Tamil Nadu has developed a broad biotechnology education ecosystem supported by universities, engineering institutions, agricultural universities, research centres, biotech parks, and state and central government policies. The state combines academic training with pharmaceutical manufacturing, agricultural biotechnology, diagnostics, and an expanding incubation network, positioning itself as one of India’s key regions for biotechnology education and workforce development.
In addition to engineering-focused biotechnology programs (BTech/BE), Tamil Nadu also offers a wide array of BSc Biotechnology and related life science degrees through premier arts and science colleges and autonomous institutions. These include programs titled “Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology” or “Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology,” which are common in the state and serve as core biology-driven biotechnology pathways.
Tamil Nadu hosts approximately 119 colleges offering biotechnology programs across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
Of these:
• About 90 are private institutions
• Around 10 operate under public private partnership models
• Roughly 10 are government colleges
More than 90 colleges offer BTech Biotechnology, with over 80 privately managed, six government institutions, and one semi government institution.¹ ²
Programs span BSc Biotechnology, BTech or BE Biotechnology and Industrial Biotechnology, MSc Biotechnology, MTech Biotechnology, integrated programs, and PhD tracks.
Training also includes diploma and short term skill based courses in laboratory techniques, quality control, bioprocessing, regulatory affairs, and bioinformatics offered through colleges, incubators, and training providers.
Several institutions and private training providers also offer short-term skill-based certifications in molecular biology techniques, GMP, regulatory documentation, or industrial biotechnology tools through BioNEST incubators and workshops.
VIT operates the School of Bio Sciences and Technology, established in 2001. The school offers BTech Biotechnology, Integrated MSc Biotechnology, MSc Biotechnology, MSc Applied Microbiology, MSc Biomedical Genetics, MTech Biotechnology, and PhD programs.³ ⁴
In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, VIT ranked 16 in engineering.⁵ ⁶ The BTech Biotechnology program has an intake of 180 students.
The curriculum includes biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, genomics, and electives such as pharmaceutical biotechnology, regenerative medicine, stem cell technology, tissue engineering, food biotechnology, nanobiotechnology, and computational biology.⁴
Established in 1978, Anna University offers BTech Industrial Biotechnology, MTech Biotechnology, and PhD programs through its Department of Biotechnology at Chennai and the Regional Centre in Coimbatore.⁷ ⁸
Anna University ranked 20 in NIRF 2025 Engineering and 465 globally in QS World University Rankings 2026.⁵ ⁶ ⁷
The BTech Industrial Biotechnology curriculum follows an eight semester structure with core courses, electives, laboratory training, and project work, including industrial attachment.⁸
Admissions for undergraduate engineering programs affiliated to Anna University occur primarily through Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA), based on Class 12 marks.
SASTRA offers BTech Biotechnology, integrated BTech and MTech Biotechnology, MSc Biotechnology, and PhD programs through its School of Chemical and Biotechnology.⁹
SASTRA ranked 40 in NIRF 2025 Engineering.⁵ ⁶ The BTech Biotechnology program has a total fee of about ₹7 lakh with an intake of 165 students. Admission uses a combination of JEE Main scores and Class 12 marks or Class 12 marks alone, depending on the admission stream.⁹
The university reported over 90 percent placement for biotechnology graduates for UG four year programs in 2023.⁹
SRM Chennai ranked 14 in NIRF 2025 Engineering.⁵ ⁶
The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate biotechnology programs, along with modern laboratory facilities and industry partnerships.
IIT Madras ranked first nationally in NIRF 2025 Engineering for the tenth consecutive year.⁵ ⁶
While IIT Madras does not run a standalone BTech Biotechnology program, it provides extensive opportunities in biological sciences, biomedical engineering, bioprocess engineering, and interdisciplinary research, along with MSc, MTech, MS by Research, and PhD pathways.
NIT Trichy ranked ninth in NIRF 2025 Engineering.⁵ ⁶ The institute does not offer a dedicated undergraduate biotechnology program but provides related training through chemical engineering and allied disciplines with biotechnology applications.
TNAU conducts a BTech Biotechnology program through its Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.¹⁰ The curriculum focuses on agricultural biotechnology, crop improvement, genetic engineering, and bioprocess engineering, with a mandatory 90 day industrial or institutional internship. TNAU is recognised under DBT programs and is listed among Centres of Excellence for bioinformatics infrastructure.¹⁰ ²¹
Several other institutions contribute to biotechnology education in Tamil Nadu:
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham ranks 23 in NIRF 2025 Engineering and 17 overall.⁵ ⁶
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education ranks 33 in NIRF 2025 Engineering.⁵ ⁶
PSG College of Technology ranks 67 in NIRF 2025 Engineering.¹¹ ¹²
SSN College of Engineering ranks 47 in NIRF 2025 Engineering.⁵ ⁶
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences ranks 45 in Engineering and 23 overall in NIRF 2025 and 201 to 300 globally in Biotechnology by Shanghai Global Ranking.¹³
Bannari Amman Institute of Technology offers accredited BTech Biotechnology and reports funded projects, patents, and over 400 peer reviewed publications.¹⁴
Central University of Tamil Nadu offers a five year Integrated MSc Biotechnology and PhD programs.¹⁵
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University conducts education and research in animal biotechnology.
In addition, autonomous science colleges in Chennai and Coimbatore: such as Loyola College, Madras Christian College, Stella Maris, Presidency College, Ethiraj College, and PSG College of Arts & Science in Coimbatore, offer strong BSc Biotechnology or equivalent programs with merit-based admissions and active student research initiatives.
These BSc programs are not covered by TNEA.
The institutions admit students based on Class 12 marks, not through TNEA, and run online UG admission portals during the Plus Two results season.
