India Medical Gases Market, By Gas Type (Pure Gas, Gas Mixtures), By Application (Therapeutic, Diagnostic, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry, Others), By End User (Hospitals, Home Healthcare, Academic and Research Institutions, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

India Medical Gases Market was valued at USD 715.50 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1135.10 Million by 2030, growing with a CAGR of 8.10% in the forecast period.

The India medical gases market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the expanding healthcare infrastructure and increasing demand for high-quality medical treatments. Medical gases, including oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and medical air, play a critical role in patient care across hospitals, clinics, and homecare settings. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of reliable oxygen supply, accelerating investments in gas production, distribution, and storage infrastructure. Technological advancements and automation in gas delivery systems have also contributed to the market’s evolution. Healthcare providers are increasingly adopting centralized pipeline systems for improved efficiency and safety.

Also, the growing number of surgeries, critical care procedures, and chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma continue to drive the consumption of medical gases. Private sector participation and public health initiatives are helping expand access to medical gases in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, which were previously underserved. This regional expansion is supported by local manufacturing and collaborations between healthcare institutions and gas suppliers. In addition, the government's push toward self-reliance in medical essentials has encouraged domestic production of oxygen plants and related equipment.

While the market shows promise, it also faces challenges, including inconsistent regulatory compliance and logistical constraints in remote areas. However, with the increasing focus on healthcare quality and emergency preparedness, the medical gases market in India is expected to maintain a robust growth trajectory. Continued innovation, policy support, and infrastructure investments will be pivotal in shaping its future.

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Key Market Drivers

Rise in Chronic and Respiratory Diseases

India is witnessing a sharp rise in chronic and respiratory diseases, which is significantly driving the medical gases market. Conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases are becoming common due to air pollution, where cities frequently experience AQI levels between 300 and 500, smoking, and aging demographics. Nearly 7% of individuals aged over 30 in India suffer from COPD, making it one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory conditions. This equates to an estimated 55 million people nationwide, with the WHO projecting that COPD-related deaths could reach 1.6 million annually by the end of 2025.

The frequent need for oxygen therapy in COPD management creates a sustained demand for medical oxygen. Asthma is another escalating concern; the Global Asthma Report identifies India as home to 35 million asthma patients, carrying more than one-tenth of the global disease burden. In major urban centers, asthma-related hospital admissions have increased by a fifth in the past five years, reflecting the impact of climate-induced smog and particulate matter. These clinical demands have forced hospitals to expand intensive care units and invest in centralized gas pipeline systems, while home healthcare providers are rapidly stocking portable oxygen concentrators for long-term respiratory support.

Aging and Growing Geriatric Population

India’s aging population is emerging as a primary driver of medical gas demand. As the population transitions, the need for surgical recovery and chronic care increases, areas where oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air are indispensable. Data from the National Commission on Population (PIB 2022/2025) indicates that the number of senior citizens (aged 60 and above) is expected to reach 173.2 million by 2026, eventually surging to 230 million by 2036. This demographic shift places immense pressure on healthcare infrastructure, particularly as one in ten Indians now falls into this age group.

With advancing age, the frequency of surgical interventions such as cataract surgery, hip replacement, and cardiac procedures increases significantly. Research in Springer Medizin (2024) on urban surgical needs found that the maximum number of procedures occurred in the 60-69 age decade. This heightened surgical volume necessitates a reliable supply of anesthesia gases and post-operative oxygen. Furthermore, the NITI Aayog Senior Care Reforms (2024) highlight that elderly patients now account for nearly 30% of ICU occupancy in many urban hospitals. This concentration of high-acuity patients reinforces the need for bulk oxygen storage, on-site generation (PSA plants), and automated distribution networks to ensure clinical safety.

Expanding Healthcare Infrastructure

India’s expanding healthcare infrastructure is playing a crucial role in driving the growth of the medical gases market. As the country invests in strengthening medical services across urban and rural areas, the demand for essential medical supplies especially gases like oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air is rising rapidly. In recent years, the number of government and private hospitals in India has grown significantly. The country currently has over 70,000 hospitals and healthcare centers, with many new facilities being developed in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. This expansion is increasing the need for centralized gas pipeline systems and bulk storage solutions, particularly in newly established intensive care units and operating theatres.

