India’s Bio-Economy Soars to $165.7 Billion, Unveils New Initiatives
India’s bio-economy has experienced a remarkable 16-fold increase over the past decade, soaring from $10 billion in 2014 to an impressive $165.7 billion in 2024. This significant growth was highlighted by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh during the BIRAC Foundation Day ceremony at the National Media Centre on March 21, 2025.
Unveiling the India Bioeconomy Report 2025
At the event, Dr. Singh released the “India Bioeconomy Report 2025” (IBER 2025), which underscores the sector’s substantial contribution, accounting for 4.25% of the nation’s GDP. The report reveals a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years, positioning India as a burgeoning global biotech leader.
Launch of BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative
In a bid to nurture emerging biotech entrepreneurs, Dr. Singh introduced BioSaarthi, a global mentorship program designed to support biotech startups. This six-month cohort initiative aims to facilitate structured mentor-mentee engagements, offering personalized guidance to foster innovation and industry-academia collaboration. The program plans to engage international experts, particularly from the Indian diaspora, to volunteer as mentors, thereby strengthening India’s biotech ecosystem.
Introduction of the BIO-E3 Policy
The Minister also highlighted the recently approved BIO-E3 Policy—Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment—which seeks to accelerate research, innovation, and entrepreneurship within the sector. Under this policy, initiatives such as Bio-AI Hubs, biofoundries, and bio-enabler hubs will be established to integrate advanced technologies with biomanufacturing. Notably, Assam has become the first state to adopt the BioE3 framework, marking a significant step toward nationwide implementation.
Surge in Biotech Startups
India’s biotech startup ecosystem has witnessed exponential growth, expanding from just 50 startups a decade ago to over 10,075 today. This tenfold increase is attributed to effective public-private partnerships and a policy-driven approach that has cultivated an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Groundbreaking Achievements in Biotechnology
The sector has achieved several milestones, including the development of India’s first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, effective in treating respiratory diseases, and a successful gene therapy trial for hemophilia. Additionally, India’s whole genome sequencing project, encompassing 10,074 individuals across 99 communities, is poised to revolutionize precision medicine and healthcare in the country.
Collaboration with ISRO for Space Biology Research
A landmark collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been established, paving the way for research in space biology and space medicine. As India prepares for its first space station, biotechnology will play a crucial role in ensuring astronaut health and developing futuristic medical solutions.
Increase in Research and Development Expenditure
India’s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from ₹60,196 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1,27,381 crore in 2024. This surge in funding underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering scientific research and innovation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India is witnessing the dawn of a bio-revolution that could be as transformative as the IT revolution was for the West. With sustained efforts, India is not just participating in the global biotechnology revolution but is poised to lead it.
