Published: 19 March 2026Business StandardScience & Technology
India BioEconomy Report 2026: Sector Reaches $195.3 Billion, Grows 18% in 2025
The India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026, released around March 19–20, 2026 at the 14th Foundation Day of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in New Delhi, revealed that India's bioeconomy grew by 18% in 2025 — the highest annual growth rate on record — reaching $195.3 billion and contributing nearly 5% to the national GDP. The sector expanded from just $10 billion in 2014 to $195.3 billion in 2025, marking a near-20-fold rise in just over a decade.
The BioIndustrial segment was the largest contributor at $90.2 billion, followed by biopharmaceuticals and bio-agriculture. India already supplies approximately 20% of global generic medicines and over 60% of the world's vaccines. The report, developed by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), projects India's bioeconomy to reach $300 billion by 2030, positioning the country as a global biotechnology hub. The government's BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) and increased R&D funding through BIRAC have been cited as key drivers. For Rajasthan, the growing bio-agriculture segment offers significant potential for farmers in arid zones adopting biofertilisers and biopesticides.
0Mains angle
Q: Analyse the drivers behind India's bioeconomy growth reaching $195.3 billion in 2025 and discuss how the BioE3 Policy can enable Rajasthan's arid-zone agriculture through bio-inputs.
Answer (50 words):
India's bioeconomy grew 18% in 2025, the highest annual rate, reaching $195.3 billion per IBER 2026 released at BIRAC's 14th Foundation Day. The sector expanded from $10 billion in 2014, contributing nearly 5% to GDP. Targeting $300 billion by 2033, BioE3 Policy drives biotechnology for economy, environment and employment.
6-axis classification
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Consider the following statements regarding the India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026:
1. India's bioeconomy reached $195.3 billion in 2025, registering an 18% growth — the highest-ever annual rate.
2. The BioIndustrial segment was the largest contributor at $90.2 billion.
3. IBER 2026 was developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
4. India's bioeconomy targets $300 billion by 2033.
Which of the statements given above are CORRECT?
Explanation · Correct answer AStatements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. India's bioeconomy reached $195.3 billion in 2025 with 18% growth, the BioIndustrial segment led at $90.2 billion, and the $300 billion target by 2033 is projected. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: IBER 2026 was developed by the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE), a private industry body — NOT the Ministry of Science and Technology. It was released at BIRAC's 14th Foundation Day. BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) is a not-for-profit PSE under the Department of Biotechnology.
Frequently asked questions
What was India's bioeconomy size in 2025 and what growth rate did it record?
India's bioeconomy reached $195.3 billion in 2025, recording 18% annual growth — the highest-ever rate — as per the India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026.
What is BIRAC and what role does it play in India's bioeconomy?
BIRAC stands for Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. It is a public sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology that funds and supports biotech start-ups and research. IBER 2026 was released at BIRAC's 14th Foundation Day.
What is India's bioeconomy target for 2033 and what was it in 2014?
India's bioeconomy was $10 billion in 2014 and aims to reach $300 billion by 2033, contributing 5% to GDP — a 30-fold increase over less than two decades.
What is the BioE3 Policy (2024) and why is it significant?
The BioE3 Policy (2024) — Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment — is a flagship policy enabling high-performance biomanufacturing in India. Along with the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2021–25, it is a key enabler of India's bioeconomy growth.
What is India's global ranking in biotechnology and how many biotech start-ups does it have?
India ranks among the top 12 biotech destinations globally and is home to over 11,800 biotech start-ups, making it one of the most vibrant biotech ecosystems in the world.
