Aug 28,2025: An agreement to combine biotechnology and artificial intelligence has been signed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the DBT, stated to The Tribune, "The convergence of biotechnology and artificial intelligence is really going to be transformative. MeitY is establishing nationwide infrastructure for AI work. We will provide MeitY with closed-loop projects as part of this collaboration. In cooperation with them, our labs can test any idea generated by AI-driven analysis. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, stated that additional MoUs would soon be signed. "The interdisciplinarity era has arrived. We can't work in isolation. MeitY is partnered with AI, quantum, and communication, all of which will be useful, he stated. Singh also highlighted a memorandum of understanding signed between DBT and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for cooperation in space biotechnology and biomanufacturing, along with a joint working group to identify priority projects.
Singh called the country's first National Biofoundry Network and the "BioE3 Challenge for Youth," which he launched to commemorate a year of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy, a step toward making biotechnology a driving force in India's economy, environment, and employment. In accordance with the initiative, ideas that are turned into proof-of-concept solutions will receive cash rewards. In addition, these projects will have access to facilities and support for incubation at Indian BRIC+ institutions. The DBT has set up six biofoundries across the country as part of the National Biofoundry Network. These are at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi; the BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-manufacturing Institute (NABI) in Mohali; the Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT) in Gurugram; the BRIC-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad; the National Centre for Cell Science Startups will be able to use these facilities, which are working on cell therapy and agricultural research.