Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his remarks at the start of the Genome India Project via video message and expressed confidence that this project would prove to be a milestone in the field of biotechnology research and congratulated all the stakeholders involved in the project.

He added that the Genome India project was approved 5 years ago and our scientists have diligently worked and completed the project despite the challenges posed by the Covid Pandemic.

Modi remarked that more than 20 illustrious research institutions such as IISc, IITs, CSIR and DBT-BRIC have played a major role in this research.

He added that the data consisting of the genome sequences of 10,000 Indians was now available at the Indian Biological Data Center.

He noted that this project has successfully created a diverse genetic resource by sequencing the genomes of 10,000 individuals from various populations.

The Prime Minister noted that this data will now be available to scientists and researchers, aiding scholars in understanding India's genetic landscape. He emphasized that this information will greatly assist in policy-making and planning for the country.

The Prime Minister was pleased to note that India's Bio Economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, from $10 billion in 2014 to over $150 billion today. He highlighted that India is striving to elevate its Bio Economy to new heights and recently launched the Bio E3 Policy.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Indian Genomic Data Set unveiled and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the ‘Framework for Exchange of Data Protocols (FeED)’ and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, making 10,000 whole genome samples accessible to researchers across India and the globe.

Addressing the conclave, Dr. Singh proudly stated, “India has developed its own genomic data set, a monumental achievement that will fuel future medical and scientific breakthroughs. The entire collection of 10,000 whole genome samples, archived at IBDC, is now made available for research purposes not only within India but globally. This data set will serve as a critical resource for genomics research, contributing to advancements in personalized healthcare and medicine.”

The Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) will facilitate seamless access to valuable genetic information, enabling researchers to explore genetic variations and design more accurate genomic tools. The 10,000 whole genome sequencing (WGS) samples come from diverse Indian populations and provide a rich catalog of genetic variations. This initiative is set to position India as a leader in genomics, enabling the development of genomic chips tailored to the Indian demographic, thereby enhancing the precision of genetic studies.

The launch of the ‘Framework for Exchange of Data (FeED)’ Protocols under the Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines ensures that the high-quality, nation-specific data will be shared in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner. The Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines, introduced in 2021, are a testament to India’s commitment to ethical and secure data sharing.

Dr. Jitendra Singh further announced a future target of sequencing 10 million genomes to accelerate India’s advancements in genomics and personalized medicine.

He also suggested expanding the initiative by collaborating with prominent institutions such as the Tata Memorial Hospital to enhance data enrichment efforts.

Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT said with Genomic Data Available we can counter genetic and hereditary diseases.

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, spoke about the transformative potential of this data, emphasizing its role in the prevention and cure of genetic disorders. He also highlighted that the data generated from the GenomeIndia project would not only strengthen healthcare but also provide invaluable insights for agricultural, environmental, and industrial research.

Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR; Dr. Y Narahari, CBR, IISc Bengaluru; Dr. Arvind Sahu, Executive Director, RCB; and senior officials from the concerned scientific ministries were present at the event, underscoring the collective effort behind the success of this project.