**Executive Summary**
On March 23, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh presented the outcomes of the GARBH-INi initiative, India’s largest pregnancy cohort study involving 12,000 women. The program aims to reduce preterm births and neonatal mortality using indigenous AI-driven solutions and a vast repository of 1.6 million biospecimens. The next phase focuses on the effective utilization of developed tools and predictive models to support India’s 2047 health and productivity goals.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Research Scope and Data Foundation**
* Enrolled approximately 12,000 pregnant women, establishing one of South Asia's largest pregnancy cohorts.
* Generated a repository of 1.6 million well-characterised biospecimens and over one million ultrasound images.
* Utilized a data-driven approach integrating clinical epidemiology, multi-omics biomarkers, and artificial intelligence.
**Scientific and Technological Outcomes**
* Developed AI-based pregnancy dating models specifically tailored for the Indian population.
* Identified microbiome-based predictors, genetic markers, and rapid diagnostic tools for early risk assessment of preterm births.
* Launched the GARBH-INi DRISHTI data-sharing platform and a national biorepository to enable wider research access.
**Industrial Partnerships and Technology Transfer**
* Transferred microbiome-based biotherapeutics technology to Sundyota Numandis Probioceuticals Pvt. Ltd.
* Signed Letters of Intent with DOTO Health Private Limited and Qure.ai Technologies for AI-enabled ultrasound reporting and risk stratification.
* Formalized the GARBH-INi-AnandiMaa initiative to link cutting-edge research with primary healthcare.
**Impact Analysis**
**Healthcare Researchers and Scientists**
**Impact**
They gain access to a massive national biorepository and the DRISHTI data-sharing platform, facilitating advanced research and global scientific publications.
**Action Required**
Engage in deeper analysis of outcomes and utilize the established tools and predictive models to take the initiative forward.
**Private Sector Health-Tech Companies**
**Impact**
Companies like Sundyota Numandis, DOTO Health, and Qure.ai receive indigenous technology transfers and formal partnerships to develop commercial diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
**Action Required**
Implement transferred technologies to develop AI-enabled ultrasound systems and microbiome-based biotherapeutics.
**The Indian Population (Maternal and Child Health)**
**Impact**
Expectant mothers and neonates benefit from improved birth outcomes and personalized medical interventions suited to Indian conditions, reducing the burden of preterm births.
**Action Required**
No direct action required other than continued participation in cohort studies where applicable.
**Government and Policy Bodies (DBT, NITI Aayog)**
**Impact**
These bodies successfully link scientific research with the national "India 2047" vision, fostering a bioeconomy that grew to 195 billion USD.
**Action Required**
Focus on stronger collaborations and the effective deployment of developed tools in primary and preventive healthcare settings.
Key Entities Referenced
GARBH-INi (Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes): An initiative involving India's largest pregnancy cohort study of 12,000 women to develop indigenous, AI-driven solutions and multi-omics biomarkers for predicting preterm births.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT): The primary government department under the Ministry of Science & Technology responsible for launching and overseeing the GARBH-INi initiative.
GARBH-INi DRISHTI: A specialized data-sharing platform established to enable wider access for the research community to the initiative's vast repository of biospecimens and ultrasound images.
GARBH-INi-AnandiMaa: A specific initiative focused on developing AI-enabled ultrasound reporting systems and risk stratification platforms to improve maternal health outcomes.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India’s largest pregnancy cohort study of 12,000
women to develop AI-driven solutions for
preterm births: Dr. Jitendra Singh
GARBH-INi to strengthen India’s fight against preterm births
through AI and indigenous research: Dr. Jitendra Singh
India developing indigenous AI tools for early prediction of
preterm births, says Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
GARBH-INi integrates science, technology, and healthcare for
improved birth outcomes: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Science-led maternal health interventions under GARBH-INi
link cutting-edge research with India’s 2047 vision: Dr.
Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 23 MAR 2026 4:24PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that
India’s largest pregnancy cohort study of 12,000 women under the GARBH-INi initiative is aimed at
developing indigenous, AI-driven solutions to address preterm births, one of the leading causes of
neonatal mortality as well morbidity in adulthood.
The Minister was addressing the programme on “Disseminating Learnings and Outcomes of GARBH-INi
(Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes)”, a Department of Biotechnology
(DBT) initiative, at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event was attended by Secretary, Biotechnology,
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale; Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Paul; Executive Director, THSTI, Dr. Ganesan
Karthikeyan, along with leading scientists and researchers.
Focusing on the GARBH-INi initiative, the Minister said that India carries a significant share of the global
burden of preterm births, making it essential to develop solutions suited to Indian conditions. He said the
programme represents a comprehensive, data-driven approach integrating clinical epidemiology, multi-
omics biomarkers, and artificial intelligence for personalised predictions.
The Minister said the initiative has successfully enrolled around 12,000 pregnant women, creating one of
South Asia’s largest pregnancy cohorts. The programme has generated a vast repository of over 1.6
million well-characterised biospecimens and more than one million ultrasound images, forming a strong
foundation for advanced research.Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the outcomes of the programme include developing AI-based pregnancy dating
models tailored for Indian populations, identification of microbiome-based predictors of preterm birth,
rapid diagnostic tools, and genetic markers for early risk assessment. He added that such indigenous
solutions are critical for improving maternal and child health outcomes in the country.
The Minister released a compendium documenting the key learnings and outcomes of the GARBH-INi
programme. He said the initiative has also established a national biorepository and the GARBH-INi-
DRISHTI data-sharing platform, enabling wider access for the research community and contributing to
global scientific publications.
On the occasion, key partnerships and technology transfer initiatives were formalised, including transfer
of microbiome-based biotherapeutics technology to SundyotaNumandisProbioceuticalsPvt. Ltd., and
Letters of Intent with DOTO Health Private Limited and Qure.ai Technologies Private Limited for AI-
enabled ultrasound reporting systems and risk stratification platforms under the GARBH-INi-AnandiMaa
initiative. The Minister also felicitated participating families for their contribution to scientific research.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that maternal and child health is central to India’s future growth, adding that the
children born today will define the country’s strength and productivity in 2047. He said initiatives like
GARBH-INi are part of a larger national mission linking science with long-term nation-building.
Referring to India’s bioeconomy growth from nearly 10 billion USD in 2014 to about 195 billion USD,
the Minister said that biotechnology has played a leading role in this expansion. He said India is now
being recognised globally for its strengths in preventive and primary healthcare, supported by indigenous
innovations.
Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said that the next phase of the programme should focus on
effectively utilising the tools, predictive models and platforms developed so far. He emphasised the need
for continued scientific efforts, stronger collaborations, and deeper analysis of outcomes to take the
initiative forward.
Concluding, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that by strengthening maternal and child health through science-
driven initiatives like GARBH-INi, India is shaping a healthier, more productive generation and laying a
strong foundation for a developed India by 2047.
PHOTO: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressing an event on “Disseminating Learnings and
Outcomes of GARBH-INi (Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes)”, at
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on Monday.*****
AK/MJ/NM
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