Department of Biotechnology

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is a department of the Indian government under the Ministry of Science and Technology, established in 1986. Its primary mandate is to promote and accelerate the development, commercialization, and application of biotechnology in India across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. While its main role is that of a government body, it also functions as an investor by providing funding and support to startups, researchers, and companies. This is largely carried out through various grants, schemes, and its public sector enterprise, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), which was set up by the DBT to strengthen and empower biotech enterprises.