Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biomedical Research Career Programme

1.1 When was DBT set up?

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) began in 1986. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi set it up within the Ministry of Science and Technology. India was among the first countries to have a dedicated biotechnology department.

1.2 What came before it?

In 1982 the government set up the National Biotechnology Board (NBTB). Its job was to pick the key areas and plan for long-term skills in this new field. DBT grew from that groundwork.

1.3 What does DBT do?

• Oversight: it watches over self-contained institutes.
• Partnerships: it links universities with industry.
• Global links: it is the nodal point for international collaboration in specific areas.
• Safety: it develops biosafety guidelines.

2.1 What does the name mean?

BRCP stands for the Biomedical Research Career Programme. It backs the careers of biomedical researchers in India. DBT runs it with the Wellcome Trust of the UK.

2.2 How is it run?

The programme runs through the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance. The India Alliance is a special purpose vehicle (SPV). An SPV is a body set up to do one defined job.

2.3 What are its phases?

• Phase I: launched in 2008-09 with Cabinet approval.
• Phase II: began in 2018-19 with a wider set of activities.
• Phase III: covers 2025-26 to 2030-31.

2.4 What has it achieved?

Since 2008 it has backed more than 500 researchers. It has strengthened biomedical research in over 200 institutions. Dame Fiona Powrie of the Wellcome Trust called it an 18-year collaboration.

3.1 When was it approved and launched?

The Union Cabinet approved Phase-III on 1 October 2025. Dr Jitendra Singh launched it on 15 July 2026. Press reports of the launch carry that date.

3.2 How much will it cost?

The total cost is Rs 1,500 crore. DBT pays Rs 1,000 crore. The Wellcome Trust pays Rs 500 crore.

3.3 How long does it run?

The main tenure is 2025-26 to 2030-31. Six more years, 2031-32 to 2037-38, are kept to service fellowships and grants approved by 2030-31.

4.1 Which strands does it have?

Source: Cabinet release of 1 October 2025.

4.2 What does it hope to deliver?

• Training: over 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows.
• Women: a 10-15% rise in support.
• Technology: 25-30% of collaborative programmes to approach TRL4 and above.
• Reach: more activity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 settings.

4.3 What is TRL?

TRL stands for Technology Readiness Level. It rates how ready a technology is for real use. A higher level means the idea is closer to a working product.

5.1 What was announced?

On 16 July 2026 Dr Jitendra Singh announced India’s first Engineering Biology course. It is a Bachelor of Science course. He announced it at the launch of the roadmap ‘Building India as a Leading Bioeconomy Powerhouse by 2035’.

5.2 Why does it matter?

He said Engineering Biology will be a foundation for the next phase of growth. He compared it to Computer Science in the digital economy. The IITs have begun sending proposals for programmes that mix engineering and medicine.

6.1 How big is it?

• Growth: from nearly USD 10 billion in 2014 to around USD 95 billion today.
• Target: USD 300 billion by 2030.
• Start-ups: more than 11,000 biotechnology start-ups.
• Pace: about 15-18% growth a year, said DBT Secretary Rajesh S. Gokhale.

6.2 What drives it?

India has a biotechnology policy named BioE3. It stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Employment and Environment. The new roadmap aims for nearly USD 700 billion by 2035. A proposed Rs 50,000 crore Bioeconomy Growth Fund would back it.

7.1 Which facts are asked most?

• DBT: set up in 1986, after the 1982 board.
• BRCP: DBT with the Wellcome Trust, UK, since 2008-09.
• Phase-III: Rs 1,500 crore, split Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 500 crore.
• Dates: Cabinet 1 October 2025, launch 15 July 2026.

7.2 Which mix-ups come up?

• 1982 against 1986: the board against the department.
• Approval against launch: October 2025 against July 2026.
• Who pays what: DBT pays the larger share.