Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that integrates biological sciences with engineering and technology to develop products and processes for healthcare, agriculture, environmental management, and industrial applications. In India, biotechnology education has expanded steadily over the past four decades. The Government of India established the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in 1986 to promote research, training, and capacity building in this sector.
By the mid-2010s, official assessments estimated a requirement of over 6,000 trained biotechnologists nationwide. Parallel to this demand, the biotechnology industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar sector supported by investments in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, agriculture, and environmental technologies. This growth has led to a substantial expansion of biotechnology programs across universities and technical institutions. Currently, more than 1,300 colleges across India offer biotechnology courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, according to consolidated education listings.
Biotechnology education focuses on applying biological principles and technological tools to real-world challenges. Programs integrate life sciences with applied disciplines such as molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, and bioprocess engineering. Students receive theoretical knowledge along with structured laboratory training, project work, and internships to prepare for research and industry roles.
The Department of Biotechnology functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. DBT plays a central role in funding research, promoting industry-academia collaboration, and supporting training programs. Since 1985, DBT has sponsored multiple postgraduate biotechnology courses across India. These programs follow a model curriculum and mandate compulsory research projects.
DBT also administers initiatives such as the Star College Scheme, which aims to strengthen undergraduate science education and laboratory infrastructure. Admission to DBT-supported postgraduate seats is conducted through the Graduate Aptitude Test Biotechnology (GAT-B) coordinated by the National Testing Agency.
Biotechnology does not have a single statutory regulatory council in India. Academic governance is shared across multiple bodies:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) regulates science degrees such as BSc, MSc, and PhD.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) regulates engineering programs such as BTech and MTech Biotechnology.
As a result, biotechnology education operates under a multi-regulatory framework involving UGC, AICTE, and DBT. Experts have noted that this structure can result in variability in curriculum standards across institutions.
Biotechnology research and applications are governed by safety and ethical regulations. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) oversees genetically modified organisms, while national guidelines regulate stem cell research and clinical applications to ensure biosafety compliance.
Short-term diploma and certificate programs provide foundational skills in microbiology, laboratory techniques, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics. These are generally pursued after Class 12 or during undergraduate studies.
Duration: Three years
Eligibility: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Some institutions also accept Mathematics.
Curriculum: Molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and bioinformatics.
Admission: Based on board examination merit or entrance exams such as CUET UG.
Institutional Availability
Education listings indicate that around 990 colleges in India offer BSc Biotechnology, making it the most widely available biotechnology degree in the country.
Duration: Four years
Eligibility: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology
Admission: Engineering entrance exams such as JEE Main or state CETs
Focus: Bioprocess engineering, industrial biotechnology, downstream processing, and instrumentation
Engineering portals list several hundred AICTE-approved institutions offering BTech Biotechnology across India.
Several universities offer five-year Integrated MSc and MTech programs combining undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Admissions are usually conducted through national engineering entrance examinations.
Duration: Two years
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in biotechnology or related disciplines such as biochemistry, zoology, or botany
Admission: University entrance tests, CUET PG, ICAR AIEEA, IIT JAM, or GAT-B for DBT-funded seats
Specializations: Medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, marine biotechnology, genomics, synthetic biology
Education portals list approximately 795 colleges offering MSc Biotechnology across India.
Duration: Two years
Eligibility: BTech or BE in biotechnology or related engineering fields
Admission: GATE or institute-specific examinations
Focus: Bioprocess engineering, biomedical instrumentation, and bioengineering
CUET UG
Mandatory for undergraduate biotechnology admissions in central universities.
CUET PG
Primary entrance exam for MSc Biotechnology in central universities.
IIT JAM
Accepted by IITs and IISc for MSc and integrated MSc-PhD programs.
ICAR AIEEA (PG)
For agricultural biotechnology programs.
JEE Main / Advanced
For BTech Biotechnology admissions in IITs, NITs, IIITs.
State CETs
MHT CET, KCET, WBJEE for state-level admissions.
DBT GAT-B
For DBT-funded MSc Biotechnology seats.
