Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and CSIR Vice President Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Phenome India “National Biobank” at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in Delhi.
Designed to be a cornerstone of India’s first longitudinal health database, the National Biobank aims to collect and integrate genomic, clinical, and lifestyle data from over 10,000 diverse individuals across the country.
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Modelled on the UK Biobank but tailored for India’s unique genetic and social diversity, the facility is expected to transform diagnosis, drug development, and personalised treatment for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and rare genetic conditions.
The Phenome India Project, under which this biobank operates, will track participants over the years to study disease trajectories, gene-environment interactions, and treatment outcomes, all within an Indian context. The data is expected to power AI-driven diagnostics and genome-guided therapies, helping India leap ahead in precision medicine.
“This biobank brings us closer to a future where every Indian may receive healthcare tailored to their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment,” Dr. Singh said.
During the inauguration, Dr. Singh also highlighted that, despite having a normal body weight, many Indians suffer from central obesity, a hidden risk factor that makes personalised strategies essential. The Biobank, he said, will help decode such population-specific complexities.
CSIR Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi described the initiative as a “bold step” toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare data. “This ‘baby step’ could evolve into a global benchmark,” she said.
