New Delhi: Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday launched India’s first National Biofoundry Network (NBN), calling it a landmark initiative to position biotechnology as a key enabler of India’s economy, environment, and employment under the BioE3 Policy.
The launch event, titled “One Year of BioE3: From Policy to Action,” also saw the announcement of the BioE3 Challenge for Youth, which invites innovative biotech ideas from students, researchers, startups, and young professionals across India.
The NBN brings together six institutions that will collaborate to support proof-of-concept development, enhance biomanufacturing infrastructure, and drive employment generation in science and technology. These biofoundries will serve as hubs for rapid prototyping and development of biotech applications in areas like healthcare, agriculture, clean energy, and the environment.
“India’s bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, and we now aim for $300 billion by 2030,” said Dr. Singh. “The National Biofoundry Network will play a vital role in accelerating indigenous biomanufacturing and converting lab-scale innovations into scalable solutions.”
Dr. Singh emphasized that the BioE3 Policy is more than just a research initiative and that it is a forward-looking strategy to create sustainable economic opportunities through biotechnology.
“It’s about startups, jobs, and a future-ready ecosystem. We are building a biomanufacturing platform that can transform the lives of ordinary citizens,” he noted.
To empower the next generation, the newly launched BioE3 Challenge for Youth encourages participants from school students (classes 6–12) to early-career researchers to submit ideas for designing safe, sustainable, and impactful biological solutions. Beginning October 2025, top winners each month will receive ₹1 lakh, and selected proposals will be eligible for up to ₹25 lakh in funding from BIRAC, along with mentorship and development support.
Principal Scientific Advisor Dr. Ajay Kumar Sood emphasized the role of talent in driving technological innovation and said, “No technology can thrive without skilled people. The Department of Biotechnology is nurturing a robust ecosystem of trained professionals essential for biotech advancement.”
The BioE3 framework is also being implemented at the state level, with the Assam government signing an MoU to establish a dedicated BioE3 Cell and roll out a customized action plan. Internationally, Indian missions in 52 countries have provided feedback and support for the policy, with the Ministry of External Affairs working alongside the Department of Biotechnology to coordinate follow-up actions.
With these developments, India is positioning itself as a global leader in biotechnology, aiming not just for scientific excellence, but for scalable, sustainable impact.
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