India is unstoppable now! From lagging in research and science to rapidly emerging as a leader in genetics and genomics research. The future of science shines bright in India, with nationwide initiatives focusing on population health, biodiversity, and agriculture.
India is poised to build a future with enhanced treatments, rich biological diversity, precision medicine, and leading-edge research.
Projects like GenomeIndia Project, IndiGen Program, National Genomics Core, GeneBank India, and CRP Genomics are central projects that are set to lay the foundation for India’s genomic era.
Let’s see 5 nation-wide projects that strengthen Indian’s future in genetics.
Read more: India’s Top 5 Genetic Breakthroughs of 2025.
Key Topics:
GenomeIndia project:
One of the nation’s most ambitious research initiatives is the Genome India Project (GIP). Its objective is to sequence 10,074 genomes from various communities and geographical areas in order to produce an exhaustive genetic map of the Indian population.
The project was announced as completed in January 2025. GenomeIndia project data will be a unique national reference because India is home to over a billion people with remarkable genetic diversity.
This project will help India understand population-level genetic diversity, develop personalized medicine, improve our understanding of diseases, and strengthen the country’s role in genomics.
IndiGen Program:
The IndiGen program was India’s first initiative to map our genome. A whole-genome sequence of 1,008 Indians was conducted over the course of six months, beginning in April 2019, according to a recent announcement by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The initiative, which is a component of the “IndiGen” program, is also viewed as a precursor to a much broader initiative that will involve other government agencies and map a wider portion of the nation’s population.
Scientists involved in the project claim that this will increase public awareness of genomes and the information that genes conceal about a person’s vulnerability to illness in India.
The IndiGen project is now merged into the GenomeIndia initiative.
Read more: 10 Indian Programs That Quietly Protect Our DNA and Genetic Health.
National Genomics Core:
The National Genomics Core (NGC) provides Indian organizations with a centralized platform to access cutting-edge genomics technology. It provides infrastructure, sequencing resources, and training that institutions across India need to conduct state-of-the-art genetics and genomics research.
Meaning, the platform’s ultimate goal is to provide a solid foundation of knowledgeable technicians and scientists versed in the newest sequencing methods, and offering pooled resources, which speed up healthcare, agricultural, and biodiversity programs.
By doing so, the project will provide the genomics infrastructure to smaller setups and institutions.
GenBank India:
A national project called GenBank India aims to establish a central storehouse of plant genetic materials and preserve India’s immense biodiversity. This project’s main aim is to help agriculture and ecology, preserve India’s wild plant diversity and store the material for future use.
Read more: 8 Indian Genetics and Genomics Databases [Open Access].
GUaRDIAN:
GUaRDIA is India’s largest clinical genomics network, including 300 clinicians and scientists. It is actually an international alliance for rare genetic diseases.
The main objective of the present project is to understand the genetic variants linked with rare genetic conditions and their associated phenotypes. The project has been funded by CSIR, India.
Wrapping up:
These initiatives together mark a turning point for India in terms of genetics and genomics. Not only will they strengthen India’s scientific foundation, but they will also position our country as a global contributor in science and research.
