The Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy on 24^th August 2024. BioE3 policy formulated by Department of Biotechnology creates a convergence between biotech, engineering and digitalization for building a more equitable and sustainable future through Bio-manufacturing. BioE3 policy envisages green, clean, prosperous and Atmanirbhar Bharat making giant strides towards Viksit Bharat @2047.

Echoing the Prime Minister's call for youth participation on 15^th of August 2025, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology, launched the "D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge"—themed "Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES” in two categories. The category 1 is open to school students from class 6 to class 12 is being hosted on the Innovate portal of MyGov. On the other hand, and category 2 of the challenge is open all Indian citizens and being hosted on the BRIC website. This call aims to empower grassroots innovators, foster youth-lead change, and strengthen India’s journey towards sustainable and self-reliant bioeconomy. D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 challenge is a year-long challenge which opens on the 1^st of every month until 1^st October 2026. DBT, BIRAC and BRIC are jointly implementing D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 challenge.

852 proposals were received in the November 2025 window of the challenge. An expert committee reviewed all the proposals in a blinded manner i.e the identity and affiliation of applicants were masked from the reviewers. The top 10 winning teams for the November 2025 window of the challenge are enclosed as an annexure.

Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT; DG, BRIC & Chairman BIRAC felicitated the winners of the November 2025 window of the challenge, with prizes in an event organised at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, on 30^th December 2025. BIRAC through Grand Challenges India provided a prize of Rs.1 Lakh each to the 10 winning teams. The 10 winning solutions have an option to submit a full proposal to BIRAC within 3 months’ time for a Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) grant of upto Rs. 25 Lakhs for to convert ‘Design Idea’ to ‘Proof of Concept’

Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT, speaking on the occasion stated that this is a unique initiative by the Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with BIRAC and BRIC to encourage grassroot level innovation to create a team of future ready entrepreneurs in our country. The BioE3 policy has given an impetus to the high performance Biomanufacturing in our country to contribute to the Bioeconomy of India.  D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 challenge is a part of the implementation of BioE3 policy. We urge young innovators, faculty, start-ups and all interested Indian Citizens to study the BioE3 policy and apply in this unique challenge. The DBT family is committed empowering youth-led, responsible biotech innovations for Viksit Bharat @2047. We also Encourage all participants—winners and non-winners alike—to stay engaged, refine ideas, and continue contributing.

“India’s bioeconomy will be built not just by policies and institutions, but by young minds who dare to design the future.”, said Dr. Gokhale.

Senior officials of DBT and BIRAC, faculty and students of ICGEB, BRIC-NII, BRIC-THSTI, RCB, BRIC-NIPGR and BRIC-NBRC attended this event.  

Annexure – Winning Teams

1.    Ms. Komal Birader, Hyderabad, BRIC-NIAB, Hyderabad

2.     Sh. Mukunda BV, Aignoz Healthcare Solutions Pvt Ltd

3.    Dr. Pankaj Suman, Ms. Ankita Das, Ms. Deepali Rawat, Ms. Muskan, BRIC-NIAB, Hyderabad

4.    Ms. Simran Motwani, Ms. Somya Bhandari, BRIC-NII, New Delhi

5.   Ms. Trivima Sharma, Faculty of Agriculture, Allied Sciences and Technology, KKIASR, Ganpat University

6.    Mr. Akash Suresh, Mr. Paresh Sharma, BRIC-NIAB, Hyderabad

7.    Ms. Monika Kumari, BRIC-NII, New Delhi

8.    Ms. Annie Premaja Adisharla, Individual-Independent Innovator

9.    Mr. Manya Sahu, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad

10.  Mr. Analabha Basu, BRIC-NIBMG, West Bengal

 

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NKR/MJ

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