Over the past twelve years, the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC), under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, has undertaken policy reforms, infrastructure development, capacity building, skill development, quality enhancement, and investment promotion initiatives for the chemical and petrochemical sector. These initiatives have contributed to domestic manufacturing, innovation, employment generation, investment, and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The Chemical Promotion and Development Scheme (CPDS), a sub-scheme under the New Scheme of Petrochemicals (NSP), a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Department, has supported the development of the chemical and petrochemical sector through conferences, exhibitions, training programmes, studies, and awareness-building initiatives.

DCPC is also promoting safe and judicious use of pesticides in crops through awareness programs conducted by HIL (India) Limited, a PSU under the Department, and Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), an Autonomous Body under the Department. Under CPDS, both organisations are conducting farmers' training programmes on the safe and judicious use of pesticides and promoting the adoption of Integrated Pest Management Practices to minimize pesticide residue in food grains, edible oils, fruits, and vegetables. Till date, more than 250 programs have been organized benefitting more than One  Lakh farmers across the country.

The Department has initiated a nationwide training programme for the workforce of Major Accident Hazardous (MAH) Units on the "Safe handling of hazardous chemicals at the workplace and reducing risk associated with hazardous chemicals" under the Viksit Bharat@2047 Action Plan. The program is designed to cover all the 2,393 MAH Units over a period of 5 years. Each programme covers 100 participants from 50 MAH units, with 2 employees from each unit. Till date, 21 such training programs have been organized across the country. The programme has been attended by 1,376 industrial units, and a total of 2,441 personnel have been trained.

The three operational Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIRs) at Dahej (Gujarat), Visakhapatnam–Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), and Paradeep (Odisha) have attracted investments of Rs 3.4 lakh crore, generated 3.7 lakh jobs, and facilitated the establishment of over 2,200 chemical manufacturing units.

To protect consumers, promote quality manufacturing and curb sub-standard imports the department has issued Quality Control Orders (QCOs) from time to time. Currently, a total of 37 QCOs are in force.

India's FDI policy, allowing 100% FDI under the automatic route for most chemical sectors, has supported investment in the sector. FDI inflow during 2014–2026 stood at Rs. 1,04,895 crores more than double the FDI received during 2004–2014 ( Rs. 45,240 crores).

The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals has expanded infrastructure support for downstream plastic processing industries. 10 Plastic Parks have been approved across the country. Four Plastic Parks have achieved 100% infrastructure completion, including 3 completed during 2025–26. Furthermore, the department has expanded the network of the Centre of Excellence to support research and innovation. The 18 Centres of Excellence have filed 85 patents, published over 600 research papers, and developed 105 new technologies/products.

The Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) has expanded its network and facilities by establishing the Centre for Skilling and Technical Support (CSTS), Plastic Waste Management Centre (PWMC), School of Advance Research in Petrochemicals (SARP), Advance Research School for Technology and Product Simulation (ARSTPS), and Advance Polymer Design and Development Research Laboratory (APDDRL). The CIPET network has expanded to 51 centres, including 19 established since 2014, of which 03 are Plastic Waste Management Centres (PWMCs). CIPET has trained nearly 6.72 lakh skilled professionals, including over 5.21 lakh during 2014-24, and completed 8.53 lakh Technology Support Service assignments during 2014-24.

In the Union Budget 2026–27, the Government announced a scheme to establish three Chemical Parks on a cluster-based plug-and-play model to strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and enhance global competitiveness. The Union Cabinet has approved BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan) for setting up three Chemical Parks, with a provision of over Rs 3030 crore. The proposed parks are expected to support the chemical sector and the integrated circular economy principle.

Over the last 12 years, the Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), Gurugram, has developed capabilities in sustainable crop protection, agrochemical formulation, and advanced analytical sciences. Equipped with laboratories and pilot-scale facilities, IPFT has developed and transferred 64 pesticide formulation technologies to the industry. The Institute is NABL-accredited and an OECD-GLP-compliant Test Facility. Department of Science and Technology (DBT) has sanctioned Rs. 28.69 crore for establishing a Biofoundry Facility for biopesticides and advanced biological formulations. The IPFT has also been notified as an authorised laboratory for biostimulant testing under the Fertilizers Control Order ( FCO), 1985.

Through IPFT, the Department has conducted 45 farmer awareness programmes across the country on the safe and judicious use of pesticides and the promotion of biopesticides, benefiting 16,436 farmers. IPFT secured an “A” rating in the 59th OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) Proficiency Test and was awarded a global OPCW contract to conduct advanced analytical training for internationally nominated participants.

Over the past twelve years, the Department has undertaken initiatives in infrastructure development, policy reforms, investment promotion, skill development, and research to support the Chemicals and Petrochemicals sector. These efforts have contributed to manufacturing, employment, exports, and sustainable growth.

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DHARMENDRA / PALLAVI