Life Sciences & Biotechnology: Care, Inclusion and Frontier Innovation
The Union Budget strengthens India’s life sciences ecosystem by combining biotech manufacturing, affordable biologics, skilled caregiving, traditional medicine modernisation and inclusive innovation—addressing demographic change, healthcare demand and economic opportunity through science-led, people-centric interventions.
Biologics & Biosimilars: Strengthening India’s Biotech Manufacturing Base
Domestic Biologics Manufacturing Ecosystem
- Expansion of indigenous production capabilities for:
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Vaccines
- Recombinant proteins
- Cell and gene therapies
- Focus on reducing import dependence and improving affordability
- Industry–academia linkages and biotech park integration
Technology Transfer & Global Partnerships
- Collaboration with global biotech innovators
- Access to advanced manufacturing know-how
- Accelerated scale-up of complex biologics
Biosimilars Development
- Objective:
- Affordable biologic medicines for Indian and global markets
- Market Opportunity:
- Global biosimilars market projected to exceed USD 100 billion
- Strategic Advantage:
- India’s regulatory experience and cost-efficient manufacturing
Care Ecosystem Development: 1.5 Lakh Multiskilled Caregivers
Demographic Context
- India’s elderly population:
- 140 million aged 60+ by 2025
- Projected 340 million by 2050
- Rising demand for structured geriatric and home healthcare services
Training Target
- 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers
- NSQF-aligned, industry-relevant programmes
Core Care Competencies
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assistance
- Medication management
- Vital signs monitoring
- Infection control and hygiene
- Emergency response and first aid
- Patient mobility and transfer techniques
Allied & Wellness Skills
- Preventive healthcare and wellness
- Yoga therapy for chronic conditions
- Medical device operation:
- Glucometers
- Blood pressure monitors
- Oxygen concentrators
- Assistive technology use
- Nutrition and dietary support
- Basics of palliative, mental health and dementia care
Employment Potential
- Home healthcare market valued at USD 6.2 billion (2024)
- Growing at 19% CAGR
- Monthly earnings of ₹15,000–30,000
- Significant livelihood creation for women in semi-urban and rural regions
AYUSH: Traditional Medicine Anchored in Modern Science
New Institutional Infrastructure
- Establishment of 3 new All India Institutes of Ayurveda
- Advanced education in:
- Ayurvedic pharmacology and toxicology
- Evidence-based practice
- Clinical research methodologies
- Integrative medicine approaches
AYUSH Pharmacies & Testing Labs Upgrade
- Higher certification and quality standards through:
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Advanced analytical testing (HPLC, GC-MS, spectroscopy)
- Heavy metal and pesticide residue analysis
- Microbial contamination testing
- Standardisation of herbal formulations and classical preparations
WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, Jamnagar
- Upgradation focus:
- Evidence-based research protocols
- Clinical trial designs for complex traditional interventions
- Safety and efficacy validation
- Traditional medicine knowledge repositories
- International collaboration and practitioner training
Scientific & Market Significance
- Global herbal medicine market exceeds USD 130 billion
- Annual growth rate of ~8%
- Opportunity for India to expand market share through quality-certified AYUSH products
- Proven pharmacological compounds:
- Curcumin
- Ashwagandha
- Gymnemic acid
Divyangjan Empowerment: Skills, Technology and Inclusion
Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana
- Customised, industry-relevant skill training in:
- IT and AVGC sectors
- Hospitality
- Food and Beverages
- Focus on:
- Task-oriented roles
- Process-driven employment
- Assistive technology integration
Divyang Sahara Yojana
- Strengthening ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India):
- Scaling production of assistive devices
- Investment in R&D and AI-enabled solutions
- Advanced prosthetics
- 3D-printed, customised devices
PM DivyashaKendras Enhancement
- Modern, retail-style Assistive Technology Marts
- Features:
- Try-before-buy facilities
- Device customisation
- Maintenance and repair services
Veterinary Science & High-Value Bio-Resources
Veterinary Science Expansion
- Scaling training for 20,000+ professionals
- Infrastructure development:
- Veterinary colleges
- Hospitals
- Diagnostic laboratories
- Integration across:
- Animal husbandry
- Dairy
- Poultry sectors
High-Value Crop & Bio-Resource Diversification
- Focus areas:
- Agar trees (agarwood/oud)
- Sandalwood cultivation and processing
- Medicinal plants
- Aromatic crops
- Ecosystem development:
- Scientific cultivation
- Processing infrastructure
- Market linkages
Together, these measures integrate care, biotechnology and inclusion, positioning life sciences as a cornerstone of India’s health security, employment generation and innovation-driven growth.
– Dr Srinayani Kavuri
