**Executive Summary**
On July 4, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the 3rd anniversary of the Liver & Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN), highlighting a rising "metabolic nexus" of liver disease and Type-2 diabetes in India. He called for a mission-mode national response to address the shift of these diseases toward younger populations. The document emphasizes the need for indigenous research, early diagnosis, and public awareness to achieve the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047."
**Key Points / Main Content**
**The Growing Metabolic Crisis**
* India is facing a "liver epidemic" and a sharp rise in Type-2 diabetes, which are part of an interconnected metabolic nexus involving fatty liver, hypertension, and insulin resistance.
* There is a significant epidemiological shift where metabolic disorders, once associated with the elderly, are increasingly diagnosed in younger adults and adolescents.
* The liver is under stress from preventable causes, including unhealthy dietary habits, lifestyle factors, poor sleep patterns, stressful behavior, and environmental pollution.
**Research and Indigenous Solutions**
* India’s unique genetic predisposition and "Indian phenotype" necessitate local data and solutions rather than relying solely on external evidence.
* The Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS) is spearheading the National Liver Biobank and developing affordable diagnostic technologies and indigenous biomarkers.
* Advances in biotechnology, the Genome Mission, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being leveraged to develop precision medicine tailored to individual genetic and lifestyle profiles.
**Strategic National Response**
* A shift is required from curative healthcare toward prevention, early detection, and lifestyle modification.
* The InFLiMeN network, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), facilitates collaborative research and evidence-based policy interventions.
* Public health success is viewed as essential for preserving the productivity and potential of India's youth and enhancing national development.
**Impact Analysis**
**Healthcare Professionals and Researchers**
**Impact**
They are tasked with shifting focus toward precision medicine and the development of indigenous screening tools.
**Action Required**
Collaborate across scientific institutions to promote scientifically validated health practices and utilize the biotechnology ecosystem for large-scale gene sequencing.
**The Indian Youth and General Public**
**Impact**
This demographic is increasingly vulnerable to metabolic disorders at earlier life stages, threatening their long-term health and productivity.
**Action Required**
Adopt lifestyle modifications, participate in community-level screening, and engage in behavioral changes regarding nutrition and stress management.
**Scientific and Government Institutions (e.g., DST, ILBS)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for driving the national response and maintaining the infrastructure for metabolic research.
**Action Required**
Strengthen collaborative networks, support the National Liver Biobank, and implement policy interventions focused on affordable and accessible preventive healthcare.
**Media and Civil Society**
**Impact**
These stakeholders are identified as critical partners in the "mission-mode" awareness campaign.
**Action Required**
Work together to counter misinformation relating to nutrition and obesity and promote public awareness of lifestyle-related diseases.
Key Entities Referenced
Liver & Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN): A landmark national platform supported by the Department of Science & Technology that facilitates collaborative research, early diagnosis, and policy interventions for metabolic disorders.
Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS): The primary medical and research institution in New Delhi hosting the InFLiMeN initiative and responsible for creating the National Liver Biobank.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The central government department providing the primary scientific and funding support for the national network and collaborative research on liver diseases.
Genome Mission: A national mission cited as a critical biotechnology initiative to understand India's unique genetic disease patterns through large-scale gene sequencing.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The strategic national vision document that frames the reduction of metabolic disease burdens as essential for India's future human capital and development.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India's Liver Epidemic, Diabetes Surge Part of a
Larger Metabolic Nexus; Calls for Mission-Mode
Public Awareness: Dr Jitendra Singh
Liver, despite being the body's most resilient organ, is
increasingly coming under stress from unhealthy dietary
habits, lifestyle factors, inappropriate sleep patterns, stressful
behaviour, and environmental pollution: Dr Jitendra Singh
Metabolic disorders are increasingly affecting younger
Indians, making it a national concern rather than merely a
medical issue: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh Addresses 3rd Anniversary
of Liver & Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN) at Institute
of Liver & Biliary Sciences
प्रव तथ: 04 JUL 2026 4:08PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of
State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh
today said India's liver epidemic and the sharp rise in Type-2 diabetes are part of a larger metabolic nexus,
with disorders such as fatty liver, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance closely
interconnected and predisposing one another.