TNEA serves as the primary admission route for undergraduate engineering programs, including BTech Biotechnology, based solely on Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology. The minimum aggregate is 50 percent for general category candidates and 45 percent for reserved categories. TNEA 2025 registrations opened on May 7, 2025, with rank lists released on June 27, 2025.²⁶ ²⁷
Other pathways include:
JEE Main and JEE Advanced for IITs, NITs, and selected institutions
VITEEE for VIT
SRMJEEE for SRM
GATE for MTech programs
CUET PG for MSc programs in central universities
IIT JAM for MSc and integrated doctoral tracks
DBT GAT B for DBT funded MSc Biotechnology seats
TNEA does not apply to BSc Biotechnology admissions. BSc programs admit students based on institutional merit lists or centralized university processes (where applicable), without requiring TNEA registration.
Doctoral admissions typically require CSIR NET, UGC NET, GATE, DBT JRF BET, or institutional entrance examinations.
Established in 2004 by TIDCO in technical collaboration with Cornell University, TICEL Bio Park provides over 6.5 lakh square feet of laboratory and industrial infrastructure across three phases.
It supports GMP and GLP facilities, contract research, manufacturing, and testing.
The Biotech Core Instrumentation Facility was created jointly with DBT at a cost of ₹19.3 crore, offering high end equipment access to researchers and companies.¹⁸
The Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women, Chennai, is one of twelve DBT supported biotech parks in India and focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs and researchers.¹⁹
Tamil Nadu hosts DBT and BIRAC supported incubators at IIT Madras Research Park, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, TANUVAS Veterinary Incubation Foundation, and the Golden Jubilee Biotech Park.
These centres provide wet labs, mentoring, pilot scale facilities, and startup support.
Biotechnology may be a good fit for students who:
Enjoy biology, laboratory work, and applied science
Are interested in healthcare, agriculture, diagnostics, or industrial research
Prefer interdisciplinary careers combining science with technology
Plan to pursue higher studies such as MSc, MTech, or PhD
Are open to roles in research, manufacturing, startups, or regulatory fields
Tamil Nadu introduced one of India’s earliest Biotechnology Policies in 2004.
The current Tamil Nadu Life Sciences Promotion Policy 2022 aims to attract ₹200 billion in investment and create 50,000 jobs, offering incentives such as land subsidies, tax exemptions, interest subvention, and support for intellectual property creation.¹⁷ ²⁴ Biotechnology is classified as a sunrise sector under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy 2021.
In January 2026, the state launched India’s first Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025–26, committing ₹100 crore to support 100 deep tech startups, including biotechnology, and targeting increased patent filings and skill development for over 10,000 learners.²² ²³
Tamil Nadu accounts for about 10 percent of India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and hosts over 400 companies across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Major companies operating in the state include AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer, Roche, Johnson and Johnson, Sanofi, Baxter, Novartis, LifeCell, Zifo, and IQVIA.
The state was also the first in India to establish a pharmaceutical park in 1978.¹⁷
Chennai based biotechnology firms include Acrannolife Genomics, Solara Active Pharma Sciences, Eucare Pharmaceuticals, and GeneX India Bioscience, which operate across diagnostics, active pharmaceutical ingredients, wound care, and molecular biology services.²⁸
Graduates from Tamil Nadu institutions find employment across pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioprocessing, diagnostics, clinical research, agricultural biotechnology, bioinformatics, food and industrial biotechnology, environmental services, academia, and government agencies.
Agricultural biotechnology roles involve crop improvement, seed technology, plant tissue culture, and molecular breeding, supported by TNAU and related industries.
Healthcare and diagnostics employ graduates in molecular testing and laboratory services.
Research roles exist in universities, CSIR laboratories, DBT centres, and private R&D units.
Biotech parks and incubators support startup employment in contract research and manufacturing.
Career progression depends on qualifications, research experience, and skill development.
Prospective students are advised to evaluate laboratory exposure, faculty research activity, internship requirements, incubator presence, and department specific placement data rather than relying only on overall institute rankings.
Programs with mandatory projects and industrial attachments offer stronger practical preparation.
Advanced degrees significantly improve prospects for research oriented careers.
Tamil Nadu has established a comprehensive biotechnology education ecosystem supported by approximately 119 institutions, dedicated biotech parks, DBT backed incubators, and an extensive pharmaceutical and life sciences industry.
Universities such as Anna University, VIT, SASTRA, SRM, IIT Madras, and TNAU provide academic and research training across medical, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology.
State policies, including the Life Sciences Promotion Policy 2022 and the Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025–26, reinforce infrastructure development and innovation support. Together, these elements position Tamil Nadu as a major contributor to biotechnology education, research, and workforce development in India.
Is biotechnology a good career in Tamil Nadu?
Yes. Tamil Nadu offers strong opportunities due to its combination of universities, biotech parks, DBT-backed incubators, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and state policies such as the Life Sciences Promotion Policy 2022 and Deep Tech Startup Policy 2025–26. Graduates find roles across healthcare, agriculture, diagnostics, industrial biotechnology, and research.
Which is better BSc or BTech Biotechnology?
BSc Biotechnology is more research and laboratory oriented and suits students interested in life sciences and higher academic study. BTech Biotechnology focuses on engineering applications such as bioprocessing and industrial biotechnology and is better aligned with manufacturing and applied industry roles. The choice depends on whether a student prefers science-driven research or engineering-based careers.
Is NEET required for biotechnology in Tamil Nadu?
No. NEET is not required for biotechnology programs. Admissions typically use TNEA, JEE Main, VITEEE (for VIT), SRMJEEE (for SRM) for undergraduate courses, and CUET PG, IIT JAM, DBT GAT B, or institutional entrance exams for postgraduate programs.
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