On 8 July 2026 the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified Navi Mumbai International Airport (Maharashtra) as an authorised port of entry for drug imports by amending Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
The Notification
- Date of notification: 8 July 2026.
- Legal instrument: Amendment to Rule 43A, Drugs Rules, 1945.
- Statutory consultation: Decision taken after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- Notified ports tally: Total authorised ports for drug imports in India now 42 across air, road, rail and sea.
Scope of imports at Navi Mumbai
- Permitted consignments: Medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other regulated healthcare products.
- Regulatory checks: Imports subject to central drug regulatory oversight and customs clearance at the notified port.
- Mode: Designated as an air entry point for pharmaceutical consignments.
Operational detail
- Authority for import control: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) implements import regulatory functions under the central legislation.
- Rule 43A role: Identifies ports authorised for drug import to regulate entry points and enforcement.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: Primary statute governing manufacture, sale and import of drugs in India.
- Drugs Rules, 1945: Provide procedural and operational details, including designation of import ports (Rule 43A).
- DTAB: Apex technical advisory body for drug policy and regulatory matters under the Act.