India is preparing a new Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Act, aimed at strengthening quality control, market surveillance, and regulatory modernization across the country’s healthcare and cosmetics sectors.

The draft Act was officially presented on October 14, 2025, and is expected to be formally presented during the Winter Session of Parliament in December for discussion and approval. Once enacted, it will replace the existing Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, introducing one of the most comprehensive updates to India’s regulatory framework in over eight decades.

The proposed Act seeks to:
– Enhance quality control and market surveillance forcosmetics, drugs and medical devices.
– Modernize regulatory oversight, aligning with international best practices.
– Digitize the licensing process to increase efficiency and transparency.
– Upgrade national testing laboratories to improve analytical capabilities.

The new Act represents a significant step toward digitization, transparency, and global alignment in India’s cosmetics regulation; The reforms could lead to stricter compliance requirements but also greater consumer trust and increase the export potential in the long term.