**Executive Summary**
The BioE3 policy establishes a strategic framework for high-performance biomanufacturing in India, identifying six key thematic verticals including climate-resilient agriculture and carbon capture. To bolster regional development, 10% of the "Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component" budget is earmarked for the North Eastern Region (NER). Key initiatives involve establishing "Moolankur BioEnablers" and state-specific BioE3 cells to support research, startups, and sustainable farming systems as of April 2, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Policy Framework and Thematic Areas**
* The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy promotes biomanufacturing across six areas: (i) Biobased chemicals/enzymes, (ii) Smart Proteins, (iii) Precision therapeutics, (iv) Climate resilient agriculture, (v) Carbon Capture and Utilization, and (vi) Marine and Space Research.
* Eleven calls for proposals have been announced under categories for integrated network research and scaling up existing processes.
**Infrastructure and Implementation**
* Initiatives include setting up "Moolankur BioEnablers," which comprise Biofoundries, Biomanufacturing Hubs, and Bio-Artificial Intelligence Hubs.
* The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) jointly implement these initiatives based on scientific merit and innovation.
* Projects are selected through open calls for proposals and "Mission Mode" operations.
**North Eastern Region (NER) Focus**
* 10% of the biomanufacturing budget is strictly reserved for projects in the NER.
* State BioE3 Cells have been notified in Assam and Sikkim to build state-specific ecosystems and Centre-State partnerships.
* A network proposal is currently supporting bio-based solutions for large cardamom cultivation in Sikkim to combat pests and pathogens.
**Active NER Projects**
* **Carbon Capture:** Projects in Arunachal Pradesh (millet-based agroforestry), Meghalaya (afforestation), and Assam (microalgae-based CO2 capture and CCUS from drill cuttings).
* **Sustainable Products:** Development of sustainable aviation fuel, biopesticides, and biofuel generation in Assam.
* **Agricultural Revitalization:** Biotechnological interventions for sustainable large cardamom cultivation in Sikkim.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Academia, Startups, and Industries**
**Impact**
These groups benefit from new opportunities to build biomanufacturing and biofoundry capacities through funding and infrastructure support.
**Action Required**
Submit proposals through open calls or mission mode categories, focusing on scientific merit, innovation, and scale.
**Stakeholders: North Eastern Region (NER) State Governments**
**Impact**
States like Assam and Sikkim receive specialized support through BioE3 cells and dedicated budgetary allocations to address local agricultural and environmental priorities.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with central departments to notify BioE3 cells and implement network proposals that address state-specific ecological challenges.
**Stakeholders: Research and Implementing Institutes (e.g., IITs, NITs, Central Universities)**
**Impact**
Institutes are designated as leads for high-tech projects involving carbon sequestration, microalgae research, and genomic interventions.
**Action Required**
Execute supported projects to develop, test, and scale bio-innovations such as disease-tolerant crop varieties and carbon utilization systems.
Key Entities Referenced
BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy: The national strategic framework for promoting high-performance biomanufacturing across thematic areas like bio-based chemicals and climate-resilient agriculture.
North Eastern Region (NER): The central geographic focus of the policy implementation, encompassing states like Assam and Sikkim, with a dedicated 10% budget earmarking for bio-innovation projects.
Department of Biotechnology: The primary department under the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for implementing the BioE3 policy and establishing state-specific BioE3 cells.
Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component: A specific mission-mode program component under which research infrastructure is scaled up and projects are funded through open calls for proposals.
Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): The public sector undertaking that jointly implements the policy initiatives to build biomanufacturing capacities for academia, startups, and industries.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Parliament Question: Green hydrogen and Bio-
manufacturing in NER
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 4:54PM by PIB Delhi
The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy of the Government of
India has laid down the strategic framework for promoting High Performance Biomanufacturing in the
country. The policy has identified six thematic areas viz. (i) Biobased chemicals, Biopolymers, APIs and
Enzymes; (ii) Smart Proteins and Functional foods; (iii) Precision therapeutics; (iv) Climate resilient
agriculture; (v) Carbon Capture and Utilization; and (vi) Marine and Space Research. Eleven calls for
proposals have been announced in these thematic areas of Biomanufacturing under the categories; a)
Discovery & Application-oriented Integrated Network Research and, b) Bridging the Gap for Scale up. In
order to augment research infrastructure for scale up across the six thematic verticals, initiatives have been
taken to set up the “मूलांकुर BioEnablers – Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs” including the Bio-
Artificial Intelligence Hubs across the country.
These initiatives are being implemented by Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of
Biotechnology jointly with its public sector undertaking, Biotechnology Research Assistance Council
(BIRAC) in a manner, to provide the opportunities to stakeholders from academia, start ups and industries;
for building Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry capacities across the country on the basis of scientific
merit, innovation element and scale of the process and products. The proposal under the
‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component’ are being taken up through open call for proposals and in
Mission Mode, while 10% of the budget under the component has been earmarked for the North Eastern
Region (NER).
Department is also strengthening Centre-State partnerships to establish the BioE3 cells for building
capacities in states to promote the state specific biomanufacturing ecosystem. Towards this, State BioE3
Cells have been notified by the respective state governments in two north-eastern states viz. Assam and
Sikkim. A Network proposal has been supported involving iBRIC Institutes and State Government of
Sikkim to develop and test, bio-based solutions in circumventing pest/pathogens of large cardamom and
develop new disease-tolerant varieties. The program also aims to utilize bio-innovations to address local
priorities and promote sustainable farming systems.
A list of projects supported under the ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component’ being implemented
in NER, is placed at Annexure I.
Annexure- I
List of projects being implemented in NER states under ‘Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Component.
S.Nm Project Titled NER State Implementing
Institute1. Exploring Carbon Capture and Utilization in Arunachal Central Agricultural
Millet-Based Agroforestry Systems: Enhancing Pradesh University, Manipur
Biomass and Soil Carbon through Microbial
Activity
2. Carbon Sequestration through Afforestation & Meghalaya Bio-Resources
Bioengineered Plant Systems Development Centre,
Shillong
3. Developing and demonstrating microalgae-based Assam Indian Institute of
CO capture and biomass valorization towards Technology ,
2
high-performance biomanufacturing of Guwahati
sustainable aviation fuel and biopesticide
Malaviya National
Institute of
Technology , Jaipur
4. Development of Genetically Engineered Assam National Institute of
Microalgae, Membrane-Based Photobioreactors Technology Silchar
and Microalgal-Derived Acid-Base Bifunctional
CSIR- Central Glass
Activated Biochar for Enhanced CO₂ Capture
and Ceramic Research
and Biofuel Generation: A Life Cycle Assessment
Institute, Kolkata
5. Integrated Biotechnological and Geochemical Assam Indian Institute of
Approach for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Technology ,
Storage (CCUS) and Valorization of Wasted Drill Guwahati
Cuttings using ACT and MICP
Dibrugarh University,
Assam
6. Biotechnological interventions for revitalizing Sikkim Sikkim State Council
sustainable large Cardamom (Amomum of Science &
subulatum Roxb.) cultivation Technology
Institute of
Bioresources and
Sustainable
Development, Imphal
and other National
Institutions
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &
Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April 2026.
****
NKR/JKP/SG(Release ID: 2248439) Visitor Counter : 112
Read this release in: ही