India Unveils Affordable Advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis

The first Make-in-India, cost-effective advanced Carbon Fibre Foot Prosthesis—indigenously conceptualized and engineered through a collaboration between DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and AIIMS Bibinagar—was officially unveiled at AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana, on July 14, 2025. This innovation, formally named the AIIMS Bibinagar – DRDL, DRDO Indigenously Developed Optimised Carbon Foot Prosthesis (ADIDOC), represents a significant milestone for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, underscoring India’s commitment to self-reliance in healthcare technology. The launch event was attended by Distinguished Scientist & Director of DRDL, Dr. GA Srinivasa Murthy, and Executive Director of AIIMS Bibinagar, Dr. Ahanthem Santa Singh, highlighting robust institutional and interdisciplinary cooperation.

The ADIDOC prosthesis is rigorously biomechanically tested to withstand loads of up to 125 kilograms, incorporating a sound safety margin and ensuring dependable performance for a diverse demographic of users. It is available in three distinct variants, tailored to accommodate patients of different weight classes, thereby broadening its accessibility and applicability. The design philosophy behind ADIDOC focuses on creating an affordable, high-quality solution that bridges the gap between need and access for Indians requiring lower-limb amputee support. Notably, the prosthesis delivers functional and ergonomic performance comparable to advanced international models, but at a fraction of the cost.

Production estimates indicate that the ADIDOC foot could be manufactured for under Rs 20,000—a dramatic reduction when compared to comparable imported devices, which are currently priced around Rs two lakh. This cost-efficiency is expected to make high-grade prosthetic care accessible to a substantially greater proportion of India’s amputee population, particularly those from lower income backgrounds. By enabling greater self-sufficiency in the prosthetics sector and lowering the barriers for adoption, the ADIDOC initiative is poised to drive far-reaching improvements in mobility, independence, and social inclusion for people with disabilities, while simultaneously reducing India’s reliance on imported prosthetic technologies.