Content
- Shaping India’s Next Frontiers in Science Through Biomedical Research Careers
- DRAVYA” Portal to Catalogue 100 Ayush Substances in First Phase
Shaping India’s Next Frontiers in Science Through Biomedical Research Careers
Context and Background
- Biomedical research integrates biological, medical, and technological sciences to improve healthcare outcomes through innovation in drugs, diagnostics, devices, and therapies.
- India’s biomedical sector is a key driver of its bioeconomy, contributing to public health, innovation, and self-reliance.
- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, has been central in developing India’s biomedical ecosystem aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swasth Bharat, and Make in India.
- To institutionalize world-class biomedical careers, DBT and Wellcome Trust (UK) launched the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) in 2008–09 via the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (SPV).
Relevance:
- GS II – Governance & Social Justice:
Institutional framework for biomedical research governance
Gender and regional inclusion in science (BioCARe, Tier-2/3 outreach)
Indo–UK scientific collaboration and policy partnership - GS III – Science & Technology / Health / Economy:
Promotion of indigenous biomedical innovation and translational R&D
Strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swasth Bharat through research ecosystems
Human capital development and contribution to India’s bioeconomy
Evolution of BRCP
| Phase | Years | Focus | Achievements |
| Phase I | 2008–09 to 2017–18 | Establishing fellowships, building scientific capacity | Laid foundation for ethical, competitive research careers in India |
| Phase II | 2018–19 to 2024–25 | Expanding grants, attracting global talent | ₹2,388 crore invested, 721 grants, 90 international recognitions |
| Phase III | 2025–26 to 2030–31 (service till 2037–38) | Scaling up India’s biomedical capacity, inclusivity, innovation | ₹1,500 crore total outlay, targets 2,000+ researchers and TRL-4+ innovations |
Key Features of BRCP Phase-III
- Financial Outlay: ₹1,500 crore (DBT: ₹1,000 crore + Wellcome Trust: ₹500 crore).
- Implementation Period:
- Active Phase: 2025–26 to 2030–31.
- Servicing Phase: 2031–32 to 2037–38 for ongoing projects.
- Target Outcomes:
- Train 2,000+ researchers and post-docs.
- Achieve high-impact publications and patentable innovations.
- Push 25–30% projects to TRL-4 and above (prototype validation).
- 10–15% more support for women scientists.
- Broaden outreach to Tier-2/3 research institutions.
Strategic Objectives
- Build world-class biomedical research ecosystems in basic, clinical, and public health domains.
- Attract global talent to Indian institutions.
- Promote interdisciplinary and translational research (lab-to-life).
- Strengthen research management and regulatory frameworks.
- Reduce regional disparities in scientific capacity.
- Foster ethical, inclusive, and transparent research culture.
Structure and Programmes
(a) Fellowship Categories
- Early Career & Intermediate Fellowships:
Support for promising young scientists in basic, clinical, and public health research. - Collaborative Grants:
- Career Development Grants and Catalytic Collaborative Grants for team-based research.
- Encourage partnerships between 2–3 investigators, bridging institutions.
- Research Management Programme:
Builds administrative and technical capabilities in research institutions.
(b) Capacity-Building Components
- Mentorship and networking opportunities.
- National and international collaborations.
- Training in science administration and regulatory affairs.
- Emphasis on diversity and inclusivity.
Alignment with National Visions
- Directly linked to Viksit Bharat 2047—aiming for a globally competitive research ecosystem.
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat through domestic innovation in diagnostics, drugs, and devices.
- Advances Swasth Bharat via disease prevention, early diagnosis, and affordable healthcare.
- Contributes to Startup India through biotech entrepreneurship and translational R&D.
Impact Achievements from Previous Phases
(a) COVID-19 Response
- Supported 70+ projects including 10 vaccine candidates, 34 diagnostics, and 10 therapeutics.
- Strengthened national emergency biomedical response capacity.
(b) dbGENVOC – World’s First Oral Cancer Variant Database
- Developed by DBT–NIBMG with 24 million variants from Indian patients.
- Enables genetic research for oral cancer (India’s most common male cancer).
(c) National AMR Mission
- Collaboration with WHO using One Health Approach.
- Created AMR pathogen priority list, national bio-repository, and AMR R&D partnerships.