The Minister said these diseases are now appearing at much younger ages than before, making the
challenge far more than a medical issue and calling for a mission-mode national response driven by
preventive healthcare and mass public awareness, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sustained
emphasis on tackling obesity and lifestyle-related diseases.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the 3rd Anniversary of the Liver & Metabolic Disease Network
(InFLiMeN) at the Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi. The network, supported by
the Department of Science & Technology (DST), seeks to strengthen collaborative research, innovation,
early diagnosis and evidence-based policy interventions to combat the growing burden of liver and
metabolic diseases in India.
The programme was attended by Dr. Vinod Paul, Former Member, NITI Aayog; Dr. Silviane Pied, French
Attachée for Scientific and Academic Cooperation; Prof. Mridul Kumar Daga, Vice Chancellor, ILBS; and
Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, ILBS, besides leading clinicians, scientists and researchers from across
the country.Congratulating Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin for spearheading InFLiMeN, Dr. Jitendra Singh described the
initiative as a landmark national platform that has brought together scientific institutions, clinicians and
researchers to confront one of India's fastest-growing public health challenges. He said sustained scientific
collaboration, coupled with public participation, would be critical for reversing the growing burden of
liver and metabolic disorders.
The Minister said, India is witnessing a significant shift in the epidemiology of metabolic diseases.
Conditions that were once largely associated with middle-aged and elderly populations are now
increasingly being diagnosed among younger adults and even adolescents. This changing disease profile,
he said, demands a corresponding shift from curative healthcare towards prevention, early detection and
lifestyle modification.
Referring to India's unique metabolic profile, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the country's genetic predisposition,
higher prevalence of central obesity and distinct Indian phenotype make its population particularly
vulnerable to diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases, often even among individuals with
relatively lower Body Mass Index (BMI). These characteristics, he said, reinforce the need for Indian data,
Indian research and Indian solutions instead of relying solely on evidence generated elsewhere.
The Minister said the liver, despite being the body's most resilient and regenerative organ, is increasingly
coming under stress from unhealthy dietary habits, lifestyle factors, inappropriate sleep patterns, stressful
behaviour, and environmental pollution. Addressing these preventable causes, he said, must become an
integral part of India's public health strategy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed ILBS' efforts in creating a National Liver Biobank and stressed the
importance of developing affordable early diagnostic technologies, community-level screening tools and
indigenous biomarkers capable of identifying liver disease before irreversible damage occurs. Such
initiatives, he said, complement the Government's commitment to affordable, accessible and preventive
healthcare.
Calling for greater synergy across scientific institutions, the Minister said the country's expanding
biotechnology ecosystem, Genome Mission and large-scale gene sequencing programme offer
unprecedented opportunities to understand India's unique disease patterns. He said advances in
biotechnology, genomics and Artificial Intelligence are paving the way for precision medicine, enabling
treatments tailored to an individual's genetic profile, lifestyle and environmental exposure.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said scientific progress alone cannot overcome the challenge unless it is accompanied
by widespread public awareness and behavioural change. He called upon medical professionals,
researchers, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the media to work together in
promoting scientifically validated health practices and countering misinformation relating to nutrition,
obesity and lifestyle diseases.
Emphasising that a healthy population is fundamental to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Dr. Jitendra
Singh said reducing India's burden of diabetes and fatty liver disease is essential for preserving the
productivity, aspirations and potential of the country's young population. He said the success of such
efforts would not only strengthen public health but also enhance India's human capital and national
development.PHOTO: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh speaking during the 3rd anniversary of “Liver &
Metabolic Disease Network" (InFLiMeN), at Institute of Liver and Biliary Science (ILBS), New
Delhi on Saturday.*****
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