India’s Biotechnology Sector

According to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Year-End Review 2025, India’s biotechnology sector has witnessed remarkable growth, expanding from USD 10 billion in 2014 to USD 165.7 billion in 2024. The sector is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030, reflecting India’s rapid advancement in biotechnology-driven innovation and commercialization.

This expansion has positioned India as the 12th largest biotechnology hub globally, the 3rd largest in the Asia-Pacific region, the 3rd largest biotech startup ecosystem in the world, and the largest vaccine manufacturer globally.

Key Highlights of India’s Biotechnology Growth

India’s biotechnology growth has been driven by significant advancements in healthcare innovations, gene-edited high-yield crops, space biomanufacturing, and technology transfers from laboratories to industry. Strategic initiatives such as the BioE3 Policy, the National Biofoundry Network, regulatory reforms, and the E-YUVA scheme have strengthened innovation ecosystems, enhanced commercialization, and promoted youth-led entrepreneurship in biotechnology.

Key Initiatives in India’s Biotechnology Sector

Infrastructure and Policy Initiatives

India has launched its first National Biofoundry Network to strengthen indigenous biomanufacturing capabilities and accelerate the transition from research to scalable production. The BioE3 Policy is being implemented across six thematic sectors, including bio-based chemicals, precision biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable materials, to support a circular bioeconomy.

The D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge has been introduced to empower youth-led innovation focused on sustainable bioeconomic solutions. Additionally, Centre–State BioE3 Cells have been initiated to ensure coordinated implementation of biotechnology initiatives across states.

Regulatory and Genomic Initiatives

The Guidelines on Genetically Engineered Plants Containing Stacked Events (2025) were notified to ensure biosafety while promoting innovation. Stacked plants involve the combination of two or more transgenes, such as herbicide tolerance (HT) and insect resistance (Bt), into a single crop.

The GenomeIndia Project (2020) has created a national genomic database with 10,000 accessible whole-genome samples, strengthening India’s precision medicine and research capabilities. The One Day One Genome Project (2024) highlights India’s unique microbial diversity through the daily public release of fully annotated microbial genomes isolated in India.

Human Resource Development and Research Support

The Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) Phase III (2025–26 to 2037–38) aims to nurture top scientific talent, promote cutting-edge and translational biomedical research, reduce regional disparities, and build globally competitive research capacity.

Biotechnology: Concept and Applications

About Biotechnology

Biotechnology involves the use of cellular and biomolecular processes to develop products and technologies that improve human life and protect the environment.

Major Applications of Biotechnology

In healthcare (Red Biotechnology), biotechnology enables the development of advanced drugs and vaccines, personalized and gene therapies, and stem cell-based regenerative medicine.
In agriculture (Green Biotechnology), it supports the development of pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and nutritionally enhanced crops, such as vitamin A–enriched Golden Rice, thereby strengthening food security.
In environmental applications (White Biotechnology), microorganisms are used for bioremediation, while biofuels, bioplastics, and biodegradable materials promote a circular economy.

Biotechnology also contributes significantly to economic growth by creating skilled employment and enhancing global competitiveness. In the context of climate action and materials science, it supports CO? capture, cleaner biofuels, and the development of novel bio-based materials for industries such as fashion and aerospace.

Key Achievements of the Department of Biotechnology in 2025

Healthcare and Biomedical Research

The DBT supported the development of indigenous AI-driven models for pregnancy dating and preterm birth prediction, identifying 66 genetic markers. Under the Dare2eraD TB Programme, 18,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were sequenced to map drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The GARBH-INi cohort enrolled 12,000 pregnant women, with over 14 lakh biospecimens and one lakh ultrasound images archived. Additionally, consortia of beneficial Lactobacillus crispatus isolates were commercialized and transferred to an Indian nutraceutical company for use in nutraceutical and cosmetic products.

Agricultural Biotechnology Innovations

A high-yielding gene-edited rice variety with the DEP1 mutation showing a 20 percent yield increase was developed. The ADT 39-Sub1 rice variety, tolerant to submergence, was released in 2025, along with the drought-resistant rice variety ‘Arun’. Two drought-tolerant chickpea varieties, ADVIKA and SAATVIK, contributed to 30 percent of the total breeder seed indent.

Space Biomanufacturing Achievements

In space biomanufacturing experiments, microalgae exhibited a two-fold increase in growth under microgravity. A proof of concept was achieved for growing cyanobacteria on urea in microgravity, enabling the potential use of human waste (CO? and urea) to produce nutritional supplements for astronauts. India’s first human muscle stem-cell experiment in microgravity revealed accelerated muscle aging, offering insights into sarcopenia.

Technology Transfer and Commercialization

An engineered glucoamylase-secreting yeast strain was developed for first-generation ethanol production, reducing external glucoamylase requirements by 50 percent. Several technologies were transferred to industry, including white rust–resistant mustard varieties licensed to eight seed companies. The E-YUVA scheme expanded to 19 pre-incubation centres across 15 states, supporting over 460 fellows.

North-Eastern Region Development

Value-added technologies for wild apple products and theaflavin extraction were developed, benefiting 218 trained beneficiaries, including farmers. A Network Project on Large Cardamom is being implemented in collaboration with the Sikkim State Science and Technology Council and iBRIC+.

Strategic Partnerships

India strengthened international collaborations with the United Kingdom in women-oriented health technologies (FEMTECH) and with Switzerland under the One Health framework, reinforcing global cooperation in biotechnology.

Conclusion

Driven by forward-looking policies such as the BioE3 Policy, sustained public investment, cutting-edge research, and strong public–private partnerships, India’s biotechnology sector has undergone transformative growth. It is now well-positioned as a global leader in sustainable bioeconomy, technological self-reliance, and innovation-led development.