Rare Disease Policy Signals Shift As India Moves Into Era Of Personalised Medicine: Dr. Jitendra Singh

India’s first National Policy for Rare Diseases, introduced in 2021, marked a decisive shift in the country’s healthcare priorities—from fighting infectious diseases to confronting complex genetic and rare disorders through early detection, advanced diagnostics, and affordable care, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Friday.

Addressing scientists and researchers during his visit to the DBT–BRIC Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad, the Minister said India is now both scientifically and economically prepared to enter a futuristic healthcare phase driven by genomics, biotechnology, and personalised medicine.

“Early detection and affordability remain the two biggest challenges in managing genetic and rare diseases, but India today has the capability to address both,” Dr. Singh said, underlining that sustained treatment—not diagnosis alone—must be ensured for affected families.

During the visit, Dr. Singh laid the foundation stone of the National Skill Development Centre, SAMARTH, and inaugurated the iDeA-NA BRIC–CDFD Technology Incubator, aimed at strengthening translational research and innovation.

He noted that unlike earlier decades when public health efforts were largely focused on controlling infectious diseases, India is now witnessing a paradigm shift. “Molecular diagnostics, genome sequencing and personalised medicine are increasingly becoming central to healthcare delivery,” he said, adding that institutions such as CDFD play a critical role in bridging laboratory science with real-world clinical outcomes.

Highlighting the government’s policy direction, the Minister said biotechnology and healthcare have received unprecedented priority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recalled that the Bio-E3 Policy, announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort, has acted as a catalyst for innovation, triggering widespread enthusiasm among scientists, startups, and young researchers.

Dr. Singh pointed to rapid progress in genomics-led initiatives, including large-scale genome sequencing programmes, paediatric genetic disease research, and pioneering work in haemophilia. These efforts, he said, are preparing India’s healthcare system for an era where treatment will increasingly be tailored to individual patients rather than based on a one-size-fits-all approach.

“In the future, two patients with the same diagnosis may require different therapies based on their genetic profiles,” he said, describing personalised medicine as the next frontier of healthcare.

The Minister also spoke about the government’s push towards an integrated healthcare model, which includes the institutionalisation of traditional systems through the Ministry of Ayush and the global recognition of yoga as a preventive health tool. Evidence-based integration of wellness practices with modern medicine, he said, has shown promising results in managing lifestyle and metabolic disorders.

Reviewing ongoing research and innovation activities at CDFD, Dr. Singh appreciated its genome sequencing programmes and public outreach initiatives. He stressed that communicating science in a language accessible to citizens—especially young people—is essential for building trust and sustaining interest in biotechnology.

Referring to India’s expanding bio-economy, the Minister said the number of biotech startups has increased manifold in recent years, with the sector’s economic contribution rising sharply. The creation of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), he added, has strengthened coordination among research institutions, enabling high-impact science and closer industry collaboration.

Dr. Singh also underscored India’s global leadership in vaccines and preventive healthcare, noting that indigenous innovations developed during recent public health challenges are now being deployed domestically and shared internationally, reinforcing India’s role in global health security.

Concluding his address, the Minister said that with nearly 70 per cent of India’s population below the age of 40, investing in health through early diagnosis, prevention, and scientific innovation is a national imperative. He expressed satisfaction with the work being done at CDFD and said such institutions are playing a vital role in building a healthier, stronger, and future-ready India.