(d) Biorepositories and Clinical Trial Networks
- Established across India for translational research and data sharing.
- Accelerated lab-to-market pathways for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Women in Biomedical Research
- BioCARe Programme: First independent research grants for women scientists.
- Janaki Ammal Award: Recognizes excellence in biomedical research.
- BIRAC WInER Awards & Bioincubators: Support women-led biotech startups.
- Women Leaders in Global Health Conference: Global platform for collaboration and leadership.
Priority Research Domains
| Focus Area | Key Initiatives | Expected Outcomes |
| Human Genetics & Genomics | GenomeIndia (10,000 genomes), UMMID | Personalized & predictive medicine |
| Infectious Disease Biology | HIV, TB, malaria, dengue, COVID-19 | National biobanks, epidemic preparedness |
| Vaccines | Indo-US Vaccine Action Programme | ROTAVAC®, Covaxin, TB & dengue vaccines |
| Diagnostics & Devices | CRISPR kits, RT-PCR, affordable devices | Self-reliance in diagnostics |
| Therapeutics & Drug Repurposing | Repurpose existing drugs | Faster, cost-effective treatments |
| Biomedical Engineering & Biodesign | Indigenous implants, devices | Reduced import dependency |
| Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine | Tissue & cell-based therapy | New-age solutions for chronic diseases |
| Maternal & Child Health | GARBH-ini project | Reduced infant mortality, improved maternal health |
| Marine & Aquaculture Biotechnology | Fish vaccines, nutraceuticals | Marine-derived drugs, health supplements |
| Public Health & Nutrition | AMR, NCDs, malnutrition | Strengthened public health & preventive care |
Expected Macro-Level Outcomes
- Human Capital: 2,000+ trained scientists and research managers.
- Innovation Output: Increased patents, TRL-4+ products, global collaborations.
- Gender Equity: Higher women representation in leadership and research roles.
- Economic Impact: Strengthened bioeconomy through biotech startups and indigenization.
- Health System Strengthening: Affordable, evidence-based solutions for national health priorities.
Global Relevance
- Reinforces India–UK scientific diplomacy and South–South cooperation.
- Showcases India as a biomedical innovation hub for developing nations.
- Builds research credibility through open data and ethical frameworks.
Challenges Ahead
- Bridging infrastructure and funding gaps across Tier-2/3 institutions.
- Retaining talent against global research migration.
- Ensuring ethical compliance and data protection in biomedical research.
- Translating academic breakthroughs into commercial solutions effectively.
Conclusion
- BRCP Phase-III represents a strategic Indo-UK partnership to transform India’s biomedical research into a globally competitive, inclusive, and innovation-driven enterprise.
- It integrates capacity building, inclusivity, translational innovation, and public health priorities—anchored to Viksit Bharat 2047.
- With initiatives like GenomeIndia, dbGENVOC, and AMR Mission, India is transitioning from a knowledge consumer to a global knowledge producer in life sciences.
- The programme is expected to catalyze health security, economic growth, and global leadership in biomedical innovation.
“DRAVYA” Portal to Catalogue 100 Ayush Substances in First Phase
Basic Context
- DRAVYA stands for Digitised Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of Ayush.
- It is an AI-ready digital portal launched by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of Ayush.
- Objective: To digitize, unify, and standardize information on medicinal substances used in Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy).
- Launched during the 10th Ayurveda Day (23 September 2025, Goa) — themed around the digital transformation of traditional medicine.
Relevance:
- GS II – Governance & Social Justice:
Digital governance under Ministry of Ayush for transparency and access
Integration of traditional knowledge with modern policymaking
Institutional strengthening through CCRAS and Ayush Grid - GS III – Science & Technology / Health:
AI-enabled digitization and standardization of Ayush substances
Evidence-based validation of traditional medicine systems
Contribution to Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047 through health-tech innovation
Core Objective and Vision
- Create a comprehensive open-access digital repository of Ayush medicinal substances.
- Integrate classical Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific data for global use.
- Establish a credible, evidence-based knowledge platform to strengthen scientific validation and international collaboration in traditional medicine.
Implementation: Phase I
- Scope: Catalogue 100 key medicinal substances in the first phase.
- Dynamic Updating: Continuous data input through a dedicated entry software ensuring precision and authenticity.
