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Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

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.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

The scheme is operated by government agencies as well as by private entrepreneurs. | - Normal Incentive: The incentive provided to the Kendra owners has been enhanced from the existing ₹ 2,50,000/- to up to ₹ 5,00,000/- to be given @ 15% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of ₹ 15,000/- per month. | - Special Incentive: A one-time incentive of ₹ 2,00,000/- (in addition to normal incentives) is to be provided for furniture & fixtures and computers & printers to the PMBJP Kendras opened in the North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, Island territories, and backward areas mentioned as an aspirational district by NITI Aayog or opened by women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SCs& STs. | - The prices of Janaushadhi medicines are 50%–90% less than those of branded medicines in the open market. | - Medicines are procured only from World Health Organization-Good Manufacturing Practices (WHO-GMP)-certified suppliers to ensure the quality of the products. | - Each batch of the drug is tested at laboratories accredited by the ‘National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to ensure the best quality. | - The operating agency will be provided a 20% margin on the MRP (excluding taxes) of each drug. | Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin | As an important step in ensuring the health security for Indian women, Janaushadhi Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkins were launched on 27.08.2019 to be made available at Re.1/- per pad only. Janaushadhi Suvidha Napkins are being made available for sale in more than 10,000 PMBJP Kendras across the country. The cumulative sales of Suvidha Napkins as on 30.11.2023 is 47.87 crores.

Who can apply

Individual applicants must have a D. Pharma/B. Pharma degree, or he/she has to employ D. Pharma/B. Pharma degree holders and produce proof of the same at the time of submitting applications or at the time of final approval.; Any organization or NGO applying for a PMBJK will have to employ B. Pharma / D. Pharma degree holders and produce proof of the same at the time of submitting applications or at the time of final approval.; In government hospital premises, including medical colleges, the preferred agencies would be reputed NGOs/Charitable organizations, but individuals would also be eligible.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What Is Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)?

'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)' is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through dedicated outlets called 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra'. These provide generic medicines at a much lower price. The potency of these medicines is the same as compared to expensive branded medicines available on the open market.

What Is A Generic Medicine?

Generic drugs are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a proprietary or brand name. Generic drugs are equally effective and inexpensive compared to their branded counterparts.

What Is PMBI?

PMBI (Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.

How The Quality, Safety And Efficacy Of Medicines Are Ensured?

The quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines are ensured by getting each batch of medicines procured from CPSUs as well as private suppliers tested from NABL-approved laboratories and conforming to the required standards before the same are supplied to Super stockists /Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras from the warehouse of PMBI.

Are Generic Drugs As Effective As Branded Ones?

Generic drugs have the same efficacy and therapeutic value as that of branded medicines.

How Do Generic Medicines Benefit The Patients?

By taking generic medicines, a patient can reduce his/her expenditure on medicines drastically.

What Are The Medicines Available From Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras And What Are Their Prices?

The endeavor of PMBI is to make available all therapeutic medicines at Jan Aushadhi Stores. A list of medicines with their MRP which are presently available is given under the heading "PMBJP Products- Therapeutic groups" on the website of PMBI. More medicines are being added to this list.

How Many Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras Have Been Opened And What Are Their Locations?

More than 8604 are currently functional. A list of State-wise / District-wise PMBJK along with their locations are available under the heading "PMBJP => PMBJP Kendra" on the website of PMBI.

What Is The Timing (Opening And Closing) Of The Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras?

The normal working hours of PMBJK are 8 AM to 8 PM.

How The Medicines Are Procured And Supplied To Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras?

Medicines are procured through an open tender system from private manufacturers as well as CPSUs. Each batch of procured medicines are duly tested from impanelled NABL laboratories and sent to Kendra through distribution network.

Who Can Open A Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendras?

Individual entrepreneur / Proprietor | Partnership | Charitable Institute/Hospital | NGO/ Trust/ Society | Government/ Government Nominated Agency | Any Other (Please specify)

What Are The Requirements For Opening A Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra By An Organization / Individual Other Than A Government Nominated?

Own space or hired space duly supported by the proper lease agreement Minimum required space conforming to standards as approved by the PMBI Sale license from competent authority (Retail drug license in the name of the applicant and/or Tin No.) | Proof of securing a pharmacist (name of the pharmacist, Registration with the State Council etc. needs to be furnished) | Financial capacity to run the Store by submitting the document (ITR, Bank Statement, PAN/Aadhar, etc.) | Drug License in name of "Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra".

What is the procedure for opening a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras?

For detailed guidelines and procedures, please click "Apply for Kendra" on our website.

What incentives are available to a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras owner?

- Operating agency will be provided with a 20% margin on the MRP (excluding taxes) of each drug. | - Special Incentive: A special incentive shall be granted for PMBJK opened by women entrepreneurs, Divyaang, SCs & STs, Ex-servicemen & any entrepreneurs open 'Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)' at aspirational districts (backward district) as notified by the NITI Aayog & in Himalayan, Island territories and North- Eastern. An amount of [?]2.00 lakhs in addition to normal incentives as applicable is to be given to above-mentioned entrepreneurs as mentioned below :- | [?]1.50 lakh reimbursement of furniture and fixtures | [?]0.50 lakh as reimbursement for Computer, internet, printer, scanner etc. | This will be a one-time grant for the opening of a new PMBJK against submission of original bills and restricted up to actual expenditure incurred. | Note: "The Special incentive shall be granted to the Women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SCs & STs, Ex-servicemen & any entrepreneurs open 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)' at aspirational districts as notified by the Niti Aayog, In Himalayan, Island territories and North- Eastern states based on One Family - One Grant formula. It means any above-mentioned eligible PMBJK owner shall be granted a special incentive only once and no other person from his/her family/relative shall be granted special incentive thereafter. For this purpose, "Relative" means - "Relative", in relation to an individual, means the husband, Wife, unmarried dependent brother or sister or any lineal ascendant or descendant of that individual." | - Normal Incentive: PMBJK run by other entrepreneurs/Pharmacist/NGOs/NGOs & Charitable organization that are linked with PMBI headquarters through software will get incentive up to [?] 5.00 lakhs. The incentive will be given @ 15% of monthly purchase made from PMBI by these PMBJKs subject to ceiling of [?]15,000/- per month up to total limit of 5.00 lakhs. It will also cover PMBJK opened by Women entrepreneurs, Divyang, SCs & STs, Ex-servicemen & any entrepreneurs open 'Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK)' at aspirational districts as notified by the Niti Aayog, In Himalayan, Island territories and North- Eastern state. | This will be applicable to existing PMBJK also whose existing limit of incentives of [?] 2.50 lakh is fully disbursed, moreover it will also cover the PMBJK opened in government premises to Whom one-time grant of [?]2.50 lakh was disbursed. They will get incentive of [?]2.50 lakh based on purchase made by them from PMBI as per other terms and conditions applicable to all PMBJKs. | Further, any PMBJK opened in Government premises will get normal incentives as applicable to PMBJK in private premises.