**Executive Summary**
The inaugural meeting of the BRIC-Research Advisory Board (BRIC-RAB) was held on March 27–28, 2026, to strategize the transformation of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) into a cohesive, decentralized national laboratory. The Board, chaired by Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, focused on guiding research initiatives, establishing shared infrastructure, and developing sovereign technologies to bolster India's bioeconomy. Key outcomes included the introduction of a performance framework for scientists and plans for biomanufacturing hubs to position India as a global biotechnology leader.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Governance and Institutional Framework**
* **Establishment of BRIC:** BRIC is an Apex Autonomous Body formed by subsuming 14 Autonomous Institutes of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
* **Role of the RAB:** The Research Advisory Board is responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring research activities across BRIC Institutes (iBRIC) and developing new targeted programs.
* **Cohesive Transformation:** A primary goal is to transition BRIC into a decentralized national biotechnology laboratory that functions as a formidable global frontrunner.
**Strategic Research and Innovation Goals**
* **Mission-Focused Objectives:** Research will prioritize human health, agriculture, environment, and AI/Data sciences.
* **Sovereign Technologies:** There is a strategic emphasis on developing sovereign technologies to support the vision of "Viksit Bharat," moving India from a technology consumer to a global innovation leader.
* **Frugal Innovation:** The meeting highlighted "design intelligence," which involves utilizing locally sourced materials and customized approaches for critical sectors.
**Infrastructure and Collaboration**
* **Shared Resources:** The council aims to foster a culture of open knowledge sharing, resource optimization, and the collective use of laboratories and expertise.
* **Biomanufacturing Hubs:** The development of a network of biomanufacturing hubs and biofoundries is intended to place BRIC at the forefront of the emerging bio-based economy.
* **Industry Linkages:** Strategies were discussed to utilize core budgets to build strong linkages with the industry and achieve technology leadership.
**Operational and Scientific Accountability**
* **Performance Framework:** A new performance framework matrix was discussed to help scientists align their career goals with institutional mandates and nation-building objectives.
* **Multidisciplinary Approach:** The board emphasized the necessity of multidisciplinary teams to tackle complex scientific challenges and manage dense, complex data generated by the "bio-revolution."
**Impact Analysis**
**BRIC-Research Advisory Board (RAB)**
**Impact**
The Board is empowered as the primary oversight body responsible for the strategic direction of biotechnology research in India.
**Action Required**
Members must act as "co-architects" to design and guide the realization of ambitious, forward-thinking, and mission-focused objectives.
**iBRIC+ Institutes and Directors**
**Impact**
Institutes are required to transition from individual operations to a cohesive, interconnected network sharing a strategic vision.
**Action Required**
Directors must map institutional capacities and niche research domains while utilizing core budgets to create industry linkages and foster technology leadership.
**BRIC Scientists and Faculty**
**Impact**
Scientific staff will be evaluated under a new performance framework matrix that aligns research with national goals.
**Action Required**
Faculty must adopt a culture of inter-institutional collaboration, engage in open knowledge sharing, and participate in interactive sessions with the RAB to advance the bioeconomy.
**Indian Biotechnology Sector / Bioeconomy**
**Impact**
The sector is poised for a shift toward sovereign technology production and increased global competitiveness.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders must leverage the country’s demographic advantages, biodiversity, and data resources to facilitate disruptive research and innovation milestones.
Key Entities Referenced
Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC): An apex autonomous body formed by subsuming 14 institutes of the Department of Biotechnology to streamline and lead national biotechnology research.
BRIC-Research Advisory Board (BRIC-RAB): The oversight body responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring the research activities and missions conducted by BRIC institutes.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT): The primary government department under the Ministry of Science & Technology responsible for the establishment and framework of the BRIC ecosystem.
Prof. K. VijayRaghavan: Chairperson of the BRIC-Research Advisory Board and former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, leading the strategic oversight of biotech initiatives.
Viksit Bharat: The national vision for a developed India, serving as the strategic goal for the sovereign technologies and bioeconomic advancements discussed in the meeting.
