New Delhi: The DESIGN for BioE3 Challenge continues to invite participation as part of its year-long national innovation initiative, with the December submission cycle closing on 20 December 2025.
The challenge has been launched to encourage youth-led innovation and grassroots solutions aligned with India’s BioE3 policy framework.
Approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 August 2024, the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy has been formulated by the Department of Biotechnology to create convergence between biotechnology, engineering, and digitalisation.
The policy focuses on strengthening bio-manufacturing while supporting India’s vision of a green, clean, prosperous, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, contributing to the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
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Launched by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, the Design for BioE3 Challenge echoes the Prime Minister’s call for increased youth participation in nation-building.
The challenge is themed “Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES” and is structured across two distinct categories.
DESIGN for BioE3 Challenge: Two Categories for Students and Citizens
- Category 1 of the DESIGN for BioE3 Challenge
- Open to school students from Class 6 to Class 12. Participants are required to demonstrate their understanding of the BioE3 policy through imaginative, creative, and concise videos highlighting the novelty, feasibility, and potential impact of their ideas.
- The top ten performers will receive Certificates of Merit signed by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology every month for the next 12 months, starting from 1 November 2025.
- Additionally, 20 to 30 participants each month will be awarded Certificates of Appreciation. Selected students may also gain access to facilities at BIRAC’s EYUVA and BioNEST incubation centres to further develop and validate their ideas.
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- Category 2 of the DESIGN for BioE3 Challenge
- Open to all Indian citizens. Participants are expected to submit creative and feasible ideas that demonstrate practical applications of the BioE3 policy.
- The top ten winning solutions will receive a cash prize of ₹1.00 lakh each every month for the next 12 months, beginning 1 November 2025.
- Selected winners may also qualify for Round 2 funding, with up to 100 grants capped at ₹25 lakh each to support the conversion of design concepts into real-world solutions.
The challenge follows a monthly cycle, opening on the first day of every month until 1 October 2026. While the first cycle concluded on 20 November 2025, the second cycle opened on 1 December 2025 and will close on 20 December 2025.
