Jitendra Singh opens ₹60 crore recombinant cells and sensors facility at BRIC-RGCB
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the ₹60 crore Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors at BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 1 March 2026.
Summary
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors at BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 1 March 2026. Built at about ₹60 crore, the facility is meant to boost drug discovery and medical and agricultural genomics. He also announced a dedicated GMP facility at the centre to support CAR-T and other cell-based therapies. He said India's biotech start-ups had grown from about 50 to over 11,000 in 11 years, and that the BioE3 Policy would drive a US$300 billion biomanufacturing future. The Union Cabinet approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy on 24 August 2024.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 1 March 2026, BRIC-RGCB, Thiruvananthapuram
- Facility
- Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors; ~₹60 crore
- Announced
- GMP facility for CAR-T and cell-based therapies
- Biotech start-ups
- From ~50 to 11,000+ in 11 years
- BioE3 Policy
- Approved by Cabinet on 24 August 2024
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Where is the Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors, inaugurated on 1 March 2026, located?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — BRIC-RGCB Thiruvananthapuram
The facility was inaugurated at BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram.
Consider the following statements about the BioE3 Policy cited at BRIC-RGCB on 1 March 2026: 1. BioE3 stands for 'Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment'. 2. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 August 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Cabinet approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing on 24 August 2024.