India's first homegrown MRI scanner goes live in Maharashtra

India has taken a significant step towards self-reliance in medical technology with the deployment of its first fully homegrown MRI scanner in Maharashtra. The 1.5 T system has gone live at the Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation, signalling a potential shift in a market long dominated by imported equipment.

The scanner has been developed by VoxelGrids, a Bengaluru-based startup backed by Zoho. It represents the first indigenously designed and manufactured MRI system to be used clinically in the country.

Breaking dependence on imported machines

Over 90% of MRI scanners currently operating in the country are imported, largely from global majors such as Siemens and GE. These systems are expensive, heavy and energy-intensive, making them unaffordable for many district hospitals and smaller healthcare centres.

VoxelGrids claims its indigenous MRI is around 40% cheaper than comparable imported models. A key reason is its helium-free dry magnet design, which eliminates dependence on liquid helium, a costly and scarce resource that also adds to maintenance complexity.

The lighter design and lower power consumption are expected to make installation feasible even in hospitals with limited infrastructure.

Designed for affordability, comfort and scale

According to the company, the scanner has been designed with Indian clinical conditions in mind. Unlike some compact MRI systems that compromise on patient space, the VoxelGrids machine offers a full-sized patient bore, addressing comfort concerns without sacrificing imaging quality.

The startup plans to deploy 20 to 25 units annually and is offering the system on a pay-per-use model. This approach is intended to reduce upfront capital costs for hospitals and diagnostic centres, particularly in smaller cities and underserved regions.

Founder’s vision rooted in domestic innovation

VoxelGrids was founded by Arjun Arunachalam, a former IIT Bombay professor, who has emphasised the need for India to build complex medical imaging systems domestically rather than relying on imports.

The company’s broader ambition is to make advanced diagnostics accessible to a much larger share of India’s population by lowering cost barriers and tailoring technology to local healthcare realities.

Implications for healthcare access

If adopted at scale, indigenous MRI systems could play a crucial role in expanding diagnostic capacity beyond major urban centres. For regions where patients currently travel long distances for advanced imaging, locally available MRI facilities could enable earlier diagnosis and treatment, particularly for cancer and neurological conditions.

The Chandrapur installation is being seen as a test case for whether India’s homegrown medical hardware and progress in medicine can match global standards while dramatically improving affordability and reach.