- Why in news
- On 25 March 2026, the Science Minister told the Lok Sabha about the Bio-RIDE scheme of the Department of Biotechnology, its results and the startup support schemes under BIRAC.
- What it is
- Bio-RIDE (Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development) is a Department of Biotechnology scheme. It merges the research and development and the industry and entrepreneurship schemes, and adds a biomanufacturing and biofoundry component. It aims to link academic research with industry and support India's bioeconomy goals.
- Approval
- The Union Cabinet approved Bio-RIDE on 18 September 2024 by combining existing DBT schemes with a new component.
- Implementing bodies
- DBT and its public sector undertaking BIRAC implement support for biotech research and startups.
- Bioeconomy target
- DBT's vision is a US$300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.
- BIG
- The Biotechnology Ignition Grant gives up to ₹50 lakh for 18 months to establish proof of concept.
- SEED Fund
- The SEED Fund gives first equity-based support of up to ₹30 lakh per startup.
- LEAP Fund
- The LEAP Fund gives equity-based support of up to ₹100 lakh per startup for scale-up.
Don’t confuse with BIRAC vs DBT: DBT is the government department under the Ministry of Science and Technology. BIRAC is its public sector undertaking that funds and mentors biotech startups.
Don’t confuse with NIDHI vs BIRAC schemes: NIDHI is run by the Department of Science and Technology for science-based startups. BioNEST, BIG, SEED and LEAP are BIRAC's schemes for biotech startups.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Merges scattered schemes into one framework from research to commercialisation.
- Supports biomanufacturing and the target of a US$300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.
Problems
- Translating lab research into market products remains slow.
- Startups in biotech need long, costly funding and clear regulatory approvals.
Way forward
- Expand biofoundries and incubators beyond major cities.
- Streamline regulatory pathways and attract private follow-on investment.
Put in your answer
Bioeconomy growth: India's bioeconomy grew from about USD 10 billion in 2014 to over USD 195 billion in 2025.
Biopharma SHAKTI: The government announced Biopharma SHAKTI with ₹10,000 crore over five years for biologics and biosimilars.
- 2018Mains GS3 · Q15Reasons for biotechnology activity in India and benefits to biopharma
- 2021Mains GS3 · Q15Applied biotechnology R&D achievements and their benefit to poorer sections
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q5World IPR on life materials; why few Indian patents commercialise
- 2003Prelims Q55Matching Indian business figures like Mazumdar Shaw with their sectors
- 2026Prelims Q48Correct statements about DBT-funded GenomeIndia Project genetic diversity catalogue
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting scheme with Cabinet approval on 18-09-2024 and a $300 billion bioeconomy goal; schemes are 16% of news-linked Prelims questions, but no fresh hook today.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.