BioE3 Policy: Empowering India’s Youth-Led Bioeconomy
The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy, approved by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24th August 2024, aims to integrate biotechnology, engineering, and digitalization to drive sustainable biomanufacturing. The initiative envisions a green, prosperous, and self-reliant India, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. More details can be found on the Department of Biotechnology portal.
Following the Prime Minister’s call for youth participation on 15th August 2025, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology, launched the D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge. The contest, themed “Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES,” invites school students (classes 6–12) via the MyGov Innovate portal, and all Indian citizens via the BRIC platform. The year-long challenge runs monthly until 1st October 2026.
Selection and Recognition
The November 2025 window received 852 proposals, evaluated through a blinded review process. Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary DBT and DG BRIC, emphasized the initiative’s role in fostering grassroots innovation and future-ready entrepreneurs. He said, “India’s bioeconomy will be built not just by policies and institutions, but by young minds who dare to design the future.”
The ten winning teams were felicitated at the ceremony attended by senior DBT and BIRAC officials, along with faculty and students from ICGEB, BRIC-NII, BRIC-THSTI, RCB, BRIC-NIPGR, and BRIC-NBRC.
Winners of D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge – November 2025
- 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, Hyderabad
- 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, Hyderabad
- 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
