**Executive Summary**
The document outlines various initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to advance personalized medicine. These initiatives, primarily funded and implemented by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Department of Health Research (DHR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), focus on genomics, precision diagnostics, biotherapeutics, and ethical research guidelines. It highlights efforts to improve health outcomes through research, development, and the provision of advanced technologies.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Genomics and Biobanking**
* GenomeIndia has completed whole genome sequencing (WGS) of over 10,000 Indians.
* The Phenome India National Biobank has been launched at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology to collect genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data.
* DBT supports the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS) to catalogue TB drug resistance mutations.
**Biotherapeutics and R&D**
* DBT's BioE3 Policy supports R&D and manufacturing of indigenous mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, and cell/gene therapies.
* The Department of Pharmaceuticals implements the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP), providing financial assistance for R&D projects.
* ICMR promotes indigenous innovation by supporting high-risk, high-reward R&D and complements with facilities like mPRAGATI at IIT Delhi.
**Diagnostic Services and Initiatives**
* DHR's DIAMOnDS Scheme provides free advanced molecular oncology diagnostic services to poor lung/breast cancer patients via 25 centers.
* The Department of Biotechnology's UMMID initiative launched NIDAN Kendras for prenatal testing, newborn screening, and genetic counseling of at-risk pregnant mothers.
* DHR supports cost-effective studies for affordable advanced technology through its Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) Attached Office.
**Ethical Framework and Guidelines**
* ICMR shapes India's ethical framework for advanced biomedical technologies by issuing national ethical guidelines.
* ICMR supports regulatory handholding and clinical trials through initiatives like MedTech Mitra, Patent Mitra and Clinical Trial Network – INTENT.
**Impact Analysis**
**Patients**
* **Impact:** Patients, particularly those from poor and needy backgrounds suffering from lung and breast cancer, gain access to free advanced molecular oncology diagnostic services. They also benefit from advanced and targeted therapies.
* **Action Required:** None mentioned.
**Researchers and Academia**
* **Impact:** Researchers and academia receive funding and support for R&D in biotherapeutics, genomics, and other areas of personalized medicine. They are also provided with platforms for translating research into practical applications.
* **Action Required:** Undertake and propose R&D in priority areas.
**Industry (Pharma and MedTech)**
* **Impact:** Industries, MSMEs and start-ups receive financial assistance for R&D projects, supporting the development of new medicines, complex generics/biosimilars, and medical devices.
* **Action Required:** Leverage PRIP schemes to strengthen research, development and commercialisation.
**Pregnant Women and Families at Risk of Genetic Disorders**
* **Impact:** Pregnant women and families gain access to genetic counseling, prenatal testing, and newborn screening to tackle genetic disorders.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the UMMID initiative and utilize NIDAN Kendras for clinical care and counseling.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Plays a central role in shaping India's ethical environment for advanced biomedical technologies and promoting indigenous innovation through research and development.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT): Funds GENOMEINDIA, supports the BioE3 Policy (precision biotherapeutics), the UMMID Initiative (genetic disorders), and the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium (InTGS).
DHR-ICMR Advanced Molecular Oncology Diagnostic Services (DIAMOnDS) Scheme: Implemented by the Department of Health Research (DHR), provides free advanced molecular oncopathology diagnostic services for cancer patients.
BioE3 Policy: A policy focused on precision biotherapeutics, including R&D and manufacturing of indigenous mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, and cell/gene therapies.
UMMID Initiative: A Department of Biotechnology initiative to tackle genetic disorders via prenatal testing, newborn screening, and counseling for at-risk pregnant mothers, establishing NIDAN Kendras.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps taken for advancing personalized
medicine
GenomeIndia completes WGS database of 10,000+ Indians
across all major groups, boosting health, science, and
sustainable development
State-of-the-Art Phenome National Biobank launched at
CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New
Delhi for nationwide cohort study with 10,000 individuals'
genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data
DBT's BioE3 Policy spotlights precision biotherapeutics:
funding R&D and manufacturing of indigenous mRNA
therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, and cell/gene therapies
for affordable health gains
Department of Biotechnology’s UMMID Initiative Launches
NIDAN Kendras to Tackle Genetic Disorders via Prenatal
Testing, Newborn Screening, and Counseling for At-Risk
Pregnant Mothers
Leveraging Genomics and AI, Indian Tuberculosis Genomic
Surveillance Consortium programme (InTGS), Catalogues TB
Drug Resistance Mutations, Enabling Faster Detection and
Evidence-Based Control and management Strategies
DHR's DIAMOnDS Scheme Delivers Free Advanced
Molecular Diagnostics to Poor Lung/Breast Cancer Patients
via 25 Centers, Boosting Precision Treatments; HTAIn
Ensures Cost-Effective Tech Integration, ICMR Drives High-
Risk Indigenous R&D and mPRAGATI Innovation
ICMR Shapes India's Ethical Framework for AdvancedBiomedical Tech with National Guidelines on Research,
Biobanking, Genomics, Sample Analysis, and Gene Therapy
Development
Posted On: 06 FEB 2026 5:28PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India has undertaken various initiatives on advanced, personalized medicine including
genomics, precision diagnostics and targeted therapies.
