**Executive Summary**
The document summarizes Dr. Jitendra Singh's address highlighting India's progress in healthcare, transitioning from infectious diseases to personalized medicine. He emphasized the importance of early detection, affordability, and personalized treatment, especially for genetic and rare diseases, noting that India introduced its first National Policy for Rare Diseases in 2021. During his visit to the DBT-BRIC Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad, he laid the foundation stone of the SAMARTH Skill Centre and inaugurated the iDeA-NA BRIC-CDFD Technology Incubator on January 9th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Healthcare Advancement:**
* India has entered a futuristic healthcare phase, focusing on molecular diagnostics, genome sequencing, and personalized medicine.
* Institutions like CDFD are crucial for bridging laboratory research with real-life clinical outcomes.
* **Government Initiatives & Policy:**
* Biotechnology and health have received unprecedented priority under PM Modi.
* India introduced its first National Policy for Rare Diseases in 2021.
* Integrated healthcare model is promoted, including traditional systems and yoga.
* Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) has strengthened coordination for research and industry collaboration.
* **Focus Areas:**
* Emphasis on early detection and affordability of treatments, especially for genetic and rare diseases.
* Personalized treatment is vital, as patients with similar conditions may require different therapeutic approaches.
* India is witnessing rapid progress in genomics-led initiatives, including large-scale genome sequencing and paediatric genetic disease programmes.
* **Global Role:**
* India is reinforcing its role in global health security through indigenous innovations in vaccines and preventive healthcare.
* **Economic Growth:**
* The number of biotech startups has increased, contributing to the economy.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Citizens of India**
* **Impact**: Access to advanced healthcare, including personalized medicine, genomic sequencing, and early detection programs. Benefit from the focus on affordable treatments and preventive healthcare measures.
* **Action Required**: Stay informed about available healthcare resources, participate in health programs and awareness campaigns.
**Stakeholder: Scientific Community and Startups**
* **Impact**: Opportunities for research, development, and innovation in genomics, biotechnology, and healthcare. Increased funding and support for biotech startups and collaboration between institutions.
* **Action Required**: Engage with the BRIC, develop innovative solutions in genomics and healthcare, and contribute to building a healthier nation.
**Stakeholder: Healthcare Institutions (e.g., CDFD)**
* **Impact**: Play a pivotal role in bridging research and clinical outcomes, contributing to the advancement of personalized medicine and genomics. Increased visibility and recognition for their contributions.
* **Action Required**: Continue to conduct impactful research, collaborate with industry partners, and disseminate scientific knowledge to the public.
**Stakeholder: Government (Ministry of Science & Technology)**
* **Impact**: Successfully implement and promote policies related to healthcare, biotechnology, and scientific innovation. Enhance India's global leadership in health security and research.
* **Action Required**: Continue to prioritize funding for biotechnology and healthcare initiatives, support research and development, and promote public awareness of scientific advancements.
Key Entities Referenced
National Policy for Rare Diseases in 2021: India's first policy of its kind, marking a shift in the government's approach to rare diseases.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT): Indian government department, mentioned in the context of DBT-CDFD.
DBT-BRIC Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad: Organization where the foundation stone of the National Skill Development Centre, SAMARTH, was laid and a technology incubator was inaugurated.
SAMARTH Skill Centre: National Skill Development Centre that was inaugurated. Appears to relate to skill development.
Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC): Council that strengthens coordination among institutions for research and industry collaboration
Ministry of Science & Technology
From infectious diseases to personalised
medicine, India enters futuristic healthcare
phase: Dr Jitendra Singh
Dr Jitendra Singh lays foundation stone of SAMARTH Skill
Centre and inaugurates iDeA-NA BRIC-CDFD Technology
Incubator at DBT-CDFD, Hyderabad
India must focus on early detection, affordability, and
personalised treatment in genetic and rare diseases: Dr
Jitendra Singh
Modi Govt was the first to introduce India’s first National
Policy for Rare Diseases in 2021, marking a major shift in the
government’s approach, reflecting foresight and openness to
scientific inputs.
Government prioritising biotechnology and preventive
healthcare under PM Modi’s vision: Dr Jitendra Singh
प्रव तथ: 09 JAN 2026 5:13PM by PIB Delhi
Emphasising that early detection and affordability are the two biggest challenges in addressing genetic and rare diseases,
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO,
Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today said that India is now scientifically and
economically equipped to take on complex health challenges through genomics, biotechnology, and preventive healthcare.
The Minister was speaking during his visit to the DBT-BRIC Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and
Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, where he laid the foundation stone of the National Skill Development
Centre, SAMARTH and inaugurated the iDeA-NA BRIC-CDFD Technology Incubator.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that unlike earlier decades, when India was primarily battling infectious diseases,
the country has now entered a futuristic phase where molecular diagnostics, genome sequencing and
personalised medicine are becoming central to healthcare delivery. He noted that institutions like CDFD
play a crucial role in bridging laboratory research with real-life clinical outcomes.
Highlighting the government’s policy direction, the Minister said that biotechnology and health have
received unprecedented priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with repeated emphasis from the
ramparts of the Red Fort. He recalled the announcement of the Bio-E3 Policy during the Independence
Day address, describing it as a catalyst that has sparked widespread interest among scientists, startups, and
young innovators across the country.Dr Jitendra Singh observed that India is witnessing rapid progress in genomics-led initiatives, including
large-scale genome sequencing, paediatric genetic disease programmes, and pioneering work in areas such
as haemophilia. He said these efforts are preparing the healthcare system for an era of personalised
treatment, where patients with similar conditions may require different therapeutic approaches.
Referring to the issue of rare diseases, the Minister said that the introduction of India’s first National
Policy for Rare Diseases in 2021 marked a major shift in the government’s approach, reflecting foresight
and openness to scientific inputs. He highlighted that detection alone is not enough, and sustained
treatment must also be made affordable for affected families.
The Minister also spoke about the integrated healthcare model being promoted by the government,
including the institutionalisation of traditional systems through the Ministry of Ayush and the global
recognition of yoga as a preventive health tool. He said that evidence-based integration of wellness
practices with modern medicine has shown positive outcomes in managing lifestyle and metabolic
disorders.
During the visit, Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed ongoing research and innovation activities at CDFD and
appreciated initiatives such as genome sequencing programmes and outreach efforts aimed at public
awareness. The minister said that communicating science in a language accessible to citizens, especially
the youth, is essential for building trust and interest in biotechnology.
Highlighting India’s growing bio-economy, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the number of biotech startups has
increased manifold over the years, while the sector’s contribution to the economy has seen a sharp rise. He
added that the formation of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) has strengthened
coordination among institutions, leading to high-impact research and industry collaboration.
The Minister also underscored India’s leadership in vaccines and preventive healthcare, stating that
indigenous innovations are now being deployed nationally and shared globally, reinforcing the country’s
role in global health security.
Concluding his address, the Minister said that with nearly 70 per cent of India’s population below the age
of 40, investing in health through early diagnosis and prevention is a national imperative. He expressed
satisfaction over the work being done at CDFD and said that such institutions are contributing
meaningfully to building a healthier, stronger, and future-ready India.*****
NKR/AK
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