Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) constitutes six sector-specific working groups to identify 100 products for domestic manufacturing

Key facts

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has constituted six sector-specific working groups to identify up to 100 products to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
• The six working groups focus on pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical devices; chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles and footwear; capital goods, automotive and electric vehicles, advanced capital goods; energy; construction equipment and infrastructure; and defence and aerospace (civilian applicability only) and electronics.
• These groups are chaired by the secretary of the DPIIT and are required to submit the final list of items to the cabinet secretariat within three weeks.
• Participating members include officials from the ministries and departments of commerce, DPIIT, Niti Aayog, pharmaceuticals, economic affairs, science and technology, chemicals, textiles, heavy industry, ports and shipping, electronics and IT, road transport, new and renewable energy, and oil.
• India's imports rose by 7.5 per cent to USD 775 billion in 2025-26.
• Key imports in the last fiscal included crude oil (USD 174 billion), electronic goods (USD 116.2 billion), machinery (USD 61.73 billion), transport equipment (USD 34.75 billion), chemicals (about USD 28 billion), coal, coke and briquettes (USD 27.9 billion), artificial resins and plastic materials (USD 22.75 billion), vegetable oil (USD 19.5 billion), fertiliser (USD 16 billion), and ores and minerals (USD 14.12 billion).