Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday launched India&rsquo;s first National Biofoundry Network, marking a milestone in the country&rsquo;s biotechnology journey. The launch coincided with one year of the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment &amp; Employment).
Singh said India&rsquo;s bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, and is on track to reach $300 billion by 2030. He called the initiative a step toward making biotechnology a key driver of economic growth, sustainability, and job creation.
At the core of the programme is the BioE3 Challenge for Youth, themed &ldquo;Design Microbes, Molecules &amp; More&rdquo;. The nationwide competition invites school students, researchers, startups, and innovators to develop safe, sustainable biotech solutions across health, agriculture, environment, and industry.
Every month from October 2025, the top 10 winning projects will receive ₹1 lakh in prize money, recognition, and mentoring. Up to 100 awardees will be eligible for ₹25 lakh in funding via BIRAC to convert ideas into proof-of-concept, along with incubation support at BRIC+ institutions.
The initiative is anchored in the DESIGN framework&mdash;Define needs, Evidence-first, Sustainability, Integration, Go-to-market, and Net-positive impact. Officials said it will empower youth, foster grassroots innovation, and strengthen India&rsquo;s path to a self-reliant bioeconomy.
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Govt unveils BioE3 Challenge for Youth to boost bioeconomy, jobs & innovation by 2030

India Launches First Biofoundry Network

Govt unveils BioE3 Challenge for Youth to boost bioeconomy, jobs & innovation by 2030

August 27, 2025 | 23:56 IST