About this business scheme
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, in November 2008. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to make quality generic medicines available to all at affordable prices.
The scheme Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, in November 2008. Branded medicines are sold at significantly higher prices than their unbranded generic equivalents, though both are identical in therapeutic value. Given the widespread poverty across the country, making reasonably priced quality generic medicines available in the market benefits all sections of society.
Objectives:
To make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, PMBJP was launched by the Government of India in November 2008. Under the scheme, dedicated outlets known as Janaushadhi Kendras are opened to provide generic medicines at affordable prices. As of March 2026, more than 19,000 Kendras are functional across the country. The product basket comprises 2,100 medicines and 300 surgical items. The scheme is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) [erstwhile BPPI], registered under the Societies Registration Act.
Objectives include:
- Ensuring access to quality medicines for all, especially the poor and deprived.
- Creating awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity to counter the perception that quality is linked only to high prices.
- Generating employment by engaging entrepreneurs in opening Kendras.
Benefits at a glance
| Scheme name | Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) (PMBJP) |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry Of Chemicals And Fertilizers |
| Department | Department Of Pharmaceuticals |
| Launch year | 2008 |
| Benefit type | Composite (cash plus goods or services) |
| Category | Business |
| Level / State | Central · All India |
| Official portal | janaushadhi.gov.in (link at the end of this page) |
Key facts
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
|---|---|
| Implementing agency | Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau Of India (PMBI) |
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Application mode | Online |
| Last date | Ongoing (no last date notified) |
| DBT (direct bank transfer) | Yes |
Who can apply (quick check)
- 👤All genders
- 🎂Age 18 to 80 years
- 📝Online
Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.
What you receive
The scheme is operated by government agencies as well as private entrepreneurs.
1. Normal Incentive:
- PMBJKs run by entrepreneurs/Pharmacists/Trusts/Societies & Charitable Organizations linked with PMBI headquarters through PoS software receive incentives.
- Incentive @ 20% of monthly purchase from PMBI, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 20,000 per month.
- Disbursed on a 50:50 basis:
- 10% incentive on purchase (up to Rs. 10,000).
- 10% incentive for maintaining stock of 200 medicines (up to Rs. 10,000).
2. Special Incentive:
- One-time grant of Rs. 2 lakh for women entrepreneurs, SC/ST, Divyangjan, ex-servicemen, and entrepreneurs in aspirational districts, Himalayan, island, and North-Eastern regions.
- Rs. 1.5 lakh reimbursement for furniture/fixtures.
- Rs. 0.5 lakh reimbursement for computer, internet, printer, etc.
3. Affordable Medicines:
- Prices of Janaushadhi medicines are 50%–80% lower than branded medicines.
4. Quality Assurance:
- Medicines procured only from WHO-GMP certified suppliers.
5. Testing:
- Each batch is tested at NABL-accredited laboratories.
6. Margin:
- Operating agencies receive a 20% margin on MRP (excluding taxes) of each drug.
Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin:
Launched on 27 August 2019, Janaushadhi Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins are available at Rs. 1 per pad.
- Distributed through all Kendras nationwide.
- Cumulative sales crossed 100 crore pads by March 2026.
Who qualifies
Individuals:
- The applicant must hold D. Pharma/B. Pharma degree or employ qualified pharmacists.
Organizations/NGOs:
- The applicant must employ B. Pharma/D. Pharma degree holders.
Government hospital premises (including medical colleges):
- Preference to reputed NGOs/charitable organizations though individuals are also eligible.
Who is not eligible
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Papers to keep ready
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At the Application Stage
At the Setup and Final Approval Stage
Registration walkthrough
Online
Step 1: Accessing the Online Application Portal
- The applicant must navigate to the official website of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India to initiate the application process.
- The complete URL to access the official portal is https://janaushadhi.gov.in.
Step 2: Filling the Application and Selecting Categories
- The applicant must fill out all mandatory details accurately on the digital application form.
- During this step, the applicant must ensure they select the correct category (such as woman entrepreneur, SC, ST, Divyang, etc.) to avail special benefits, as this category selection cannot be altered in the future under any circumstances.
Step 3: Payment of the Application Fee
- The applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 5,000/- along with the application form through the integrated online payment gateway.
- However, if the applicant belongs to special categories like women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SC, ST, ex-servicemen, or specific backward geographical regions, they must submit proof of their category to be exempted from this fee.