The ‘GENOMEINDIA’, funded by the Department of Biotechnology of the Central Government has
completed whole genome sequencing (WGS) database of over 10,000 individuals representing all major
population groups, across the country. GenomeIndia data represents Government of India's commitment
to scientific inquiry and is poised to reshape health and science in India and beyond, fostering sustainable
development through democratizing and disseminating this national genetic resource knowledge.
Ministry of Science and Technology has also launched the state-of-the-art Phenome India ‘National
Biobank’ at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi. The Biobank aims to
serve as the backbone of a nationwide cohort study, collecting comprehensive genomic, lifestyle, and
clinical data from 10 thousand individuals across the country.
Department of Biotechnology has informed that under the BioE3 Policy, it has identified Precision
Biotherapeutics as one of the thematic areas. Under this thematic area, DBT facilitates R&D, and
manufacturing of indigenous mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies and Cell and Gene Therapies,
by industry and academia, as cost effective solutions for improved health outcomes. The support
traverses discovery and application oriented research to bridging the gap for scale up.
As reported by the Department of Biotechnology, Unique Methods for Management of Inherited
Disorders (UMMID) initiative was started by them to address the burden of genetic disorders in the
country. One of the components of the UMMID initiative is establishing NIDAN Kendras (National
Inherited Disorders Administration Kendras) for providing clinical care broadly encompassing the
activities of prenatal testing for genetic disorders, newborn screening for relatively common treatable
genetic metabolic disorders, and genetic counseling of pregnant mothers carrying fetuses with high risk
of genetic disorder.
Further, DBT supports Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium programme (InTGS)
aiming to catalogue the existing and emerging drug resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The initiative aims to leverage genomics and artificial intelligence for a faster and more comprehensive
detection of drug resistance and support evidence-based strategies for more effective TB control and
management.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals implements the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation
in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) to strengthen research and innovation by supporting projects across
the innovation lifecycle from early research to product development and commercialisation. The PRIP
scheme provides for disbursement of financial assistance to industries, MSMEs, start-ups for eligible
R&D projects for the development or expeditious validation of new medicines; complex generics and
biosimilars; and novel medical devices in identified priority areas taken up either in-house or in
collaboration with the academia.
The Department of Health Research (DHR) has implemented the DHR-ICMR Advanced Molecular
Oncology Diagnostic Services (DIAMOnDS) Scheme, with the aim of providing free of cost advanced
molecular oncopathology diagnostic services to the poor and needy lung and breast cancer patients.
Through its network of 25 DIAMOnDS centres across the country, the scheme aims to facilitatebiomarker based precision and personalized treatment to the cancer patients. Moreover, through its
Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) Attached Office, DHR supports cost-effective studies
for affordable advanced technology and their integration into National Health Programmes.
DHR through Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) promotes indigenous innovation by
supporting high-risk, high-reward R&D to translate new diagnostics, drugs, biologics and medical
devices from proof-of-concept to product development, including patient-specific and targeted therapies.
This is complemented by national facilities such as mPRAGATI at IIT Delhi for precision design,
fabrication, testing and validation.
Further DHR through its Human Resource Development (HRD) scheme supports capacity building in
health research including personalised medicine and advanced technologies. ICMR through its pioneer
initiatives like MedTech Mitra, Patent Mitra and Clinical Trial Network – INTENT supports regulatory
handholding and clinical trials respectively. This support system is assisting quick translation of useful
products and tools for betterment of health of the people.
ICMR has played a central role in shaping India’s environment for ethical research on advanced
biomedical technologies by issuing national ethical guidelines governing biomedical research,
biobanking, genomic data use, and secondary analysis of clinical samples and by co-developing national
guidelines for gene therapy product development and oversight, providing a facilitatory pathway for
advanced and targeted therapies.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written
reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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HFW/ Steps taken for advancing personalized medicine/6 February 2026/3
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