Another key driver is the increase in hospital beds per capita. India has added thousands of hospital beds in both public and private sectors to improve patient care and emergency preparedness. During periods of peak demand, such as the COVID-19 crisis, many hospitals scaled up their oxygen infrastructure, highlighting the critical role medical gases play in emergency response and critical care. New healthcare policies and funding programs are also supporting the establishment of medical colleges and district-level facilities, each of which requires fully functional gas delivery systems. The rise in day-care surgeries, diagnostics, and specialty clinics is driving a steady increase in medical gas consumption.

As healthcare access broadens and facilities become more technologically advanced, medical gases are becoming integral to daily clinical operations. This infrastructure-driven growth is ensuring strong, sustained demand across India’s expanding medical landscape.

Key Market Challenges

Regulatory Inconsistencies

Regulatory inconsistencies present a significant challenge to the growth of the medical gases market in India. While medical gases are categorized as drugs under Indian law, their regulation and enforcement vary widely across states and institutions. This lack of uniformity in compliance, licensing, and inspection can create confusion for manufacturers, distributors, and end users alike. Different states often interpret or implement guidelines differently, leading to fragmented compliance standards. For example, one region may require detailed purity and packaging checks, while another might have minimal oversight. This disparity can affect product quality, safety, and reliability across the supply chain. It also makes it difficult for manufacturers to operate seamlessly on a national level, increasing the administrative burden and limiting scalability.

Licensing procedures are another area of concern. Some gas suppliers face delays due to unclear or overlapping regulatory processes, which slow down their ability to expand or enter new markets. Smaller players in particular struggle to meet compliance requirements due to a lack of regulatory clarity or technical knowledge, often operating without adequate quality control systems. These inconsistencies also raise safety risks. Improper storage, labeling, or handling of medical gases due to non-compliance can lead to contamination, incorrect usage, or accidents. Such incidents not only endanger patients but also damage trust in the healthcare system. For the medical gases market to grow in a structured and safe manner, a unified regulatory framework with clear guidelines and strict enforcement is essential. Standardization will ensure product quality, encourage investment, and support long-term growth across India’s healthcare sector.

Supply Chain Bottlenecks

Supply chain bottlenecks present a critical challenge to the growth of the medical gases market in India. While demand for oxygen, nitrous oxide, and other gases continues to rise with the expansion of healthcare services, the supply chain has struggled to keep pace, especially in remote and underserved regions. Efficient distribution is essential to ensure that hospitals, clinics, and homecare providers have uninterrupted access to life-saving gases. One of the main issues is the lack of adequate transportation infrastructure. Many rural and semi-urban areas do not have the required facilities for safe and timely delivery of cryogenic oxygen or compressed gas cylinders. Limited availability of cryogenic tankers and delays at filling stations often result in supply shortages during high-demand periods, such as during public health emergencies.

Storage infrastructure also remains a concern. Not all hospitals are equipped with large-volume tanks or oxygen generation systems, making them dependent on frequent cylinder refills, which can be delayed due to logistical inefficiencies. Urban centers may experience fewer issues, but even in major cities, traffic congestion and handling limitations can affect timely deliveries. There is also a shortage of skilled manpower for managing gas logistics, including cylinder handling, storage, and quality checks. This can result in leakages, contamination, or delivery errors, impacting patient safety and increasing operational costs for healthcare facilities. To support the growing medical gases market, investments in distribution networks, trained logistics personnel, and regional storage hubs are needed. Strengthening the supply chain is essential to meet rising demand and ensure reliability across India’s diverse healthcare landscape.

Key Market Trends

Growth of Home Healthcare

The growth of home healthcare is playing a vital role in driving the expansion of the medical gases market in India. As more patients opt for treatment and recovery at home, especially those with chronic respiratory conditions, demand for portable medical gas solutions, such as oxygen concentrators and cylinders, is steadily increasing. This trend is largely fueled by the aging population, rising cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and heart-related ailments. The number of cases of COPD in India increased from 28.1 million in 1990 to 55.3 million in 2016, an increase in prevalence from 3.3% to 4.2%. There were 37.9 million asthma cases in India in 2016. COPD and asthma accounted for 75.6% and 20.0% of the chronic respiratory disease DALYs in India in 2016, respectively. Of the total global DALYs due to chronic respiratory diseases in 2016, 32.0% occurred in India.

