The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy of the Government of India has laid down the strategic framework for promoting High Performance Biomanufacturing in the country. The policy has identified six thematic areas viz. (i) Biobased chemicals, Biopolymers, APIs and Enzymes; (ii) Smart Proteins and Functional foods; (iii) Precision therapeutics; (iv) Climate resilient agriculture; (v) Carbon Capture and Utilization; and (vi) Marine and Space Research. Eleven calls for proposals have been announced in these thematic areas of Biomanufacturing under the categories; a) Discovery & Application-oriented Integrated Network Research and, b) Bridging the Gap for Scale up. In order to augment research infrastructure for scale up across the six thematic verticals, initiatives have been taken to set up the “मूलांकुर BioEnablers – Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs” including the Bio-Artificial Intelligence Hubs across the country.
These initiatives are being implemented by Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology jointly with its public sector undertaking, Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in a manner, to provide the opportunities to stakeholders from academia, start ups and industries; for building Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry capacities across the country on the basis of scientific merit, innovation element and scale of the process and products. The proposal under the ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component’ are being taken up through open call for proposals and in Mission Mode, while 10% of the budget under the component has been earmarked for the North Eastern Region (NER).
Department is also strengthening Centre-State partnerships to establish the BioE3 cells for building capacities in states to promote the state specific biomanufacturing ecosystem. Towards this, State BioE3 Cells have been notified by the respective state governments in two north-eastern states viz. Assam and Sikkim. A Network proposal has been supported involving iBRIC Institutes and State Government of Sikkim to develop and test, bio-based solutions in circumventing pest/pathogens of large cardamom and develop new disease-tolerant varieties. The program also aims to utilize bio-innovations to address local priorities and promote sustainable farming systems.
A list of projects supported under the ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component’ being implemented in NER, is placed at Annexure I.
Annexure- I
List of projects being implemented in NER states under ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component.
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S.Nm
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Project Titled
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NER State
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Implementing Institute
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1.
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Exploring Carbon Capture and Utilization in Millet-Based Agroforestry Systems: Enhancing Biomass and Soil Carbon through Microbial Activity
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Arunachal Pradesh
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Central Agricultural University, Manipur
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2.
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Carbon Sequestration through Afforestation & Bioengineered Plant Systems
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Meghalaya
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Bio-Resources Development Centre, Shillong
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3.
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Developing and demonstrating microalgae-based CO2 capture and biomass valorization towards high-performance biomanufacturing of sustainable aviation fuel and biopesticide
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Assam
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Indian Institute of Technology , Guwahati
Malaviya National Institute of Technology , Jaipur
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4.
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Development of Genetically Engineered Microalgae, Membrane-Based Photobioreactors and Microalgal-Derived Acid-Base Bifunctional Activated Biochar for Enhanced CO₂ Capture and Biofuel Generation: A Life Cycle Assessment
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Assam
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National Institute of Technology Silchar
CSIR- Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata
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5.
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Integrated Biotechnological and Geochemical Approach for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and Valorization of Wasted Drill Cuttings using ACT and MICP
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Assam
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Indian Institute of Technology , Guwahati
Dibrugarh University, Assam
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6.
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Biotechnological interventions for revitalizing sustainable large Cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) cultivation
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Sikkim
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Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology
Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal and other National Institutions
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This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April 2026.
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NKR/JKP/SG