{"id":57002,"date":"2025-10-16T18:56:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T13:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=57002"},"modified":"2025-10-18T14:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T09:27:20","slug":"india-biotech-surge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/16-10-2025\/india-biotech-surge","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Biotech Surge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s biotech sector has surged in the past several years, from a modest count of <strong>roughly 500 startups in 2018, the number has soared to over 10,000 in 2025.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Bioeconomy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bioeconomy is the use of<strong> renewable biological resources<\/strong> to produce food, energy and industrial goods, which supports sustainability and economic growth.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Innovations like<strong> gene editing and bioprinting<\/strong> are driving progress, while integration across sectors strengthens long-term impact.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By aligning biotechnology with digital tools and circular economy principles, the bioeconomy offers <strong>sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and promotes overall societal well-being.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e4e7de\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e4e7de;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"409\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Indias-Biotech-Surge.webp\" alt=\"bioeconomy?\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-57034\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Indias-Biotech-Surge.webp 409w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Indias-Biotech-Surge-274x300.webp 274w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Bioeconomy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is among the <strong>Top 12 destinations<\/strong> for biotechnology worldwide and <strong>3rd largest destination<\/strong> for biotechnology in Asia Pacific.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s bioeconomy has grown sixteen-fold from<strong> $10 billion in 2014 to an impressive $165.7 billion in 2024.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contributing 4.25%<\/strong> to the national GDP, the sector has demonstrated a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of <strong>17.9%<\/strong> over the past four years.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s Biotechnology sector is <strong>categorised into Biopharmaceuticals, Bio agriculture, Bio IT and Bio Services.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Future Goals: <\/strong>Target of achieving a<strong> $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India also seeks to lead globally in bio-pharma, including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fragmentation of Infrastructure: <\/strong>India hosts over 70 incubators, but few have end-to-end facilities such as pilot-scale purification systems, fill-and-finish suites, regulatory affairs support.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This forces entrepreneurs to operate across cities, duplicating costs and processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory Complexities: <\/strong>Outdated frameworks for clinical trials, patent laws and product approval.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lag behind modern demands <\/strong>(AI, biologics, genomics), delaying market entry and deterring investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives and Key Programmes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-08-2024\/bioe3-policy\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-08-2024\/bioe3-policy\">BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment)<\/a>:<\/strong> It was approved by the <strong>Union Cabinet\u00a0 in 2024, <\/strong>has an ambitious vision to create a<strong> $300-billion bioeconomy by 2030.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"cdc3cc\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cdc3cc;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"422\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Government-Initiatives-and-Key-Programmes-pic.webp\" alt=\"government Initiatives and key programmes\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-57036\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Government-Initiatives-and-Key-Programmes-pic.webp 422w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Government-Initiatives-and-Key-Programmes-pic-300x279.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Biopharma Mission: <\/strong>It is a government-approved initiative led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and implemented by BIRAC.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To boost India\u2019s capabilities in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosimilars, medical devices, and diagnostics by fostering collaboration between industry and academia.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bio-agriculture: <\/strong>Agricultural biotechnology in India is advancing rapidly through innovations in genomics, transgenics, and gene editing under the Department of Biotechnology\u2019s Agriculture Biotechnology programme.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Climate-Smart Crops:<\/strong> A drought-tolerant, high-yielding chickpea variety SAATVIK (NC 9) has been approved for cultivation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genome-Edited Rice: <\/strong>Loss-of-function mutations in yield-limiting genes have led to improved rice lines like DEP1-edited MTU-1010, showing higher yields.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genotyping Arrays:<\/strong> India\u2019s first 90K SNP arrays\u2014IndRA for rice and IndCA for chickpea\u2014enable DNA fingerprinting and variety identification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Amaranth Resources: <\/strong>A genomic database, NIRS techniques, and a 64K SNP chip aid nutritional screening and development of anti-obesity amaranth varieties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biocontrol:<\/strong> A nano-formulation from Myrothecium verrucaria offers eco-friendly control of powdery mildew in tomato and grape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kisan-Kavach: <\/strong>An anti-pesticide protective suit enhances farmer safety from toxic exposure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biotech-KISAN (Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network): <\/strong>Biotech-KISAN is a scientist-farmer partnership programme launched to empower farmers through agricultural innovation and scientific interventions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bioenergy:<\/strong> Ethanol blending has seen a significant rise\u2014from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target of 20% blending by 2025.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boosting Biotech Innovation Through BIRAC Initiatives: <\/strong>The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), established by the Department of Biotechnology in 2012, plays a pivotal role in nurturing India\u2019s biotech startup ecosystem.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With 95 bio-incubation centres set up nationwide, BIRAC supports startups through funding, infrastructure, and mentorship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d6e1bc\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d6e1bc;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"502\" height=\"339\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-58.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-57003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-58.png 502w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-58-300x203.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s bioeconomy stands at a defining moment, with its integrated approach to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development setting a global benchmark.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The convergence of bio-manufacturing, bio-agriculture, and bioenergy not only strengthens national resilience but also signals India&#8217;s strategic intent to lead in the emerging global bioeconomy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/india-biotech-surge-builds-momentum-but-faces-scale-bottlenecks\/article70166276.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">India\u2019s biotech sector has surged in the past several years, from a modest count of roughly 500 startups in 2018, the number has soared to over 10,000 in 2025.\u00a0<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is Bioeconomy?<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The bioeconomy is the use of renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods, which supports sustainability and economic growth.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Innovations like gene editing and bioprinting are driving progress, while integration across sectors strengthens long-term impact.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">By aligning biotechnology with digital tools and circular economy principles, the bioeconomy offers sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and promotes overall societal well-being.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/16-10-2025\/india-biotech-surge\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57002"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57163,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57002\/revisions\/57163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}