India's bio-economy grew 18% to touch $195.3 bn in 2025, says minister

Science and Technology minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has applauded the continued growth momentum of India’s bio-economy stating that the country had a remarkable biotechnology journey, from an emerging field to a powerhouse driving national growth.

Speaking on the 14th foundation day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Dr Singh said India’s bio-economy has surged from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, growing to $195.3 billion in 2025, an 18% year-on-year increase. “Institutions like BIRAC have been pivotal in translating vision into outcomes through innovation, partnerships, and robust ecosystems. Biotechnology is central to Viksit Bharat @2047, and the BioE3 (or Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy charts a transformative roadmap, positioning India as a global hub while advancing healthcare, food security, climate resilience, and bio-security”, he said.

Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT and Chairman, BIRAC, pointed out that in just 14 years, BIRAC has helped transform Indian biotechnology from a small, fragmented sector into a vibrant innovation‑driven ecosystem. “By catalysing Rs 7,000 crore in total investment across lakhs of startups, entrepreneurs, and companies, BIRAC has supported development of 900+ products,  over 35,000 high-skilled jobs and shown that India can generate globally competitive science, products, and platforms from within. Our network of over 100 bio-incubation centres and more than 10 lakh square feet of incubation space is enabling innovators across India to access world-class infrastructure, mentoring, and markets.” He said. “BIRAC has now been entrusted as a second‑level fund manager under the national RDI framework, with a mandate to deploy Rs 2,000 crore over the next five years, with scope for further expansion. This will allow us to back deep‑tech companies at later stages and create a full pipeline from TRL‑4 to TRL‑9, spanning proof‑of‑concept, pilot manufacturing, and scale‑up.”

Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC  pointed out that the agency’s mission has always been to de‑risk innovation for entrepreneurs, whether first‑time founders, faculty‑led startups, or MSMEs pursuing deep‑tech solutions. “What sets our model apart is the seamless integration of funding with incubation, regulatory guidance, IP support, and market linkages, enabling early‑stage ideas to evolve into validated, investible, and scalable ventures. Our ambition is bold: to grow India’s bioeconomy to $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047. With strong foundations in vaccines, biopharma, agri‑biotech, bio‑industrial manufacturing, and clean energy, India is steadily emerging as a top global biotech innovation hub”, he said.

India’s biotech industry ranks among the top 12 globally, with a 17.8% CAGR (2020-2025), and biopharma as a key pillar. The bio‑industrial segment now contributes nearly half of the bioeconomy, highlighting bio‑based manufacturing, bio‑energy, and green materials. India today has a total of 11,855 biotech startups, reflecting the country’s vibrant innovation landscape and its growing role as a global biotech hub.