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India Launches BHARAT Study: A Scientific Blueprint for Healthy Ageing.

National | Dated: 04 Jul 2025

In July 2025, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, launched the BHARAT Study — a national research initiative focused on identifying scientific markers of healthy ageing. It aims to improve the quality of life and healthspan of India’s growing elderly population.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The full form of BHARAT is Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity and Transitions. This is India’s first large-scale, multi-omics ageing study that will analyze thousands of samples across the country to study biological ageing using genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and microbiome analysis.
  • - India's elderly population (aged 60+) is projected to grow from 104 million in 2011 to over 173 million by 2026, contributing to a rapid increase in age-related diseases. Dementia cases alone are expected to rise by 200%, while Parkinson’s disease is expected to increase by 168% in the coming decades.
  • - The BHARAT Study addresses the lack of India-specific medical baselines. It will develop Indian biological ageing standards, such as liver age, kidney age, and metabolic age. This is important because many global cut-off values (e.g., cholesterol, CRP, B12) don’t apply accurately to Indian populations.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The study aligns with global and national goals like the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) and India's National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE). It supports SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) and works alongside government schemes like Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
  • (ii) Preliminary data shows around 8.8 million elderly Indians suffer from dementia, and up to 50% experience sarcopenia or osteoporosis, leading to falls, fractures, and disability. BHARAT will help develop preventive models, including early diagnostics, nutrition guidelines, and physical activity programs tailored to Indian physiology.
  • (iii) The long-term goal is to integrate findings into India’s digital health ecosystem under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Data will support the development of AI-driven risk predictors, personalized elderly care services, and improved policies in insurance, pensions, urban planning, and rural geriatric care systems.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which initiative was recently launched by IISc Bengaluru as a national-level scientific blueprint to promote healthy ageing in India?

Correct Answer: BHARAT Study

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