The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy on 24 August 2024. Formulated by the Department of Biotechnology, the policy brings together biotechnology, engineering and digitalisation to promote bio-manufacturing and support a more equitable and sustainable development pathway. BioE3 envisions a green, clean, prosperous and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aligned with the national ambition of Viksit Bharat @2047. Echoing the Prime Minister’s call for greater youth participation, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, launched the D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge on 15 August 2025. The challenge, themed “Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of Their Times”, is structured across two categories. Category 1 is open to school students from Class 6 to Class 12 and is hosted on the Innovate portal of MyGov, while Category 2 is open to all Indian citizens and is hosted on the BRIC website. The initiative aims to empower grassroots innovators, foster youth-led change and strengthen India’s transition towards a sustainable and self-reliant bioeconomy. The year-long challenge opens on the first of every month until 1 October 2026 and is jointly implemented by the Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC and BRIC. A total of 852 proposals were received during the November 2025 window. All submissions were evaluated by an expert committee through a blinded review process, with applicant identities and affiliations masked. The top 10 teams selected from this window were recognised for their design-led innovation and potential impact. The winners were felicitated by Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Director General, BRIC; and Chairman, BIRAC, at an event held at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, on 30 December 2025. Each of the 10 winning teams received a prize of Rs 0.1 million through BIRAC’s Grand Challenges India programme. In addition, the selected teams have the option to submit a full proposal to BIRAC within three months to seek a Research, Development and Innovation grant of up to Rs 2.5 million to convert their design ideas into proof-of-concept solutions. Speaking at the event, Dr Gokhale said the initiative reflects a unique collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC and BRIC to encourage grassroots innovation and nurture a pipeline of future-ready entrepreneurs. He noted that the BioE3 policy has provided a strong impetus to high-performance bio-manufacturing in India and that the D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge forms a key part of the policy’s implementation. He urged young innovators, faculty members, start-ups and citizens to study the BioE3 policy and participate actively in the challenge, reaffirming the department’s commitment to youth-led, responsible biotechnology innovation for Viksit Bharat @2047. He also encouraged all participants, including those not selected, to continue refining their ideas and contributing to India’s bioeconomy. Senior officials from the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC, along with faculty and students from institutions including ICGEB, BRIC-NII, BRIC-THSTI, RCB, BRIC-NIPGR and BRIC-NBRC, attended the event.