Lok Sabha Question No. 1416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-29
Subject: Training in Bio-technology
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: KAMLA DEVI PATLE

**GOVERNEMT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY**

**DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1416**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 29/07/2015**

**TRAINING IN BIOTECHNOLOGY**

1416. SHRIMATI KAMLA DEVI PAATLE:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND 
TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

1. the details of the facilities available for training in biotechnology sector;
2. the steps taken/likely to be taken to utilize research done in biotechnology in various sectors including agriculture;
3. whether the Government has constituted a Bio-technology Industrial Research Council to expedite the output growth and commercialization of research findings;.
4. if so, the details thereof; and
5. whether the Government has encouraged Public Private Partnership (PPP) in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the benefits accrued from the same?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES

(Y.S. CHOWDARY)

1. The Department of Biotechnology provides training for students through star colleges, industrial training, finishing schools programmes.  Short term training programmes for career advancement of existing faculties and scientists are also supported.  In addition, doctoral and post doctoral fellowships are also provided. Opportunities for conducting advanced research or specialized training in leading overseas laboratories are also provided. In addition, the Department through its autonomous institutes, provides training in cutting edge innovation research and multi-disciplinary areas. For the startups and entrepreneurs, the training in specialized areas is provided through Bio- incubators and translational accelerators.

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1. Department of Biotechnology has been supporting research in different universities, institutes and laboratories across the country.  These include both public and private sectors in the areas of industrial research, health care and agriculture. The technologies and processes which are developed are transferred to the industries by the academic researchers. Products developed are commercialized and taken to the market by the industrial partners.  Many products are also being used in Government programmes for societal benefit.
2. & (d) Yes. Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India has set up Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) as a ‘Not for Profit Public Sector Undertaking. The mandate of BIRAC is Innovation Research funding from Discovery to late stage validation. It acts as an interface agency of the Department to strength and empower the emerging biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally important product development needs.  It bridges the existing gaps in the industry academic innovation research and facilitates novel and high quality affordable products development through cutting edge technologies.

(e) Yes. Innovation research grant is provided for product development through various Public Private Partnership schemes of BIRAC to young Entrepreneurs, Startups and SMEs.  Seed funding for Discovery Research is also provided under the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme of BIRAC. 360 R&D projects, 270 Startups and SMEs and 150 Enterpreneurs have been supported till date. 18 affordable products, 15 new technologies and 30 new IP have been generated.

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