In a major push toward advanced and personalised medicine, the Government of India has rolled out a series of ambitious, science‑driven initiatives that promise to reshape the country’s healthcare landscape—from genomics and precision diagnostics to next‑generation targeted therapies.
One of the most significant milestones comes from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), whose flagship ‘GenomeIndia’ project has successfully completed whole genome sequencing of more than 10,000 individuals. Representing all major population groups across the country, this national genetic database is expected to strengthen India’s position in global genomic research and pave the way for customised healthcare solutions. Officials describe it as a step toward “democratising and disseminating” genetic knowledge for sustainable development.
Complementing this effort is the newly launched Phenome India National Biobank at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi. Equipped with state‑of‑the‑art facilities, the biobank aims to build a nationwide cohort of 10,000 individuals, collecting lifestyle, clinical and genomic information that could drive more accurate disease prediction and precision‑based treatment strategies.
DBT has further identified Precision Biotherapeutics as a key focus under its BioE3 Policy. The department is now supporting the development of indigenous mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, and cell and gene therapies—helping bridge gaps from discovery research to large‑scale manufacturing, with an eye on affordability.
Addressing the burden of genetic disorders, DBT’s UMMID initiative has established specialised NIDAN Kendras across India. These centres offer comprehensive services including prenatal testing, newborn screening for treatable metabolic disorders, and genetic counselling for families at risk, making advanced genetic care accessible to more people.
UMMID—short for Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders—is a national initiative launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) on 23 September 2019 to tackle India’s growing burden of genetic and inherited disorders. The programme is designed around the principle “Prevention is better than cure.”
On another front, the department’s Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium is using genomics and artificial intelligence to track drug‑resistant strains of tuberculosis. The goal is faster detection, a deeper understanding of emerging mutations, and evidence‑based strategies to bolster India’s fight against TB.
Encouraging innovation from industry, the Department of Pharmaceuticals is running the PRIP scheme, which provides financial support to pharma and MedTech companies—including MSMEs and start‑ups—to accelerate research, validation, and commercialisation of new medicines, biosimilars, complex generics and priority‑area medical devices.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health Research (DHR) is expanding access to precision oncology through its DIAMOnDS programme. With 25 centres nationwide, the scheme offers free advanced molecular diagnostic services to underprivileged patients with lung and breast cancer, helping doctors tailor treatment using crucial biomarker-based insights. Through its Health Technology Assessment arm, the department is also evaluating advanced technologies to integrate them cost‑effectively into national health programmes.
DHR, through ICMR, continues to push the frontier of indigenous innovation by funding high-risk, high-reward R&D in diagnostics, biologics, medical devices and personalised therapies. Facilities such as mPRAGATI at IIT Delhi provide cutting‑edge support for precision design and testing. Capacity-building efforts are strengthened through DHR’s HRD scheme, which trains researchers in emerging health technologies.
Supporting innovators further, ICMR has established systems like MedTech Mitra, Patent Mitra and the national Clinical Trial Network (INTENT) to provide regulatory guidance and streamline clinical trials—helping promising ideas reach patients faster.
ICMR has also shaped the country’s ethical framework for advanced biomedical research. Its national guidelines on biobanking, genomic data use, and secondary analysis of clinical samples, along with co‑developed norms for gene therapy development, ensure that India’s progress in personalised medicine is both cutting-edge and ethically sound.
