Clinical research in India is large and growing. On 8 October 2026, ClinicalTrials.gov listed 490 recruiting interventional trials with a site in India — nearly half of them phase 3, many run by global companies such as AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Pfizer and Novartis, and others led by Indian centres such as Tata Memorial Centre and AIIMS. Trials are regulated by CDSCO under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, need ethics-committee approval, must be registered with CTRI, and provide compensation for trial-related injury. CROs must register with CDSCO from April 2025.
Key takeaways
- 490 interventional trials were recruiting in India on 8 Oct 2026; 227 were phase 3.
- Global sponsors and Indian institutes (Tata Memorial, AIIMS, PGIMER) both lead trials.
- Cancer and cardiometabolic diseases make up the largest share.
- Key rules: NDCT Rules 2019, CTRI registration, ethics committees, injury compensation.
- Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune have the most recruiting trials.
Clinical research in India in numbers (2026)
We read all 490 trial records listed on ClinicalTrials.gov as recruiting with an Indian site on 8 October 2026. Many Indian trials are listed only on India’s CTRI registry, so the true total is higher.
490 recruiting trials
Interventional trials enrolling patients at Indian sites right now.
227 phase 3 trials
Late-stage studies — 46% of the total — that decide whether a drug is approved.
232 multinational trials
Studies running at 20 or more sites worldwide, with India as one of the countries.
6,652 studies
Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov that have ever listed a site in India.
Trials (of 490)
- Cancer
- 131
- Diabetes, obesity, heart and kidney disease
- 86
- Infectious diseases and vaccines
- 28
- Brain and mental health
- 28
- Immune and inflammatory diseases
- 27
- Respiratory diseases
- 20
Who runs clinical trials in India?
Recruiting trials in India
- AstraZeneca
- 47
- Tata Memorial Centre
- 25
- Eli Lilly and Company
- 20
- Pfizer
- 18
- Novartis
- 17
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- 17
- PGIMER, Chandigarh
- 16
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- 13
Global pharma companies run trials through CROs and site networks, while Indian academic centres such as Tata Memorial Centre, AIIMS and PGIMER run their own investigator-led studies. Learn how sponsors, CROs and sites fit together in our CRO guide.
Where clinical research happens in India
Recruiting trials
- Hyderabad
- 154
- Delhi / New Delhi
- 149
- Mumbai
- 146
- Bengaluru
- 114
- Pune
- 109
- Chennai
- 48
Many trials run in several cities at once, so city totals add up to more than 490. These cities also host most CRO, data-management and drug-safety teams. See our city guides for Mumbai and our Bangalore classroom course.
Rules for clinical research in India
- Regulator — the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), headed by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
- Main law — the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 (NDCT Rules), under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. They replaced Schedule Y.
- Approval timelines — 30 working days for drugs discovered or developed in India, 90 working days for others; if CDSCO does not reply in time, approval is deemed granted.
- Ethics committees — must be registered with CDSCO; no trial can start without their approval.
- CTRI registration — mandatory since 15 June 2009, before the first participant is enrolled.
- Compensation — Chapter VI of the NDCT Rules requires free medical management and compensation for trial-related injury or death; serious adverse events are reported within 14 days.
- Local-trial waiver — since a 7 August 2024 order, CDSCO can consider waiving local trials for certain drugs already approved in the USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada or the EU.
- CRO registration — CROs must register with CDSCO (Form CT-07B) from 1 April 2025.
All trials also follow international Good Clinical Practice (ICH E6(R3)). New to the basics? Read what is clinical research.
Why global companies choose India for trials
Large, diverse patient population
Faster recruitment for common diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Experienced hospitals
Major hospitals and academic centres with research experience.
Skilled, English-speaking workforce
Large pools of doctors, pharmacists and life science graduates.
Clear, detailed rules
Defined timelines, registration and compensation under the NDCT Rules.
Careers in clinical research
Every trial in the tables above needs site coordinators, monitors, data managers, drug-safety associates, statisticians and regulatory staff. Read the full clinical research career guide for roles and salaries.
Duration
- CRA Training Program
- 1.5 months
- PG Diploma in Clinical Research
- 7.5 months
Fee
- CRA Training Program
- ₹19,500
Best for
- CRA Training Program
- Site and monitoring roles
- Advanced Diploma in Clinical Research
- CR, CDM, PV and RA basics, with internship
- PG Diploma in Clinical Research
- Full programme with Clinical SAS and internship
BCRI students working in clinical research
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Placements across BCRI programmes. Placement assistance, not a job guarantee. See all on the Career Hub
FAQs
How many clinical trials are running in India?
On 8 October 2026, ClinicalTrials.gov listed 490 interventional trials recruiting at Indian sites, 227 of them phase 3. Many Indian trials are listed only on CTRI, so the real number is higher.
Who regulates clinical research in India?
CDSCO, headed by the Drugs Controller General of India, under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. Ethics committees approve each trial, and trials must be registered with CTRI.
How long does trial approval take in India?
Under the NDCT Rules, 30 working days for drugs discovered or developed in India and 90 working days for others. If CDSCO does not respond in time, approval is deemed granted.
Do participants get compensation in Indian trials?
Yes. Chapter VI of the NDCT Rules requires free medical management and compensation for trial-related injury or death, decided with CDSCO’s expert committee.
Which cities have the most clinical trials in India?
Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune had the most recruiting trials on ClinicalTrials.gov in October 2026, followed by Chennai.
Is clinical research a good career in India?
Yes. Hundreds of trials need trained site, monitoring, data, safety and regulatory staff, and India also supports global trials through CRO and IT teams.