Dr Jitendra inspects CSIR-IMTECH, highlights growth in India’s biotech sector

Chandigarh, Feb 26: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, inspected “Microbe Repository” and other facilities at the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH) here and took an update on the ongoing projects in the institute.
During the review, Dr Singh said that microbial technology is a crucial pillar of biotechnology, emphasising its growing significance in shaping the next generation industrial revolution.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the groundbreaking New BioE3 Policy, which places a renewed focus on biomanufacturing and bio foundries. Dr Jitendra underscored India’s rapid progress in the biotech sector, stating, “India’s bioeconomy has witnessed an extraordinary surge from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024, with projections to reach $300 billion by 2030.”
The minister recalled the recent launch of India’s first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, developed to combat resistant infections. “The number of biotech startups in India has grown exponentially from just 50 in 2014 to nearly 9,000 today, solidifying India’s position as a global hub for biotech innovation,” he said, adding that India now ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region and 12th globally in bio-manufacturing.
“This underscores the increasing importance of CSIR-IMTECH in driving pioneering research in microbial genetics, infectious diseases, fermentation technology, environmental microbiology, and bioinformatics,” he said
CSIR-IMTECH, a premier research institute in microbial biotechnology, hosts a repository of over 14,000 microbial strains through its Microbial Type Culture Collection and Gene Bank (MTCC). This national repository not only provides authenticated cultures to researchers and industries but also supports key regulatory authorities, including IPC, BIS, and NBA, in microbe-related concerns.
The institute is at the forefront of harnessing microbial resources for scientific and industrial applications, addressing unmet needs in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental sciences.
Connecting virtually with CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Dr Singh inaugurated several new facilities and participated in critical scientific discussions. He joined the EMBO Workshop on High Elevation Plant Adaptation in a Changing Climate (HEPACC) and the Industry, Farmer & Academia (IFA) Meet, emphasizing that such initiatives reflect the Government of India’s commitment to scientific advancement, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture.
He also virtually inaugurated the new “Tulip” Garden at Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, commending the CSIR-IHBT Palampur team for their scientific interventions that have enabled wider tulip cultivation even in other seasons, a model that can be replicated in other regions.
The minister launched products developed by agri-startups that have been supported by the institute, fostering innovation in the agricultural sector. He also inaugurated state-of-the-art facilities, including Autonomous Green House, Heeng Seed Production Centre, Heeng QPM Facility, Ornamental Bulb Processing Facility and Phyto-Analytical Facility.
“By integrating scientific research, industry collaboration, and government policies, the rich biodiversity of Himalayan states can be harnessed for economic prosperity, benefiting farmers and advancing India’s scientific ecosystem,” Dr Singh added.