The government unveiled an ambitious roadmap to position the country as a global biotechnology leader by 2035. Alongside the launch of the strategic roadmap, ‘Building India as a Leading Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035,’ Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the country’s first undergraduate programme in Engineering Biology. The initiative marks a significant milestone in India’s biotechnology journey and aims to create a future-ready workforce capable of driving innovation in healthcare, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and sustainable manufacturing.
Engineering Biology to Power the Next Biotechnology Revolution
Dr. Jitendra Singh described Engineering Biology as a transformative discipline that will play a role similar to that of computer science during the digital revolution. He emphasised that India must develop an independent and globally competitive biotechnology ecosystem by nurturing professionals with expertise at the intersection of engineering, biology, medicine and emerging technologies. “We have to build our own independent, sovereign biotechnology ecosystem,” the minister said. He further revealed that several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have already submitted proposals to introduce interdisciplinary Engineering Biology programmes in collaboration with leading medical institutions.
India’s Bioeconomy Witnesses Remarkable Growth
Highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion, Dr. Singh noted that India’s bioeconomy has grown from nearly $10 billion in 2014 to approximately $95 billion today. The government expects the sector to reach $300 billion by 2030, supported by strong research capabilities, expanding industrial applications and a vibrant innovation ecosystem. India is also home to more than 11,000 biotechnology start-ups, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing biotechnology innovation hubs.
Dedicated Biotechnology Policy Drives Innovation
According to the minister, India remains among the few nations with a dedicated biotechnology policy focused on Biotechnology for Economy, Employment and Environment. The policy encourages faster translation of scientific research into commercial products, economic growth and societal benefits while strengthening India’s competitiveness in global biotechnology markets. Dr. Singh highlighted India’s achievements in healthcare biotechnology, citing the development of the world’s first DNA vaccine against COVID-19 and the country’s role in supplying vaccines to nearly 30 countries. He also pointed to India’s growing expertise in advanced therapies. These innovations are making cutting-edge healthcare more accessible while reinforcing India’s position as a preferred destination for affordable, high-quality medical treatments.
Synthetic Biology and AI to Shape the Future
Looking ahead, the minister identified several emerging technologies that will define the next phase of biotechnology growth. These include synthetic biology, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled biological research, bio-manufacturing, protein engineering, next-generation therapeutics, sustainable food systems and clean fuels and bio-based chemicals. Collectively, these technologies are expected to transform multiple industries while supporting India’s transition towards a sustainable and innovation-driven economy.
Industry Collaboration Remains Critical
Dr. Singh stressed that stronger collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and research institutions will be essential for accelerating innovation. Such initiatives will help create a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting India’s long-term biotechnology ambitions.
Building India’s Global Biotechnology Leadership
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the coming decade will be decisive for India’s biotechnology sector. He expressed confidence that sustained investments in research, innovation, education and industry partnerships will strengthen healthcare, improve food security, generate millions of high-skilled jobs and establish India as one of the world’s leading bioeconomy powerhouses. As reported by ddindia.co.in, with the launch of its first Engineering Biology undergraduate programme and a long-term biotechnology roadmap, India has taken a major step towards building a resilient, innovation-driven and globally competitive bioeconomy.
