Administrator
28 March 2025
India’s bioeconomy has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, growing sixteen-fold from $10 billion in 2014 to an impressive $165.7 billion in 2024. This exceptional expansion reflects the nation’s focused efforts to position biotechnology as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth and innovation. Contributing 4.25% to the national GDP, the sector has demonstrated a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years, reinforcing India’s emergence as a rising global force in biotechnology. With an ambitious target of $300 billion by 2030, the bioeconomy is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s future as a knowledge-driven, bio-enabled economy.
The bioeconomy is the use of renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods, which supports sustainability and economic growth. Innovations like gene editing and bioprinting are driving progress, while integration across sectors strengthens long-term impact. By aligning biotechnology with digital tools and circular economy principles, the bioeconomy offers sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and promotes overall societal well-being.
India’s vision for the bioeconomy is rooted in innovation-led growth, sustainable development, and inclusive economic progress. The country aims to become a global hub for bio-manufacturing, backed by strong R&D infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and a skilled scientific workforce. The focus is on creating a resilient industrial ecosystem that promotes the development and commercialization of new biotech products, while unlocking opportunities in both urban and rural regions. With an ambitious target of achieving a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030, India also seeks to lead globally in bio-pharma, including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. This strategy directly contributes to the broader goals of India@2047, emphasizing sustainability, economic self-reliance, and green growth.
Government Initiatives and Key Programmes
BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy marks a significant leap in India’s biotechnology sector. Approved by the Union Cabinet on 24th August 2024, the policy aims to transform India into a global biotech powerhouse by fostering high-performance biomanufacturing and addressing key pillars of the economy, environment, and employment.
It aligns with the vision of a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future by promoting regenerative biomanufacturing and a shift from chemical-based industries to sustainable bio-based models. This supports a circular bioeconomy and aligns with the goal of net-zero carbon emissions. This approach supports environmental sustainability and contributes significantly to the 'Make in India' initiative by fostering the development of biobased products with minimal carbon footprints.
Strategic Sectors and Key Initiatives
The BioE3 Policy introduces key initiatives such as advanced biomanufacturing facilities, bio-foundry clusters, and bio-AI hubs to support bio-based product development and commercialization. These centers will bridge lab-to-market gaps and foster collaboration across startups, SMEs, and industry. With a strong focus on employment, the policy aims to generate jobs in tier-II and tier-III cities by leveraging local biomass. It also emphasizes ethical biosafety and alignment with global regulatory standards to boost India’s global biotech competitiveness.
Key Features
The National Biopharma Mission (NBM)-Innovate in India (i3), is a government-approved initiative led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and implemented by BIRAC. It aims to boost India’s capabilities in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosimilars, medical devices, and diagnostics by fostering collaboration between industry and academia. With a budget of $250 million, co-funded 50% by the World Bank, the mission supports 101 projects, involving over 150 organisationsand 30 MSMEs. It has helped set up 11 shared facilitiesfor testing, validation, and manufacturing—benefiting start-ups and MSMEs. These include GCLP labs for vaccine testing, GLP labs for biosimilar analysis, and cGMP facilities for manufacturing. The mission has also generated over 1,000 jobs, including 304 scientists and researchers. Additionally, the Genome India Programme, which involves sequencing 10,000 genomes, is expected to shape future global healthcare strategies, both in treatment and prevention.
Key Achievements in India's Pharma Sector:
|
Agricultural biotechnology in India is advancing rapidly through innovations in genomics, transgenics, and gene editing under the Department of Biotechnology’s Agriculture Biotechnology programme.
Biotech-KISAN is a scientist-farmer partnership programme launched to empower farmers, especially women and those in rural and tribal areas, through agricultural innovation and scientific interventions. It follows a hub-and-spoke model and is active across 115 Aspirational Districts in India.
State-wise Impact:
Bioenergy
India's bioenergy sector is playing a transformative role in strengthening the country’s bioeconomy. Ethanol blending has seen a significant rise—from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target of 20% blending by 2025. This shift has not only reduced crude oil imports by 173 lakh metric tons but also saved Rs. 99,014 crores in foreign exchangeand cut 519 lakh metric tons of CO₂ emissions.
The economic ripple effect is substantial, with Rs. 1,45,930 crores disbursed to distillers and Rs. 87,558 crores to farmers, reinforcing rural incomes and agro-industry linkages. Fuel diversification is gaining momentum through the launch of E100 fuel at over 400 outlets and the availability of E20 fuel at over 15,600 retail stations.
|
Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from recently living organic materials known as biomass, which can be used to produce transportation fuels, heat, electricity, and products. |
Supportive policies have encouraged the use of varied feedstocks, including maize, damaged rice, and sugarcane byproducts, backed by structured incentives. Second-generation ethanol refineries are converting agricultural residues like Parali and bamboo into fuel, strengthening the circular economy and reducing pollution. These developments highlight how bioenergy contributes to energy security, sustainability, and rural development—key pillars of India's expanding bioeconomy.
Boosting Biotech Innovation Through BIRAC Initiatives
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), established by the Department of Biotechnology in 2012, plays a pivotal role in nurturing India’s biotech startup ecosystem. With 95 bio-incubation centres set up nationwide, BIRAC supports startups through funding, infrastructure, and mentorship.
Key schemes include:
Towards a Bio-Enabled Future
India’s bioeconomy stands at a defining moment, with its integrated approach to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development setting a global benchmark. Through robust policy frameworks, cutting-edge research, and a strong emphasis on collaboration across sectors, the nation is well on track to redefine its industrial and environmental landscape. The convergence of bio-manufacturing, bio-agriculture, and bioenergy not only strengthens national resilience but also signals India's strategic intent to lead in the emerging global bioeconomy. As India moves forward, this cohesive and future-oriented vision lays the foundation for a more sustainable, self-reliant, and bio-enabled economy, firmly aligned with the aspirations of India@2047.
By Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral / Anchal Patiyal / Vatsla Srivastava
