New Delhi: India has emerged as the world’s largest vaccine producer by volume and developed a growing scientific and industrial base capable of contributing to global epidemic preparedness, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Sunday. His remarks came at a high‑level reception hosting the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Board and Investors Council in New Delhi.
CEPI meeting underscores deepening partnership
The event, organised jointly by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and CEPI at the India International Centre, brought together CEPI leadership, its Board and Investors Council, policymakers, scientists and industry representatives involved in vaccine research and epidemic planning. The governance meetings mark the first time CEPI has convened in India since a meeting a decade ago, signalling deeper collaboration between India and the global vaccine partnership.
Speaking at the reception, Dr Singh highlighted the transformation of India’s biotechnology sector over the past decade and credited scientists and institutions for building the country’s vaccine and biomedical capabilities. He noted that India has been associated with CEPI since its early years as a founding member and long‑standing strategic partner.
"India has emerged as the world’s largest vaccine producer and a major global supplier by volume," Dr Jitendra Singh said.
Numbers behind the claim
The minister cited recently compiled figures to sketch the sector’s growth. According to the data presented, India’s bioeconomy reached $195.3 billion in 2025, with year‑on‑year growth of 18 per cent. The biotechnology startup ecosystem expanded to 11,855 startups, including 1,780 new firms established during 2025. The biopharmaceutical sector was reported to account for nearly 30 per cent of the bioeconomy.
| Indicator | Value (2025) |
|---|---|
| Bioeconomy | $195.3 billion |
| Year‑on‑year growth | 18% |
| Biotech startups (total) | 11,855 |
| New startups in 2025 | 1,780 |
| Share of biopharma | ~30% |
What this means for epidemic preparedness
The minister argued that India’s diverse disease burden, coupled with expanding scientific capacity, offers a distinct platform for research on vaccines and biomedical countermeasures. He said the country has moved beyond limitations observed a decade ago and now possesses a "vibrant bioeconomy, strong vaccine development capabilities and a scientific ecosystem capable of contributing to global preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics."
Those attending the CEPI meetings included policymakers, scientists and industry representatives, reflecting the multi‑stakeholder nature of epidemic readiness. CEPI, established to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases, works with governments and private actors to fill gaps in early‑stage vaccine development and enable equitable access during outbreaks.
- Industrial scale: India’s large vaccine manufacturing base allows rapid production and supply by volume.
- Research ecosystem: Growth in biotech startups and institutional capacity supports development of next‑generation vaccines and diagnostics.
- International role: Continued engagement with CEPI positions India as a partner in global epidemic response and vaccine equity efforts.
While the minister’s remarks emphasised national strengths, they also underscore the need for sustained investment in R&D, regulatory frameworks, manufacturing quality and cold‑chain logistics to translate capacity into timely responses during outbreaks. CEPI’s presence in New Delhi for governance meetings may help align Indian capabilities with international priorities for rapid vaccine design, testing and distribution.
As India projects itself as a major global supplier, policymakers and industry leaders will need to balance export commitments with domestic preparedness, ensuring that supply chains, clinical trial capacity and post‑market surveillance keep pace with the ambitions outlined at the high‑level meeting.
