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Key takeaways   India's bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030. The sector contributes 4.25% to GDP with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9% over the past four years. The government aims to make India a global bio-manufacturing hub driven by innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development. BioE3 promotes regenerative biomanufacturing and supports a circular bioeconomy aligned with India’s net-zero goals. The National Biopharma Mission, co-funded with the World Bank ($250 million), supports over 100 projects and 30 MSMEs. India is among the top producers of vaccines globally and developed the world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine. Ethanol blending increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in 2024, with a target of 20% by 2025.

 

Introduction

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 a Thriving Bioeconomy

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

 

1. BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment)

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

1. Innovation-driven support for R&D and entrepreneurship
2. Establishment of Biomanufacturing & Bio-AI hubs and Biofoundry
3. Focus on regenerative bioeconomy models for green growth
4. Expansion of India’s skilled workforce
5. Alignment with ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE) initiatives

2. National Biopharma Mission

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 organisations and 30 MSMEs. It has helped set up 11 shared facilities for 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:

India has emerged as a global hub for affordable, high-quality medicines, ranking 3rd in pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value. Developed the world’s first DNA vaccine for COVID-19, showcasing innovation in global health. Produces 65% of the world’s vaccines, significantly benefiting low- and middle-income countries. The "Make in India" initiative is reducing dependency on imported Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) through strengthened domestic manufacturing. Pharma industry has transitioned from a generic-focused model to developing biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars. India is working on the first indigenous HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in adolescent girls. Every third tablet consumed globally is manufactured in India, demonstrating global trust in Indian pharma.

3. Bio-agriculture

Agricultural biotechnology in India is advancing rapidly through innovations in genomics, transgenics, and gene editing under the Department of Biotechnology’s Agriculture Biotechnology programme.

• Climate-Smart Crops: A drought-tolerant, high-yielding chickpea variety SAATVIK (NC 9) has been approved for cultivation.
• Genome-Edited Rice: Loss-of-function mutations in yield-limiting genes have led to improved rice lines like DEP1-edited MTU-1010, showing higher yields.
• Genotyping Arrays: India’s first 90K SNP arrays—IndRA for rice and IndCA for chickpea—enable DNA fingerprinting and variety identification.
• Amaranth Resources: A genomic database, NIRS techniques, and a 64K SNP chip aid nutritional screening and development of anti-obesity amaranth varieties.
• Biocontrol: A nano-formulation from Myrothecium verrucaria offers eco-friendly control of powdery mildew in tomato and grape.
• Kisan-Kavach: An anti-pesticide protective suit enhances farmer safety from toxic exposure.

4. Biotech-KISAN (Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network)

 

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:

• Chhattisgarh (Bastar region): Income rose by 40–50% through improved bio-fortified rice; 2173 farmers benefitted.
• West Bengal: 37,552 farmers (including 28,756 women) trained with 14 scientific farming practices; 14 FPOs and 134 FIGs formed.
• Madhya Pradesh: 67,630 farmers benefitted via technology adoption across 8 Aspirational Districts.
• Jharkhand (Deoghar): 69–100% increase in cocoon and compost production; 2100 families covered.
• Meghalaya & Sikkim: 18–20% yield increase in maize, turmeric, tomato; pest reduction by 50%.

 

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 exchange and 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:

• Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG): Up to ₹50 lakh for 18 months to support early-stage startups; nearly 1,000 innovators supported.
• SEED Fund: ₹30 lakh equity support for proof-of-concept stage startups.
• LEAP Fund: ₹100 lakh equity support for commercialisation-ready innovations.
• जनCARE – Amrit Grand Challenge: Supported 89 digital health tech innovations in AI, ML, telemedicine, and blockchain, with a focus on tier-II, tier-III cities and rural areas.

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.

References

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2113745
• https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/07/bioeconomy-sustainable-development/
• https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/30267551-2eec-4103-a26f-6efd7d2e8670/content
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1941006
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2043311
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2063474
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2105824#:~:text=The%20integration%20of%20biotechnology%20into,resilient%20and%20efficient%20agricultural%20ecosystem.
• https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/DBT%20AR%202023-24%20%28English%29.pdf
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2050907

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Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral / Anchal Patiyal / Vatsla Srivastava

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