New Delhi: In a landmark step toward transforming India’s healthcare landscape, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on 6 July 2025 inaugurated the “Phenome India: National Biobank” and launched India’s first longitudinal population data study at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), New Delhi. The event marked a monumental leap toward personalised healthcare, genomic innovation, and data-driven disease management, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
🔬 About the National Biobank
The National Biobank is a state-of-the-art biological and data repository that aims to collect genomic, clinical, and lifestyle data from 10,000 diverse individuals across India. It will enable scientists to track health outcomes and disease patterns over time, similar to the globally renowned UK Biobank but customised for India’s ethnic, geographical, and socio-economic diversity.
Key Features:
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Nationwide longitudinal cohort study
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Integration of genetic, lifestyle, and clinical data
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AI and data science-enabled analytics
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Focus on early disease detection and personalised treatment
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Enabling India-specific solutions for diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, rare disorders, and sickle cell anaemia
🧬 Revolutionising Healthcare: Toward Personalised Medicine
While addressing scientists at CSIR-IGIB, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also the Vice President of CSIR, declared that personalised treatment regimens are no longer theoretical concepts but becoming a reality—thanks to indigenous scientific innovations like this Biobank.
“We are moving toward a future where every Indian could receive personalised treatment tailored to their genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle,” – Dr. Jitendra Singh
The initiative is set to propel India into the global league of precision medicine pioneers, reducing reliance on imported medical insights and data.
🩺 Why It Matters for India
India faces unique health challenges, such as:
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Central obesity in lean individuals
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Rising rates of lifestyle diseases
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High prevalence of rare genetic disorders
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Underrepresentation in global clinical data
The National Biobank will allow researchers to:
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Decode gene-environment interactions
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Understand population-specific disease risk
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Develop targeted therapeutics
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Inform public health policy
Dr. Jitendra Singh cited that this project will strengthen AI-based diagnostics, preventive care, and therapeutic precision tailored to Indian populations.
🧪 Major Research Focus Areas at CSIR-IGIB
Under the leadership of Director Dr. Souvik Maiti, CSIR-IGIB continues to be India’s trailblazer in genomics. The institute is working on:
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300+ genetic diagnostic kits for rare diseases
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CRISPR-based therapies for sickle cell anaemia, liver fibrosis, AMR, and rare genetic conditions
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COVID-19 genome surveillance
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Breast cancer genomics
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Women-centric healthcare studies
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AI-powered pilot fitness assessments (in collaboration with Indian Air Force)
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Emerging domains like space biology
Dr. Maiti highlighted that IGIB was the first in India to begin human genome decoding, paving the way for national efforts in precision medicine.
🌱 Self-Reliance and International Collaboration
Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, called the Biobank a “baby step toward healthcare self-reliance” with potential to become a global gold standard. She acknowledged that the diversity of Indian data could eventually surpass datasets like the UK Biobank.
She reiterated the importance of community partnerships, especially with tribal populations, in deploying CRISPR therapies for sickle cell anaemia and AMR prevention, emphasizing affordability, accessibility, and impact.
🏥 Vision for the Future
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Data from the Phenome India Biobank will support drug discovery, clinical trials, and predictive diagnostics.
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Government aims to connect research institutions, industry partners, and healthcare providers for market-ready innovations.
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Long-term goal: Develop a nationwide health intelligence system for real-time health interventions.
🔗 Conclusion
The launch of the National Biobank at CSIR-IGIB is a watershed moment in India’s pursuit of scientific sovereignty, population-scale data-driven healthcare, and genetic equity. It places India firmly on the map of next-generation health innovation while paving the way for a healthier, personalised, and resilient society.
“Research must extend beyond the lab—it must find takers in the market and beneficiaries in society.” – Dr. Jitendra Singh
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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