Context:

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, released the India Bioeconomy Report, 2026 (IBER 2026) during the 14th Foundation Day event of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

According to the Report:

• Rapid Growth in Bioeconomy: India’s bioeconomy reached USD 195.3 billion in 2025, up from just USD 10 billion in 2014.
• Contribution to GDP: The sector now contributes around 4.8% to India’s national GDP, with a growth rate of about 18%.
• Startup Ecosystem: The number of biotechnology startups in the country has crossed 11,800.
• Sectoral Leader: The bio-industrial sector contributed the highest, valued at USD 90.2 billion.
• Strength of Biopharma: This segment reached USD 64.5 billion, with significant growth expected in biosimilars and peptide manufacturing as global patents expire.
• Bio-services and Agriculture: Bio-services contributed USD 26 billion, while bio-agriculture contributed USD 14.6 billion.
• Expansion of GCCs: India now hosts over 150 healthcare and life sciences Global Capability Centers (GCCs), employing more than 300,000 professionals.
• Target for 2030: India aims to achieve a USD 300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.

Bioeconomy:

• A bioeconomy is an economic model that relies on the knowledge-based use of biological resources (such as plants, animals, microorganisms, and waste) to produce sustainable products, services, and energy.
• Its main objective is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote environmentally sustainable development.

Key Sectors of Bioeconomy:

• Bio-pharma: Life-saving drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools
• Bio-agriculture: High-yield crops, bio-fertilizers, and bio-pesticides
• Bio-industry: Enzymes, bioplastics, and other bio-based industrial materials
• Bio-energy: Green fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel

Importance and Benefits:

• Sustainable Development: Helps reduce carbon emissions and achieve ‘Net Zero’ targets
• Food Security: Enhances agricultural productivity to meet the needs of a growing population
• Employment Generation: Creates job opportunities, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities

Major Government Initiatives:

• BioE3 Policy: Focuses on biotechnology for manufacturing, economy, and employment
• BIRAC: Provides funding and infrastructure support to biotech startups
• National Biofoundry Network: India’s first network launched to accelerate innovation

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC):

• BIRAC is a not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
• It was established on 20 March 2012.

Key Roles:

• Interface: Acts as a bridge between academia and industry
• Startup Support: Provides not only funding but also incubation (labs and equipment) and mentorship
• Intellectual Property (IP): Assists startups in patenting and IP management of their innovations