Odisha Makes Compelling Case for NIPER to Boost Pharma Excellence and Eastern India’s Research Hub

Odisha has come to a critical juncture both in terms of higher education and industrial development. On the one hand, the State has been successful in gradually broadening its technical and professional education sectors. However, it still does not have a nationally recognized institution that could serve as a cornerstone for high, level pharmaceutical education and research.

The lack of a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) is restricting Odishas capability to unlock the full potential of its pharmaceutical sector.

The insistence on establishing a NIPER in Odisha is neither a recent nor a trend driven idea. Since 2012, various academic circles and professional organizations, including the Odisha Pharmaceutical Industries Forum (OPIF) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Graduates Association (IPGA), have been on a continuous swing of this issue at the forefront.

The proposal was officially submitted to the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers at the time when Mr Srikant Jena was the Minister, and the argument has been taken up at the national level.

Later, the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik communicated to the Centre the States willingness along with the commitment to provide institutional support and make available the required infrastructure.

Odisha’s claim rests not merely on precedent but on proven capacity. The State has a long history of supporting pharmaceutical education, starting from the 17th century, and presently is home to a large network of pharmacy institutions that together contribute a huge number of diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate graduates annually. However, the lack of a research oriented national institution like a NIPER has resulted in a continuous flow of skilled people from the State to others for advanced education and research. This persistent leakage of human capital makes local research ecosystems weaker, hampers productive industry, academia collaboration, and limits the establishment of innovation, driven pharmaceutical enterprises in Odisha.

A NIPER in Odisha would be able to fill these structural holes. It would enhance postgraduate and doctoral education, increase pharmaceutical and translational research, and help create closer industry, academic institution partnerships. Importantly, it would also help correct regional imbalances in the distribution of national research institutions. Eastern India remains under- served in pharmaceutical education and innovation despite its growing industrial and human resource base, and Odisha is well positioned to serve as a regional anchor. There have been recent events that have given extra weight to this demand that has lasted for a long time. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has requested the Central Government to consider the setting up of a NIPER in Odisha, referring to the states growing educational ecosystem and the importance of the state in geopolitical terms.

The decision of the Centre to allocate funds through the budget to three new NIPERs under the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative is evidence enough of the suitability of Odisha in this context, especially considering the governments declared goal of making Eastern India a significant contributor to national growth. At the level of the State government, the present administration has on several occasions emphasized the development of Odisha as a pharmaceutical and healthcare hub through policy support and research, led growth.

The State Health Minister has communicated to the Legislative Assembly that a suitable plot of land at the State capital has been proposed for the creation of a NIPER, thus indicating the readiness of the administration. The moment for deliberation has passed; what Odisha now requires is decisive action. Through continuous efforts of advocacy, evidence of preparedness, agreement between the political parties, and clear national relevance, the case for setting up a NIPER in Odisha is both compelling and thorough.

The central government must grab this chance to turn words into action by giving the green light and fast, tracking the setting up of a NIPER in the state. Besides fulfilling the promise that has been made for a long time, it will also open the eastern region of India to the pharmaceutical market potential, keep and develop the local talent, and make India stronger in healthcare and life sciences through self, reliance.

A NIPER in Odisha would be an exemplary model of inclusive development wherein the visionary policy and purposeful execution would meet. The rest is a timely and decisive action from the centre.

With readiness of the institution, political consensus, and national relevance thoroughly established, the case for a NIPER in Odisha is hard to ignore. Green, lighting and fast, tracking the establishment of such an institution would not only be a tribute to the commitments made over the years but also a way to unlock the pharmaceutical potential of eastern India, keep and develop local talent, and make India self, reliant in healthcare and life sciences. A NIPER in Odisha would be a strong symbol of inclusive development, a place where policy vision and purposeful execution meet.