Step 4: Signing the Operating Agreement
- Once the application is approved, the applicant must officially enter into an agreement with the PMBI before commencing any store operations.
- This agreement legally binds the applicant to follow all operational terms and conditions set forth by the agency.
Step 5: Securing Drug Licenses and System Setup
- The applicant is required to secure a valid drug license from the local authorities strictly in the name of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra.
- The applicant must also adopt PMBI’s billing software and provide the required bank cheques before receiving the initial dispatch of generic medicines and surgical items.
Important dates
| Launch / start | 23 Apr 2008 |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I wish to open a store right next to a large private hospital with over one hundred beds, considering there is usually a strict distance rule?
You are exempt from the 1km distance restriction if the location is within 500 meters of private hospitals having 100 or more beds, district government hospitals, or medical college hospitals.
I am looking to lease a commercial property to set up my retail pharmacy business, but I need to know the exact minimum physical dimensions legally required to be eligible.
You must secure either an owned or hired space of at least 120 square feet, backed by a proper lease agreement or space allotment letter.
As an individual applicant without a medical background, what are the specific educational requirements I need to fulfill regarding pharmacy degrees to be considered for opening a store?
You must either hold a Diploma in Pharmacy or a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree yourself, or you must employ someone who holds one of these specific degrees.
When organizing the financial documents for my application, how many active bank instruments must I issue in favor of the implementing agency, and from what type of institution?
You are required to submit three cheques issued specifically from an Indian Nationalized Bank in favor of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India to facilitate goods payments.
If I intend to establish a dispensing unit inside the premises of a government hospital or medical college, will individual applicants or specific organizational entities be prioritized?
Reputed Non-Governmental Organizations and charitable organizations are preferred for these specific institutional locations, although individual applicants remain eligible to apply.
Suppose I make an error while selecting my demographic category on the application form; will I have the opportunity to rectify or update this selection at a later stage?
Once you select a specific category during the initial application to claim suitable benefits, you are strictly prohibited from changing it in the future for any reason.
Once the retail space is fully operational and approved, am I permitted to lease out a portion of the shop to another vendor or business owner to cover rent?
The allotted premises must be utilized solely for operating the mandated store, and you cannot transfer or sublet any part of the space directly or indirectly.
Apart from the payment instruments required for supply transactions, what other specific banking stationery must be submitted to the overarching pharmaceutical bureau during the application process?
You must provide one cancelled cheque drawn from an Indian Nationalized Bank to the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India.
At what exact stage of the evaluation process am I strictly required to submit the registration details and official name of the pharmacist I have hired for the shop?
You can submit the required proof of securing a pharmacist, including their name and registration with the State Council, either during the initial application or at the time of final approval.
Before commencing the sale of medications to the public, whose responsibility is it to secure the necessary statutory permissions and what exact name must be on the license?
It is your sole responsibility to obtain the required drug license and other permissions explicitly in the name of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra.
In order to prevent unnecessary competition between similar retail outlets in the same district, what is the mandatory minimum geographic gap required between two approved medical stores?
A minimum distance of 1.00 Kilometer must be strictly maintained between two separate operating units when applying for a new location anywhere in the country.
If I belong to a marginalized group or reside in a specified backward geographical area and wish to claim the associated financial incentives, what documentation must I attach?
You must submit suitable certificates or proof from respective authorities along with an undertaking if applying as a woman entrepreneur, Ex-Serviceman, Person with Disability, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or from specific regions.
If our established charitable trust or society applies to manage a medical outlet, are we mandated to have qualified pharmaceutical staff on our payroll from the beginning?
Yes, trusts, societies, and charitable organizations must officially employ Diploma in Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy degree holders and provide evidence of their employment.
Will the government bureau implementing this health initiative assist me in finding, securing, or arranging the physical real estate required to set up the dispensing facility?
No, the applicant is solely responsible for arranging the necessary physical space for establishing and operating the store; the implementing bureau has no role in this process.
Submit your application yourself on the official portal; it costs nothing. Treat anyone demanding money to "get you approved" as a scam.
- Guidelines janaushadhi.gov.in (PDF)
- Official Website janaushadhi.gov.in
tsmpb.in is not affiliated with any government department. Apply only on the official portal and never pay anyone for an application.
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