- Developed by: CCRAS (an autonomous body under Ministry of Ayush).
- Future Expansion: Will progressively cover a larger range of Ayush substances and formulations.
Technological and Structural Features
- AI-Ready Architecture: Enables integration with future artificial intelligence tools for predictive analytics, cross-referencing, and data mining.
- Integration:
- Linked to the Ayush Grid, India’s central digital health mission for traditional systems.
- Will connect with other Ministry of Ayush databases on drug policy, medicinal plants, and pharmacopoeias.
- QR Code Integration:
- Standardized QR codes will be installed in medicinal plant gardens and drug repositories across India.
- Enables users to scan and instantly access verified digital profiles of substances.
- User Interface: Designed to be intuitive, modular, and multilingual, ensuring accessibility for researchers, students, and practitioners.
Data Coverage and Content
The portal consolidates data from:
- Classical Ayurvedic Texts: Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, etc.
- Modern Research Databases: PubMed, pharmacopoeias, botanical and chemical datasets.
- Key Information Domains:
- Ayurvedic pharmacotherapeutics (uses, dosages, formulations)
- Botanical identification and taxonomy
- Chemical constituents and pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical standards and safety profiles
- Toxicity, drug interactions, and quality control data
Institutional and Policy Context
- Nodal Agency: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).
- Supported by: Ministry of Ayush.
- Part of Broader Initiatives:
- Ayush Grid: Digital integration of Ayush education, clinical, research, and drug sectors.
- Evidence-Based Ayush Research Policy: For enhancing credibility and standardization of Ayush systems.
- National Ayush Mission: Strengthening Ayush infrastructure and mainstreaming traditional medicine.
Leadership Statements (Indicative Significance)
- Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav:
- Called DRAVYA “the living embodiment of India’s knowledge tradition in a contemporary form.”
- Emphasized blending of traditional wisdom with modern technology for global innovation.
- Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha:
- Highlighted the portal as a scientific and globally accessible resource, integrating classical and contemporary knowledge.
- Director General (CCRAS) Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya:
- Positioned DRAVYA as a cornerstone for researchers, practitioners, and students, enabling pharmacopoeial harmonisation and evidence-based validation of Ayush drugs.
Strategic Significance
- Scientific Validation: Strengthens the evidence base of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems, aligning them with modern research methodologies.
- Global Credibility: Positions India as a knowledge leader in traditional medicine and integrative health research.
- Cross-Disciplinary Innovation: Bridges Ayurveda with pharmacology, chemistry, AI, and data science.
- Policy Utility: Aids drug regulators, policymakers, and pharmacopoeial committees with authenticated data.
- Public Engagement: Enhances transparency, accessibility, and trust in traditional medicine.
Expected Outcomes
- Creation of a verified, standardized, and dynamic digital repository of medicinal substances.
- Promotion of research collaboration between Ayush scholars, biomedical scientists, and data technologists.
- Facilitation of drug discovery and formulation modernization using AI-enabled data analytics.
- Strengthened pharmacopoeial harmonization across different Ayush systems.
- Enhanced international trade and recognition of Indian traditional medicines through data transparency.
Broader Policy Relevance
- Digital Public Infrastructure for Health: Contributes to India’s digital health ecosystem under Ayush Grid and Digital India Mission.
- Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision: Aligns with the goal of transforming India into a global innovation and wellness hub.
- Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine: Supports WHO’s strategy (2025–2034) for integrating traditional medicine into national health systems.
Challenges Ahead
- Ensuring data standardization and authenticity across multiple classical sources.
- Balancing traditional epistemology with scientific validation frameworks.
- Maintaining interoperability between DRAVYA, Ayush Grid, and global digital health platforms.
- Continuous updating and peer review to prevent outdated or conflicting information.
Conclusion
- DRAVYA represents a transformative leap in bringing India’s ancient medicinal heritage into the digital and AI era.
- It blends Sanskrit grantha-based wisdom with modern research validation, creating a scientifically robust, globally accessible, and technology-driven repository.
- The initiative not only digitizes data but revitalizes Ayurveda’s intellectual ecosystem—making traditional medicine searchable, standardized, and globally credible.
- It marks India’s progress from being a custodian of heritage knowledge to a leader in evidence-based digital traditional medicine systems.