Ministry of Science & Technology
First Meeting of BRIC-Research Advisory Board
(BRIC-RAB)
Posted On: 28 MAR 2026 7:04PM by PIB Delhi
The Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) is an Apex Autonomous Body established as
a registered Society, formed by subsuming 14 Autonomous Institutes of the Department of Biotechnology
(DBT). To ensure effective oversight of BRIC's research initiatives, a Research Advisory Board (RAB)
has been constituted under the Chairpersonship of Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, DAE Homi Bhabha Professor,
former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and former Secretary, DBT. BRIC-RAB is
responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring the research activities conducted by BRIC Institutes
(iBRIC) and fostering deliberations for developing new missions and targeted programs.
The inaugural meeting of the BRIC-Research Advisory Board (BRIC-RAB) was held on 27th-28th March
2026 at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad. The two-day event featured a dynamic
gathering deliberating on bold and ambitious national initiatives, prioritizing shared infrastructure while
envisioning governance reforms designed to guide BRIC's transformation into a cohesive, decentralized
national biotechnology laboratory. The goal is to establish BRIC as a formidable global frontrunner in
biotechnology research, paving the way for innovative advancements in the field.
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT & DG, BRIC, presented an in-depth talk on ‘Co-creating the Next
Phase of India’s Biotech Transformation through BRIC Framework’. He articulated that the members of
BRIC-RAB have a unique role as co-architects of BRIC transformation. The focus of the RAB should be
on designing and guiding the realization of ambitious, forward-thinking, mission-focused objectives
tailored for a growing bioeconomy. Besides setting visionary goals, innovative strategies and approaches
will drive the ecosystem towards a prosperous future while fostering steadfast growth and sustainability.
Prof. VijayRaghavan commended the ongoing efforts to foster a spirit of collaboration within the vibrant
and inclusive BRIC ecosystem. He offered valuable insights into how BRIC can be envisioned as a leader
in pioneering groundbreaking scientific discoveries and innovations. He highlighted the significance of
multidisciplinary teams, emphasizing that they are vital to creating forward-thinking laboratories capable
of tackling the increasingly intricate scientific challenges we face today. He mentioned that as we embark
on this new era of the bio-revolution, the questions confronting us are not only larger in scope, but efforts
to solve them generate a wealth of dense and complex data. This complexity necessitates a collective
approach embedded in the principles of open knowledge sharing, resource optimization, shared
infrastructure and fostering an environment of continuous, iterative ideation in tandem with technology
advancements.
The directors of iBRIC+, comprising iBRIC, RCB, and ICGEB, shared a map of institutional capacity,
niche research domains and future aspirations while sharing a cohesive vision of the strategic
infrastructure established within the BRIC ecosystem to tackle critical challenges across vital sectors such
as human health, agriculture, environment, AI/Data sciences etc. A network of biomanufacturing hubs and
biofoundries developed within BRIC, positions it at the forefront of the emerging bio-based economy.
Follow-up deliberations focused on the importance of fostering inter-institutional collaborations andcultivating a culture that promotes the sharing of laboratories, resources, and expertise among researchers
and organisations. The performance framework matrix for BRIC scientists was also discussed, enabling
BRIC faculties to understand their roles and purpose in their scientific careers and to align with
institutional mandates and nation-building goals.
To steer discussions on bold national missions for the biotechnology sector, expert members led an
ideation session on how best to utilise the core budget of iBRIC+ to achieve technology leadership, build
strong linkages with industry to create a robust bioeconomy, and generate strong biotech leaders of the
future.
The conversations surrounding frugal innovations prominently featured the concept of design intelligence,
emphasizing the importance of utilizing locally-sourced materials and adopting a customized approach for
critical sectors. A key theme of the meeting revolved around the imperative of developing sovereign
technologies to support the vision of Viksit Bharat. Experts underscored the need to leverage the country's
demographic advantages, rich biodiversity, and extensive data resources. This strategic approach aims to
facilitate India's transition from merely being a consumer of technology to becoming a global leader in
innovation, showcasing its potential on the world stage.
The conclave culminated with an open webinar cum panel discussion providing a valuable platform for
iBRIC faculty to engage with the members of the Research Advisory Board (RAB). This interactive
session allowed for an exchange of diverse ideas and opportunities aimed at strengthening BRIC's pivotal
role in advancing India’s bioeconomy. Participants discussed diverse strategies and key initiatives that
could help propel the country’s bioeconomic landscape towards disruptive research and innovation
milestones.****
NKR/MJ
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