Biotechnology will power next industrial revolution: MoS
Published: Feb 25, 2026
By TIOLCorplaws News Service
NEW DELHI, FEB 25, 2026: TO mark the 40th Foundation Day of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) yesterday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences; and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched "SUJVIKA" AI driven Biotech Product Data Portal, developed in collaboration with Industry partners ABLE.
SUJVIKA is a Trade Statistics Digital Intelligence Platform that presents authenticated biotechnology product import data in a structured and accessible format. The portal provides sector-wise insights into biochemical products, industrial enzymes, and other biotechnology imports. It enables researchers, startups, and industry to identify high-value and high-volume imports, assess import dependency and prioritise indigenisation and R&D efforts. The portal also supports evidence-based planning and promotes public–private partnerships for strengthening domestic biomanufacturing.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said, the next industrial revolution will be biotechnology-driven and India is steadily moving towards building a USD1 trillion bioeconomy by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat. He said India has ensured that it will not remain a late entrant in emerging technologies and has positioned biotechnology as a key driver of future economic growth.
Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing the 40th Foundation Day celebrations of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) at the Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The programme was attended by Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT; Ekta Vishnoi, Joint Secretary, DBT; senior officials of DBT, BIRAC and BRIC; members of the scientific community; directors of institutions; industry representatives; and young researchers. The event featured pitch presentations by young scientists and DBT Directorates, a presentation on DBT's 40-year journey, and the launch of the revamped DBT website and the "SUJVIKA" Bio Product Web Portal.
Congratulating the DBT fraternity on completing four decades since its establishment in 1986, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Department has grown into a premier organisation nurturing startups, strengthening academia–industry partnerships, building scientific infrastructure and enabling innovation for societal use. He said that while India had fewer than 100 biotech startups in 2014, the number has now crossed 11,000, reflecting a strong expansion of the ecosystem. During this period, India's bioeconomy has grown from nearly USD 10 billion in 2014 to about USD 165.7 billion in 2024. The country is now ranked among the top biotech destinations globally and stands as one of the leading vaccine manufacturers in the world.
Referring to policy reforms, the Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, biotechnology has emerged as a central pillar of India's development strategy. He recalled that the Union Cabinet approved the integrated BioE3 Policy- Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment, aimed at fostering high-performance biomanufacturing across the country. He said DBT, BIRAC and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) are implementing this policy to strengthen indigenous capabilities and expand India's bioindustrial base.
Dr Jitendra Singh spoke about the establishment of the National Biofoundry Network comprising six specialised biofoundries and 21 advanced bio-enabler facilities across the country to accelerate scale-up and commercialisation. He also referred to the network of 95 bio-incubators across 21 States and UTs, four regional mentoring centres and technology transfer offices that are supporting more than 1,800 incubatees. He said the recently announced first national call of Rs.2,000 crore under the Rs.1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative will further strengthen the biotech sector and support enterprises ready for large-scale growth.
Highlighting emerging frontiers, the Minister said India has entered new domains such as space biotechnology and space medicine through an MoU between DBT and ISRO/Department of Space. He referred to biotechnology experiments conducted in space missions, including studies related to life sciences and muscle physiology, and said such initiatives place India at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific exploration.
Dr Jitendra Singh also mentioned the GenomeIndia Project, under which whole genome sequencing data of 10,000 individuals from 99 diverse populations has been made available through the Indian Biological Data Centre. He said this will enable future development of personalised therapies and strengthen India's genomic research capabilities. He further referred to India's first human gene therapy trial for Severe Hemophilia A, supported through DBT and BIRAC, which achieved sustained Factor VIII production and reduced dependence on repeated infusions.
The Minister said biotechnology's integration with digital tools, including artificial intelligence, will significantly enhance research efficiency, reduce timelines, and improve precision in areas such as gene sequencing, diagnostics, and drug discovery. He emphasised the importance of greater synergy among scientific departments to fully harness the potential of biotechnology.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh launched DBT's revamped website aligned with the Government of India's Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) framework designed by MeitY/NIC, marking a step towards a unified and standardised digital presence across Ministries and Departments.
Earlier, Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale described DBT as a driver of transformative change and outlined its evolution from building scientific capacity to fostering entrepreneurship and advancing the bioeconomy. He explained the Department's integrated approach spanning knowledge creation, translation through startups and partnerships, and societal impact. He highlighted recent progress in genome editing and high-performance biomanufacturing, and said that the BioE3 framework integrates biological systems, digital intelligence, and socio-economic design to create sustainable growth models.
Concluding his address, Dr Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that DBT, BIRAC and BRIC will together drive India's bio revolution from laboratory research to large-scale industrial application, contributing to sustainable development and positioning India among the leading bio economies of the world.
The programme was attended, among others, by Ekta Vishnoi, Joint Secretary, DBT; senior officials of DBT, BIRAC and BRIC; members of the scientific community; directors of institutions; industry representatives; and young researchers. The event featured pitch presentations by young scientists and DBT Directorates, a presentation on DBT's 40-year journey.
