Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said India is entering a transformative phase in healthcare, with advances in biotechnology, genomics and multi-omics research positioning the country as a global leader in precision medicine, biomanufacturing and medical innovation.
Speaking at the Multi-Omics Summit 2026 organised by the Proteomics Society, India with advocacy partnership of the IHW Council, the minister said India has moved from a stage where patients travelled abroad for advanced treatment to becoming a preferred destination for medical tourism due to quality and cost-effective healthcare.
Rapid growth in biotechnology sector
Highlighting the growth of the country’s biotechnology ecosystem, Singh said India now has more than 11,000 biotech startups, a significant increase from only a few dozen a decade ago.
He said the government’s recently introduced BioE3 Policy – aimed at promoting biotechnology for economy, environment and employment – will accelerate innovation, strengthen biomanufacturing capacity and expand the country’s bioeconomy.
The minister also referred to the ₹10,000-crore Biopharma Shakti scheme, which will support the development of biomanufacturing hubs, biofoundries and advanced research infrastructure across the country.
India’s genetic diversity a major advantage
Singh noted that India’s large and genetically diverse population provides a unique advantage for genomic research and global collaboration.
Through initiatives such as the Genome India Project and the upcoming Phenome India Initiative, around 10,000 genomes have already been sequenced, he said, adding that the effort will be scaled up further to identify disease patterns and develop targeted therapies.
The minister said integrating genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics through multi-omics platforms, supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning, will help scientists better understand complex diseases and create personalised treatments.
Breakthroughs in medical research
Singh also highlighted recent advances in gene-based therapies and nuclear medicine, including research on diseases such as Sickle Cell Disease and Hemophilia.
He cited developments in nuclear medicine for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children at the Tata Memorial Centre, calling it an example of India’s growing scientific capabilities.
Collaboration and innovation key to future healthcare
The minister said India is increasingly becoming a hub for international collaboration in advanced research fields such as multi-omics, which require interdisciplinary partnerships between academia, industry and startups.
He also noted that recent reforms allowing private participation in the nuclear sector could further accelerate innovation in nuclear medicine when integrated with genomics and precision medicine.
Singh added that India has already demonstrated leadership in preventive healthcare through the development of the world’s first DNA-based vaccine, reflecting the country’s commitment to affordable healthcare solutions.
Calling the present phase one of the most exciting periods in modern medicine, he said the convergence of biotechnology, artificial intelligence and genomics will create unprecedented opportunities for healthcare innovation in the coming years.