These conditions often require long-term oxygen therapy, which can be effectively managed at home with the right equipment. Patients and caregivers are seeking convenience, comfort, and cost-effective care without compromising on treatment quality. Healthcare providers are responding by offering comprehensive homecare packages that include regular oxygen supply, equipment maintenance, and remote monitoring. The growth of telemedicine and digital health platforms has also supported this shift, enabling medical professionals to oversee oxygen therapy and adjust treatment protocols without in-person visits.​

As a result, suppliers of medical gases are expanding their reach to serve residential customers. Companies are developing lighter, more efficient oxygen concentrators and refillable cylinders that are easy to operate and maintain at home. Leading brands in India include Nidek Nuvo Lite (made in USA), Devilbiss 5-LPM, Philips Respironics Everflo, Evox 5s (made in India), and Oxymed Mini (made in China), all providing service networks across major Indian cities. For higher capacity needs, 10 LPM models include Nidek Nuvo-10, Devilbiss 10-LPM, Evox 10s, Oxymed 10-LPM, and BPL Oxy-10 Neo, which has service centers in all major metro cities of the country. The price range of medical-grade oxygen concentrators starts from Rs 36,000 and goes up to 2 Lakh, with good-quality 5 Liter Oxygen concentrators costing around this range.

In the pre-COVID-19 period, India produced 6900 MT of oxygen, with only 1000 MT designated for medical use; this rose to 19940 MT due to improved in-house oxygen production, affordable innovations, and better storage capabilities. Logistics systems are also being adapted to support doorstep delivery and timely refills. The increasing preference for home-based treatment is transforming the market dynamics. It is encouraging manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers to focus on innovation, accessibility, and service reliability, all of which are essential for sustaining the rising demand for medical gases in the home healthcare segment across India.

Shift Toward On-Site Oxygen Generation

The shift toward on-site oxygen generation is becoming a defining trend in the growth of the medical gases market in India. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are increasingly moving away from traditional cylinder-based supply systems and adopting in-house oxygen production through Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants. This shift is largely driven by the need for uninterrupted oxygen availability, cost efficiency, and better control over supply chains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare providers faced critical shortages of medical oxygen due to transportation delays and limited external supply. These challenges highlighted the vulnerability of depending solely on centralized suppliers. In response, hospitals began installing on-site oxygen plants to ensure a stable and continuous supply for critical care units and general wards.

On-site generation enables healthcare facilities to produce oxygen to the required purity levels, reducing reliance on third-party vendors and eliminating the logistical hurdles of cylinder refills. The technology has become more affordable and scalable, making it viable for both large hospitals and smaller regional facilities. This trend is not limited to urban centers. Many district hospitals and government-run institutions in tier 2 and tier 3 cities are now equipped with PSA plants to enhance emergency preparedness and routine patient care. It also aligns with national efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and reduce supply chain bottlenecks.

As on-site generation becomes standard practice, the medical gases market is evolving to support installation, maintenance, and technical training services. This transition is improving the resilience and efficiency of oxygen supply systems across India’s diverse healthcare landscape.

Segmental Insights

Gas Type Insights

Based on gas type, in the India medical gases market, pure gases hold a dominant position over gas mixtures. This is primarily due to the widespread and consistent demand for pure oxygen across various levels of healthcare, from primary care centers to advanced tertiary hospitals. Oxygen is essential for a wide range of medical applications including surgery, emergency care, intensive care units, and chronic respiratory therapy. Its critical role in life-saving interventions ensures its continued and widespread use. Pure nitrous oxide and medical air also contribute significantly to this segment, commonly used in anesthesia and ventilatory support. These gases are integral to daily hospital operations, which makes their supply and storage a top priority for healthcare providers. Gas mixtures, while important, are more specialized and used in specific clinical scenarios such as neonatal care, lung function testing, or certain types of anesthesia. Their demand tends to be more situational and limited than that of pure gases. The consistent use, broader applications, and the necessity of pure gases in both routine and critical medical procedures give them a stronger, more stable presence in the Indian medical gases market.

Application Insights

Based on application, In the India medical gases market, the therapeutic segment was the dominant category among therapeutic, diagnostic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, and others. This dominance is primarily driven by the essential role medical gases play in direct patient care and clinical treatment across a wide range of medical settings. Therapeutic gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air are critical for managing respiratory conditions, anesthesia administration, surgical support, and intensive care treatment. Oxygen, in particular, is one of the most frequently used therapeutic agents in both emergency and long-term care. The high prevalence of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and post-operative recovery needs has ensured that therapeutic use remains a daily necessity in hospitals and clinics.

