Numbers of clinical trials in India are increases day by day. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of trials that have been officially registered in India's Clinical Trials Registry (CTRI). According to records collected by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Drug Controller General's office, between July-December 2007, only 11 trials were registered. The number increased to 137 between Jan-Dec 2008 and then to an all-time high of 546 between Jan-Dec 2009.

In 2010, while January saw 58 trials are registered, February recorded 60. CTRI was launched by ICMR in July 2007 with the hope that trials conducted for testing efficacy of new drugs would become transparent. CTRI's initial months, declaring clinical trials was voluntary. However, since June 15, 2009, it has become mandatory for all parties to register their trials after getting approval and before enrolling the first human subject.

India is now among a few select countries like Australia, UK, China and the US that is making researchers accountable through public disclosure of their trials. CTRI is a free and searchable online register of all trials being conducted in India new drugs, treatments, therapies, surgical procedures and new medical devices.