PhD programs are offered by universities, IITs, IISc, CSIR laboratories, and DBT institutes. Eligibility requires a master’s degree and qualification in CSIR NET, UGC NET, or institutional entrance examinations. Research areas include medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, and bioinformatics.
Doctoral admissions in biotechnology primarily require qualification in national-level eligibility tests. These exams determine eligibility for fellowships and research positions across Indian universities and research institutes.
UGC NET (National Eligibility Test)
Conducted by NTA, UGC NET qualifies candidates for PhD admissions and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in UGC-regulated universities.
CSIR NET
Specifically meant for science disciplines including Life Sciences. It is widely accepted by CSIR laboratories, IISc, IITs, and central universities.
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)
Accepted for PhD admissions in IITs, NITs, IISc, and technical universities. It is also used for
• PMRF eligibility
• Institutional fellowships
DBT JRF Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET)
Conducted exclusively for biotechnology graduates seeking DBT fellowships for PhD programs.
Institutional Entrance Tests
Many universities conduct their own PhD entrance exams followed by interviews.
Education databases show that biotechnology institutions are concentrated in states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Gujarat.
At the doctoral level, listings indicate over 80 institutions offering PhD Biotechnology, with higher representation in Tamil Nadu, Delhi NCR, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
Overall, consolidated education listings estimate:
• 1,300+ colleges offering biotechnology programs nationwide
• Approximately 700 private institutions
• Over 300 government colleges
• Remaining institutions operated under public-private partnerships
India currently does not publish a centralized official government registry listing biotechnology colleges by subject, as governance is divided between UGC and AICTE.
Graduates work in drug discovery, vaccine development, bioprocessing, quality control, and regulatory affairs.
India’s pharma and biotech sector was valued at approximately USD 80 billion in 2021 and is estimated at USD 130–165.7 billion in 2024, with projections to reach USD 150 billion by 2025 and USD 300 billion by 2030.
Roles include molecular diagnostics, genetic testing, clinical laboratory analysis, and biomedical research.
Careers involve crop improvement, seed development, biofertilizers, pest-resistant crops, bioremediation, and waste management.
Employment in fermentation industries, enzyme production, biofuels, bioplastics, and food processing.
Positions in universities and national institutes such as IISc, IITs, CSIR laboratories, ICMR institutes, and agricultural universities.
Employment in food safety authorities, contract research organizations, and testing laboratories.
India had over 5,365 biotech startups in 2021, a significant rise from about 50 in 2010. Opportunities exist in health technology, agri-biotech, diagnostics, and biotech services.
Recent data shows nearly 9,000 biotech startups by early 2025.
Technical positions in biotech parks, state biotechnology councils, and public research agencies.
India’s biotechnology sector continues to expand with investments in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Government initiatives, startup growth, and international collaborations are driving demand for skilled professionals. Career progression improves with higher qualifications and specialization.
Biotechnology education in India spans diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. It is supported by the Department of Biotechnology, regulated academically by UGC and AICTE, and strengthened through national research funding. With more than 1,300 institutions offering biotechnology programs and a rapidly growing industry, biotechnology continues to offer diverse academic and professional pathways for students interested in life sciences and technology.
Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. “About Department of Biotechnology.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://dbtindia.gov.in/about-us.
Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. “Biotechnology Education and Training Programme.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://dbtindia.gov.in/biotechnology-education-training.
National Testing Agency. “Graduate Aptitude Test Biotechnology (GAT-B).” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://nta.ac.in.
University Grants Commission. “Minimum Standards of Instruction for Grant of Degrees.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://www.ugc.gov.in.
All India Council for Technical Education. “Approval Process Handbook.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://www.aicte-india.org.
India Brand Equity Foundation. “Biotechnology Industry in India.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://www.ibef.org/industry/biotechnology.
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Shiksha. “Biotechnology Colleges in India.” Accessed January 16, 2026. https://www.shiksha.com/science/colleges/biotechnology-colleges-india.
Collegedunia. “MSc Biotechnology Colleges in India.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://collegedunia.com.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. “CSIR NET Examination.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://csirnet.nta.nic.in.
Indian Institute of Science. “Biotechnology Programs.” Accessed January 17, 2026. https://iisc.ac.in.
