New Delhi: India’s biotechnology sector has witnessed a “quantum leap” over the past decade, expanding from a $10 billion industry to over $195 billion, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology said.
Speaking at the 14th Foundation Day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Dr.Singh attributed the growth to an enabling policy environment, strong public-private collaboration, and sustained government support since 2014.
He said BIRAC has emerged as a model institution, creating a structured interface between the public and private sectors and moving beyond “random collaborations” to a more organised, outcome-driven approach.
“Over the last 10–11 years, we have moved from a $10 billion bioeconomy to over $195 billion. This growth has come despite multiple challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as financial and technical constraints,” he said.
Highlighting the inherent risks in scientific innovation, Singh noted that failure is an integral part of the process. “Science has a high element of risk and failure. The real success lies in progressing despite the likelihood of failure,” he said, adding that India’s ability to persist and innovate under constraints has been a defining strength.
Drawing from his background in medicine, the minister underscored resilience as a key driver of growth. “The question is not whether one survives, but whether one survives despite adversities. Similarly, India’s biotech journey is a story of growth in spite of challenges,” he said.
Singh also emphasised India’s growing global standing, noting that the country is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, supported by its strong human capital and innovation ecosystem.
He said BIRAC has played a critical role in identifying the right collaborators, enabling targeted funding, facilitating mentorship, and strengthening industry-academia partnerships through incubation support.
“The synergy between industry and academia, backed by the right funding and mentorship mechanisms, has been key to driving innovation in the biotech sector,” he added.
Singh further highlighted that the government has accorded high priority to science and technology since 2014, helping build a robust and resilient innovation ecosystem in the country.