Unlike diagnostic or pharmaceutical applications, which are more specialized or occasional, therapeutic gases are used routinely and in large volumes. They are indispensable in emergency departments, operation theatres, and ICUs, where uninterrupted supply can be a matter of life and death. Home healthcare also contributes significantly to this segment, with many patients relying on oxygen therapy for chronic disease management. The constant and widespread reliance on medical gases for life-sustaining treatments ensures that the therapeutic segment remains the largest and most stable contributor to the growth of the medical gases market in India.

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Regional Insights

Based on region, the dominant region in the India medical gases market is the North region, which includes key states such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. This region holds a leading position due to its well-established healthcare infrastructure, higher concentration of tertiary hospitals, and greater investment in advanced medical facilities.

Northern India is home to several government and private healthcare institutions that offer specialized and critical care services, which require a continuous and high-volume supply of medical gases like oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air. The presence of large multispecialty hospitals, medical colleges, and super-specialty centers increases the demand for gases used in surgery, intensive care, and emergency services. Urbanization and higher awareness of healthcare access in cities such as Delhi and Chandigarh also contribute to the greater consumption of medical gases. In addition, the North region has witnessed significant public and private investment in healthcare infrastructure, including installation of on-site oxygen generation plants and centralized gas pipeline systems.

The region's strategic location with better logistics and distribution networks allows for more efficient transportation and supply of gases across hospitals and remote healthcare centers. These combined factors make Northern India the dominant contributor to the medical gases market in the country.

Recent Development

• In September 2025, Linde India commenced commercial production at its new gas facility in Unnao, Lucknow, to strengthen bulk gas supply, including hospital-grade medical gases, while improving storage, handling, and distribution capabilities across Uttar Pradesh.
• In September 2025, multiple market updates confirmed that Linde India’s Unnao facility had gone live, emphasizing its role in improving medical gas supply reliability for hospitals and healthcare institutions throughout the region.
• In March 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) outlined an expanded scope of Quality Control Orders and safety standards for critical products, directly intersecting with medical oxygen quality and respiratory safety frameworks used by hospitals and gas suppliers.
• In July 2024, Air Liquide India inaugurated a large liquid gases Air Separation Unit (ASU) at Kosi, Mathura, with a high daily output capacity to serve both hospitals particularly for medical oxygen and industrial customers across North India, marking it as the largest liquid gases plant in Uttar Pradesh.
• In August 2024, Linde India reported the commissioning and commercial launch of its new Lucknow facility, designed to significantly enhance the supply of bulk medical and industrial gases essential for hospital operations and regional healthcare demand.
• In September 2024, AIIMS Patna issued a tender for the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of medical gas pipeline systems including oxygen and suction lines for neonatal intensive care and disaster response areas, reflecting infrastructure upgrades in tertiary care facilities.
• In September 2024, the Government e-Procurement (GeM) portal released bid documents specifying technical standards for medical-grade gases such as nitrous oxide conforming to the Indian Pharmacopoeia, providing detailed guidance on supplier qualifications for hospital contracts.
• In January 2025, INOXAP launched India’s first ultra-high purity nitrous oxide plant, marking a significant milestone in the country's medical and industrial gases sector. The facility was designed to produce nitrous oxide with extremely high purity levels, catering to critical healthcare and semiconductor applications. This development reflected INOXAP’s commitment to enhancing domestic production capabilities and reducing dependency on imports for specialized medical gases.
• In January 2025, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) wrote to the health ministry, urging necessary action on the labelling of oxygen cylinders to clearly distinguish between industrial and medical oxygen. This followed a request by lawmaker Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, who highlighted the need for such differentiation in the interest of patient safety and effective healthcare delivery.

Key Market Players

• Matheson TriGas
• Messer Group
• Linde India Limited
• INOX Air Products Limited
• Praxair India Private Limited
• Air Liquide India
• K-Air Speciality Gases Pvt. Ltd.
• SICGIL India Limited
• Bhuruka Gases Limited
• Uttam Air Products

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Medical Gases Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• India Medical Gases Market, By Gas Type:

o   Pure Gas

o   Gas Mixtures    

• India Medical Gases Market, By Application:

o   Therapeutic

o   Diagnostic

o   Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry

o   Others  

• India Medical Gases Market, By End User:

o   Hospitals

o   Home Healthcare

o   Academic and Research Institutions

o   Others  

• India Medical Gases Market, By Region:

o   North India

o   East India

o   West India

o   South India

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Medical Gases Market.

Available Customizations:

India Medical Gases Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).