RT team
India is making remarkable strides as a global leader in biotechnology, with over 9,000 biotech startups driving innovation across the country, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, revealed during a visit to CSIR-IMTECH in Chandigarh. Highlighting exponential growth, he noted that India’s biotech startup ecosystem expanded from just 50 startups in 2014 to nearly 9,000 in 2024.
India now ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region and 12th globally in bio-manufacturing, playing a key role in areas like microbial genetics, infectious diseases, fermentation technology, and bioinformatics. Dr. Singh emphasized the transformative potential of microbial technology in advancing industrial biotechnology.
He credited Prime Minister Modi’s New BioE3 Policy for accelerating the sector, highlighting that India’s bioeconomy grew from $10 billion in 2014 to $130 billion in 2024, with projections to hit $300 billion by 2030. This growth underscores India’s leadership in bio-manufacturing and scientific research.
During his visit, Dr. Singh virtually interacted with CSIR-IHBT in Himachal Pradesh, inaugurating new facilities and launching agri-startup products. He stressed the importance of leveraging India’s biodiversity to benefit farmers and drive scientific innovation.
At the EMBO Workshop on High Elevation Plant Adaptation and the Industry, Farmer & Academia Meet, Dr. Singh called for collaboration between research, industry, and policy to unlock the economic potential of Himalayan biodiversity. He concluded by reaffirming India’s position as a global force in biotechnology.
