India’s Bioeconomy Surge: A Decade of Growth

Context:

Published on March 27, 2025, by the Press Information Bureau under the Ministry of Science & Technology, this document highlights India’s bioeconomy leaping from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024. It details government initiatives, sectoral achievements, and future goals, aligning with sustainability and India@2047 vision, offering critical insights into biotechnology’s role in economic and environmental progress as of March 27, 2025.

Key Information Points:

• Growth Trajectory: India’s bioeconomy rose from $10 billion (2014) to $165.7 billion (2024), a 16-fold increase, targeting $300 billion by 2030.
• Economic Contribution: Contributes 4.25% to GDP with a 17.9% CAGR over the last four years.
• Global Ambition: Aims to make India a bio-manufacturing hub through innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.
• Definition: Bioeconomy uses renewable biological resources for food, energy, and industrial goods, enhancing sustainability.
• Technological Drivers: Gene editing, bioprinting, and digital integration fuel progress.
• Vision: Focuses on R&D, skilled workforce, and commercialization for a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030, supporting India@2047 goals.
• BioE3 Policy: Approved August 24, 2024, promotes regenerative biomanufacturing, circular economy, and net-zero goals.
• BioE3 Features: Includes biofoundry clusters, bio-AI hubs, job creation in tier-II/III cities, and global biosafety standards.
• National Biopharma Mission (NBM): $250 million initiative (50% World Bank-funded) supports 101 projects, 150+ organizations, and 30 MSMEs.
• NBM Achievements: Established 11 shared facilities (GCLP, GLP, cGMP), created 1,000+ jobs, including 304 scientists.
• Genome India: Sequencing 10,000 genomes to advance global healthcare strategies.
• Pharma Sector:
• • Ranks 3rd globally in volume, 14th in value for pharmaceutical production.
  • Developed world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Supplies 65% of global vaccines, aiding low/middle-income countries.
  • Every third tablet consumed worldwide is Indian-made.
  • Reducing API import dependency via “Make in India.”
  • Developing indigenous HPV vaccine for cervical cancer prevention.
• Bio-agriculture:
• • SAATVIK chickpea: Drought-tolerant, high-yielding variety approved.
  • DEP1-edited MTU-1010 rice: Higher yields via gene editing.
  • IndRA (90K SNP) and IndCA arrays: Enable DNA fingerprinting for rice and chickpea.
  • Amaranth: Genomic database and 64K SNP chip for anti-obesity varieties.
  • Biocontrol: Myrothecium verrucaria nano-formulation controls powdery mildew.
  • Kisan-Kavach: Anti-pesticide suit enhances farmer safety.
• Biotech-KISAN:
• • Empowers farmers, especially women, across 115 Aspirational Districts.
  • 52 hubs in 15 agro-climatic zones with ICAR collaboration.
  • Benefitted 3 lakh+ farmers, developed 200+ rural enterprises.
  • State Impacts:
  • • Chhattisgarh: 40-50% income rise for 2,173 farmers.
    • West Bengal: 37,552 farmers (28,756 women) trained, 14 FPOs formed.
    • Madhya Pradesh: 67,630 farmers benefitted in 8 districts.
    • Jharkhand: 69-100% increase in cocoon/compost production for 2,100 families.
    • Meghalaya/Sikkim: 18-20% yield increase, 50% pest reduction.
• Bioenergy:
• • Ethanol blending rose from 1.53% (2014) to 15% (2024), targeting 20% by 2025.
  • Saved Rs. 99,014 crore in forex, cut 519 lakh metric tons CO₂, reduced oil imports by 173 lakh metric tons.
  • Disbursed Rs. 1,45,930 crore to distillers, Rs. 87,558 crore to farmers.
  • E100 fuel at 400+ outlets, E20 at 15,600+ stations.
  • Uses maize, damaged rice, sugarcane byproducts, and 2nd-gen ethanol from Parali/bamboo.
• BIRAC Role: Since 2012, supports startups via 95 bioincubation centres.
• BIRAC Schemes:
• • BIG: ₹50 lakh for 18 months, aided ~1,000 innovators.
  • SEED Fund: ₹30 lakh equity for proof-of-concept.
  • LEAP Fund: ₹100 lakh equity for commercialization.
  • CARE - Amrit Challenge: Backed 89 digital health innovations (AI, ML, telemedicine).
• Future Outlook: Integrates biomanufacturing, bio-agriculture, and bioenergy for sustainability, resilience, and global leadership by 2047.

Key Terms:

• Bioeconomy: Use of renewable biological resources for sustainable production.
• BioE3 Policy: Framework for biomanufacturing, environmental sustainability, and jobs.
• National Biopharma Mission: Initiative to boost biopharma innovation and collaboration.
• Circular Economy: Model minimizing waste via resource reuse and regeneration.
• Ethanol Blending: Mixing ethanol with fuel to reduce emissions and oil dependency.
• BIRAC: Council fostering biotech startups through funding and infrastructure.
• Gene Editing: Technology altering DNA to improve crop yields or health outcomes.