India Launches BioE3 Policy to Foster Youth Innovation
On August 24, 2024, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officially approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy. This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology, aims to integrate biotechnology, engineering, and digitalization to promote a sustainable and equitable future through bio-manufacturing. The BioE3 policy aligns with the vision of a ‘green, clean, prosperous, and Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ propelling the nation towards achieving its developmental goals by 2047.
In alignment with the Prime Minister’s call for increased youth engagement on August 15, 2025, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, launched the ‘D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge.’ This initiative, themed ‘Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES,’ comprises two distinct categories: the first is aimed at school students from classes 6 to 12 and is hosted on the Innovate portal by MyGov. The second category invites participation from all Indian citizens, hosted on the BRIC website. This challenge seeks to empower grassroots innovators and foster youth-led initiatives that will support India’s transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy.
The D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge is structured as a year-long competition, commencing on the first of every month and running until October 1, 2026. The initiative is jointly managed by the Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC, and BRIC. Notably, the challenge received an impressive 852 proposals during its November 2025 window, all of which were evaluated by an expert committee using a blinded review process to ensure fairness.
On December 30, 2025, a ceremony was held at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi to honor the top ten teams selected from the November submissions. Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT and Chairman of BIRAC, presented each winning team with a cash prize of Rs. 1 Lakh as part of the Grand Challenges India initiative. These winning teams will have the opportunity to submit full proposals to BIRAC for a Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) grant of up to Rs. 25 Lakhs, intended to turn their design ideas into proof of concept.
During the awards ceremony, Dr. Gokhale emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it represents a significant effort by the Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC, and BRIC to cultivate grassroots innovation and create a generation of future-ready entrepreneurs. He encouraged young innovators, educators, and citizens to delve into the BioE3 policy and actively partake in the challenge, reinforcing the commitment to fostering responsible biotechnology innovations for a developed India by 2047.
“India’s bioeconomy will be built not just by policies and institutions, but by young minds who dare to design the future,” Dr. Gokhale remarked, inspiring attendees to engage continuously with their ideas and innovate further.
Esteemed senior officials from DBT and BIRAC, alongside faculty and students from various research institutes, were present at the event, underscoring the collaborative spirit of this initiative.
Winning Teams:
- Ms. Komal Birader, Hyderabad, BRIC-NIAB
- Sh. Mukunda BV, Aignoz Healthcare Solutions Pvt Ltd
- Dr. Pankaj Suman, Ms. Ankita Das, Ms. Deepali Rawat, Ms. Muskan, BRIC-NIAB
- Ms. Simran Motwani, Ms. Somya Bhandari, BRIC-NII, New Delhi
- Ms. Trivima Sharma, Faculty of Agriculture, Allied Sciences and Technology, KKIASR, Ganpat University
- Mr. Akash Suresh, Mr. Paresh Sharma, BRIC-NIAB
- Ms. Monika Kumari, BRIC-NII, New Delhi
- Ms. Annie Premaja Adisharla, Individual Innovator
- Mr. Manya Sahu, BRIC-THSTI, Faridabad
- Mr. Analabha Basu, BRIC-NIBMG, West Bengal
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