CDSCO Approves Wegovy (Semaglutide) for MASH Treatment in India (2026)

By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 18 July 2026

India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), on 17 July 2026 approved Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide injection 2.4 mg) for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults. The approval specifically covers noncirrhotic MASH in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

MASH is a progressive liver disease driven by metabolic dysfunction and fat build-up in the liver. It sits within the broader spectrum of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which covers fatty-liver conditions linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used in chronic weight management and metabolic care — and it has become the first and only GLP-1 receptor agonist approved, both globally and in India, for noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced fibrosis.

The approval rested on the ESSENCE clinical trial, in which 63% of Wegovy-treated patients saw resolution of steatohepatitis and 37% showed improvement in liver fibrosis. The CDSCO's Subject Expert Committee on Endocrinology and Metabolism had recommended the drug for adults with noncirrhotic MASH at fibrosis stages F2 to F3, at a meeting on 23 April 2026.

On access, Emcure Pharmaceuticals is the exclusive domestic distribution partner for semaglutide under the brand Poviztra; effective 3 April 2026, its starting monthly price was cut to ₹3,999 from ₹8,790 — a 55% reduction. This expanded indication is significant for India, where Novo Nordisk estimates roughly two in three people have fatty liver disease. For aspirants, this is a strong science & technology and health-policy topic for UPSC, RPSC, SSC and State exams.

Important Facts for Exams

  • ◆ CDSCO approved Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) for noncirrhotic MASH in adults on 17 July 2026.
  • ◆ Wegovy is the first and only GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis.
  • ◆ Approval was based on the ESSENCE trial (63% steatohepatitis resolution; 37% fibrosis improvement).
  • ◆ Wegovy was first approved in India on 20 April 2022 for chronic weight management.
  • ◆ Emcure markets semaglutide in India as Poviztra; price cut to ₹3,999 from ₹8,790 (55% off).
  • ◆ MASH is part of the MASLD spectrum, linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

Total 10 questions — 7 medium level and 3 UPSC/RPSC level.

Moderate

Q1. Which regulator approved Wegovy for MASH treatment in India?

(A) FSSAI
(B) CDSCO
(C) ICMR
(D) NPPA
View Answer
Answer: (B) CDSCO
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) CDSCO", which matches the detail asked in the question.
Moderate

Q2. Wegovy contains which active ingredient?

(A) Tirzepatide
(B) Semaglutide
(C) Liraglutide
(D) Metformin
View Answer
Answer: (B) Semaglutide
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) Semaglutide", which matches the detail asked in the question.
Moderate

Q3. Semaglutide belongs to which class of drugs?

(A) SGLT2 inhibitor
(B) GLP-1 receptor agonist
(C) DPP-4 inhibitor
(D) Statin
View Answer
Answer: (B) GLP-1 receptor agonist
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) GLP-1 receptor agonist", which matches the detail asked in the question.
Moderate

Q4. MASH primarily affects which organ?

(A) Kidney
(B) Liver
(C) Heart
(D) Pancreas
View Answer
Answer: (B) Liver
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) Liver", which matches the detail asked in the question.
Moderate

Q5. The MASH approval was based on which clinical trial?

(A) SELECT
(B) ESSENCE
(C) STEP
(D) SUSTAIN
View Answer
Answer: (B) ESSENCE
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) ESSENCE", which matches the detail asked in the question.
Moderate

Q6. Under which brand does Emcure market semaglutide in India?

(A) Rybelsus
(B) Poviztra
(C) Ozempic
(D) Mounjaro
View Answer
Answer: (B) Poviztra
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) Poviztra", which matches the detail asked in the question.
Moderate

Q7. Wegovy was first approved in India (2022) for:

(A) Diabetes only
(B) Chronic weight management
(C) Hypertension
(D) MASH
View Answer
Answer: (B) Chronic weight management
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) Chronic weight management", which matches the detail asked in the question.
UPSC/RPSC Level

Q8. Consider: 1) MASH is part of the MASLD spectrum. 2) In the ESSENCE trial, 63% showed steatohepatitis resolution. 3) Wegovy is approved for cirrhotic MASH. Which are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
View Answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(A) 1 and 2 only", which matches the detail asked in the question.
UPSC/RPSC Level

Q9. Consider: 1) MASLD is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. 2) CDSCO is India's central drug regulator. 3) Poviztra's price was raised in April 2026. Which are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
View Answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(A) 1 and 2 only", which matches the detail asked in the question.
UPSC/RPSC Level

Q10. The CDSCO expert committee recommended Wegovy for MASH at which fibrosis stages?

(A) F0 to F1
(B) F2 to F3
(C) F4 only
(D) F1 to F4
View Answer
Answer: (B) F2 to F3
Explanation: As per the facts covered in this article, the correct choice is "(B) F2 to F3", which matches the detail asked in the question.

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

  • ➜ Prelims: Key facts, figures, dates and terminology from this topic.
  • ➜ Mains GS-II/III: Policy, governance, economy and its wider implications.
  • ➜ Economy & Governance: Institutional context and significance for India.
  • ➜ Static + Current linkage: Connects with related schemes and organisations.

UPSC Mains Descriptive Question

"The expansion of GLP-1 therapies from weight management to liver disease reflects a shift towards treating metabolic disease as a continuum." Discuss with reference to the CDSCO approval of Wegovy for MASH. (250 words, 15 marks)