Scientific Research and Technological Innovation
India is making rapid progress in the fields of biotechnology and supercomputers
Biotechnology has played a transformative role in reshaping India’s scientific and technological landscape, contributing to advancements in healthcare, agriculture, industry, and environmental sustainability. Biotechnology is integral to India’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-driven economy. By addressing societal challenges through innovation, biotechnology is helping to shape a sustainable and inclusive future. Following are key highlights of the biotechnology impact in India’s scientific landscape:
Advancements in Healthcare: India has emerged as a global hub for vaccine production and generic drugs. Biotechnological innovations enabled the development of affordable vaccines. Initiatives like GenomeIndia to construct a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations for India’s population have enhanced our understanding of genetic diseases, paving the way for precision medicine. Biotech startups have developed rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tools, such as RT-PCR kits for COVID-19, improving healthcare delivery.
Revolutionizing Agriculture: The introduction of BT cotton significantly boosted India’s agricultural productivity by enhancing pest resistance. Biofertilizers and Biopesticides technologies have promoted sustainable farming practices through eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Techniques like tissue culture and marker-assisted selection are being used to develop high-yield, drought-resistant, and disease-resistant crop varieties.
Environmental Sustainability: Biotechnology has enabled the cleanup of pollutants using microorganisms to restore contaminated environments. Conversion of organic waste into compost or energy is gaining momentum in India. India’s push towards renewable energy includes advancements in biofuels, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Startups and Innovation: India’s biotech ecosystem has flourished with the emergence of startups supported by Government initiatives like Make in India, and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) supported Public-private partnerships programs. Various funding opportunities have propelled biotech research, bringing India closer to becoming a global biotech hub.
Scientific advancements have significantly improved the quality of life for the general public, particularly in areas such as healthcare and agriculture. These fields have seen transformative changes that have enhanced accessibility, affordability, and efficiency. Scientific advancements in healthcare and agriculture have had a profound positive impact on society, addressing critical issues like food security and health equity.
In the healthcare sector, improved disease diagnosis and treatment, vaccine development, production of generic drugs etc. has made essential medicines more affordable. Public health campaigns backed by scientific research, such as sanitation drives (e.g., Swachh Bharat mission) and vaccination programs, have reduced disease burden. Advances in neonatal care, fertility treatments, and maternal health monitoring have significantly reduced infant and maternal mortality rates.
In the agriculture sector, the Green Revolution introduced high-yielding crop varieties, significantly boosting food production. Crops like Bt cotton have improved pest resistance and reduced dependence on chemical pesticides. Drought-resistant and flood-tolerant crops developed through biotechnology help farmers cope with climate change. Biofertilizers and biopesticides promote eco-friendly farming, reducing soil and water pollution. Organic farming techniques, supported by scientific advancements, cater to the growing demand for healthy and sustainable food. Scientific interventions like crop insurance, mobile apps for weather forecasting, and digital platforms for selling produce ensure better income and reduced risk for farmers. Advances in cold storage, food processing, and preservation technologies have minimized waste and extended the shelf life of agricultural produce.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) continues to drive transformative initiatives, through support to biotechnology research & development programs, research resources, scientific infrastructure, and human resource & skill development programs. DBT- Biotechnology Research Innovation Council (BRIC) institutions focus on cutting-edge research and innovation by advancing programs in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental biotechnology.
These efforts are fostering a robust ecosystem for biotechnological innovation, effectively bridging the gap between scientific research and societal benefits, and ensuring that advancements in biotechnology contribute to India’s inclusive and sustainable development.
Equally noteworthy is the fact that the Department of Science and Technology (DST) jointly with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is implementing a National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) to create supercomputing infrastructure and related human resource development (HRD) in the country.
Through NSM, the Government has created 33 supercomputing systems with a total capacity of 32 Peta Flop across the nation at 24 locations. HRD activities in this area are steered through five training centres at Pune, Kharagpur, Chennai, Palakkad, and Goa to expand the awareness and familiarization of supercomputing with college students and researchers.
So far more than 20,000 people are trained through the supercomputing training programs.
DST is implementing a National Quantum Mission (NQM) wherein four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) have been established in the country including one in the area of quantum computing. The major mandates of the T-Hubs include technology development, human resource development, entrepreneurship development and international collaborations in their respective technology verticals.
The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) in various institutes across the country in advanced technology verticals including in the areas of quantum computing and related areas.
NQM objectives include developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
Supercomputers are housed in various institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (Gandhinagar, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Mandi, Palakkad, Roorkee, Varanasi), National Institute of Technology, Trichy, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, Pune, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research(JNCASR), Bengaluru, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali(NABI), Mohali, Inter-University Accelerator Centre(IUAC), Delhi, National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, (NCRA), Pune, Society for Electronic Transactions and Security, (SETS), Chennai, National Informatics Centre, Delhi and various centres of C-DAC at Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi. These supercomputing systems offer a total computing power of 32 Peta Flop.
NSM has planned to expand the number of supercomputers to select institutions including IITs with more compute power including 20 Peta Flop systems.
An amount of Rs.1874 crore has been allocated / utilized to develop and provide the supercomputing facility for research and other allied areas. This includes funds for infrastructure creation, undertaking R&D in applied areas, applications, HRD and for mission management.
In sum, scientific advancements have made broader impacts for the general public in the form of improved nutrition, economic growth, enhanced quality of life, empowerment through technology.
