BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative
Why in news?
Recently, the BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative for biotech startups was launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Meanwhile, it also released the India Bioeconomy Report 2025 (IBER 2025) which provides information on India’s growing bioeconomy.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
About the BioSaarthi Initiative
- It is a six-month cohort program that offers personalized guidance through structured mentor-mentee engagements for emerging biotech entrepreneurs.
- The initiative aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration that ensures growth in the biotech sector.
- The program is designed to equip biotech startups with skills and knowledge to navigate challenges and scale their innovations.
- Boosting India’s Bioeconomy: Part of a larger effort to accelerate the growth of India’s bioeconomy and support biotech startups in contributing to the sector.
India’s Bioeconomy from the IBER 2025
- Bioeconomy Growth: Valued at $165.7 billion in 2024, a significant increase from $10 billion in 2014.
- Contribution to GDP (Nominal): 4.3% of India’s GDP.
- Sector-wise Contribution:
- Bioindustrial (47.2%) – Largest contributor.
- Followed by BioPharma, BioServices, and BioAgri.
- Regional Contribution:
- South Zone (45.4%) – Largest regional contributor.
- Followed by West, North, and East Zones.
- State-wise Contribution: Key contributors include Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, etc.
- Biotech Startups: Grew from 50 startups a decade ago to over 10,075 in 2024.
Prelims Question:
With reference to the BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative, consider the following statements:
- It is a six-month cohort program providing structured mentorship to biotech startups.
- The initiative exclusively focuses on domestic mentors from India.
- It aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in the biotech sector.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The BioSaarthi Initiative offers structured mentorship through a six-month cohort program.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The initiative also includes overseas experts from the Indian diaspora as international mentors.
- Statement 3 is correct: It aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in the biotech sector.
