India’s Bioeconomy Expands Rapidly – Key Policy Pushes Highlighted
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, announced that the nation’s Bioeconomy has risen from about USD 10 billion in 2014 to **USD 195 billion in 2025**, registering a **17‑18% annual growth** in the last year. The sector now contributes **≈4.8% to India’s GDP** and positions the country as a global biotechnology hub.
Key Developments
- India aims for a USD 300 billion bioeconomy by 2030, driven by a strong base of scientists, entrepreneurs and more than 11,800 biotech startups.
- Launch of the BioE3 Policy, targeting precision biotherapeutics, smart proteins, climate‑resilient agriculture, bio‑based chemicals and carbon‑capture technologies.
- Establishment of shared infrastructure such as bio‑foundries, Bio‑AI hubs and advanced biomanufacturing platforms under BIRAC’s guidance.
- Announcement of a ₹1 lakh‑crore RDI Fund, with BIRAC as the nodal agency for funding scale‑up and technology translation.
Important Facts
- Annual growth rate of **17‑18%** in 2025, up from **USD 165 billion** in 2024.
- Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of **≈18%** since 2020.
- India’s bioeconomy now accounts for **nearly 5% of national GDP**.
- Release of the India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026 and the BIRAC Impact Report, documenting commercialization, job creation and societal impact.
- Focus on nurturing talent from tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities, and promoting women entrepreneurs.
Exam Relevance
The rapid expansion of the bioeconomy touches multiple UPSC syllabus areas: GS III – Economy (sectoral contribution to GDP, investment flows), GS I – Science & Technology (biotech innovation