Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the Indian Genomic Data Set and the IBDC Portals.
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On January 9, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), unveiled the Indian Genomic Data Set at the Genome India Data Conclave, which was held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
- Dr. Singh launched the Framework for Exchange of Data (FEED) Protocols and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, allowing researchers in India and around the world access to 10,000 whole genome samples.
- He also set a future goal of sequencing 10 million genomes to speed up advancements in genomics and personalized medicine in India.
- These initiatives will help create a knowledge and innovation ecosystem, contributing to the goal of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047.
Main Point :- (i) The Indian Genomic Data Set comprises 10,000 human genomes from 83 population groups, representing approximately 2% of India's 4,600 population groups, and will serve as a foundation for future research on diseases and drug treatments.
(ii) The launch of the FEED protocols, under the Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines, ensures that country-specific data is shared in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner. This reflects India’s commitment to ethical and secure data sharing.
(iii) India's bioeconomy has grown significantly, increasing from USD 10 billion in 2014 to over USD 130 billion in 2024, with a projected target of USD 300 billion by 2030, driven by its rank as the world's largest vaccine producer, the third-largest startup ecosystem, and a surge in biotech startups from 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in 2023, highlighting India's global biotechnology leadership.
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