: short-url.org/19uui

2. The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that stocking allopathic medicines without a valid licence amounts to an “offer for sale” under Section 27 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Displaying medicines in a clinic rack was deemed sufficient to establish intent to sell.
Source: short-url.org/1e2Yz

3. Delhi High Court has temporarily stopped the drug regulator (CDSCO) from initiating criminal proceedings against a major online marketplace accused for listing unapproved drugs. The platform contends it functions only as an intermediary and is protected under law.
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4. The Orissa High Court has asked the Odisha Government to respond within two weeks to a PIL seeking mandatory use of Individual Donor Nucleic Acid Testing (Individual Donor Nucleic Acid Testing) in all government and affiliated blood banks. The plea argues that the existing NAT-PCR screening is outdated and less effective in early detection of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C infections.
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5. A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has called on the Centre to decentralise the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY scheme by using mobile health units and telemedicine hubs, especially in tribal and hilly regions. The move aims to improve accessibility, strengthen outreach, and ensure coverage penetrates underserved geographies.
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1. The Consumer Affairs Ministry has permitted manufacturers, packers, and importers to revise MRPs on unsold pre-packaged goods post-GST changes, reflecting only the tax difference. Original MRP must remain visible. Revisions via stickers or stamping are allowed. Conditions include newspaper ads, dealer notifications, and apply until December 31, 2025, or stock exhaustion which ever is earlier.
Source: short-url.org/1dU94

2. The Department of Consumer Affairs has proposed an amendment to the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011, introducing a validity period of 10 years for domestic and 5 years for imported model approvals. Public comments are invited before October 9, 2025 through emails.
Source: shorturl.at/7wExv

3. The Soybean Processors Association of India has reportedly objected to FSSAI’s ‘Eat Right India’ post promoting olive oil, calling it elitist and biased. They argue it undermines public confidence in affordable, nutritious local oils like soybean and mustard, and urge its withdrawal to protect consumer trust and national interests.
Source: shorturl.at/zkeaL

4. The FSSAI has constituted a committee to modernize India’s organic-food and agricultural products’ regulatory framework by revising certification rules, usage of the India Organic label, and aligning standards with global benchmarks. While the scope spans organic agricultural products, the authority has not provided a timeline for rollout.
Source: shorturl.at/AQnA5

5. The Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA) has cautioned that the shift reducing GST on most medicines from 12% to 5%, effective September 22, 2025, is financially unviable for pharmacies due to unrecoverable input tax credit, risking severe medicine shortages without urgent relief.
Source: shorturl.at/oAEhB

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1. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has broadened fast-track merger eligibility to include more unlisted firms and companies with debt under INR 100 crore and no defaults, as well as mergers involving holding companies and their unlisted subsidiaries even if not wholly owned streamlining consolidation and ease-of-business push.
Source: shorturl.at/viKVh

2. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, expanding provisions for test licenses. The draft mandates prior permission or notification for manufacturing investigational drugs for trials, bioavailability/bioequivalence studies, and analysis and excludes sensitive categories sex hormones, cytotoxics, beta-lactams, biologics with live microorganisms, and narcotic/psychotropic substances from the simplified notification pathway.
Source: short-url.org/1dQTc

3. The Karnataka Pharma Retailers & Distributors Organization (KPRDO) urged reconsideration of a new 24×7 medicine delivery service via a quick commerce platform, citing conflict with longstanding pharmacy owners, regulatory hurdles amid a Delhi High Court injunction banning online medicine sales, and risks of drug misuse via teleconsultations.
Source: shorturl.at/lldc0

4. Drug regulators from five northern states reportedly met in Chandigarh to address counterfeit and psychotropic drug threats. They agreed to form an interstate coordination committee, adopt a unified tracking portal, conduct surprise inspections, implement SOPs, and strengthen cross-border enforcement through stricter legal and regulatory actions.
Source: shorturl.at/NG50D

5. The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea challenging the legality of declaring individuals as “brain dead” under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994. The Court emphasized that the determination of brain-stem death is a matter of legislative policy and declined to question its validity.
Source: shorturl.at/MPWKA