Which of the following initiatives was launched on 21 March 2025 by the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide structured biotech mentorship?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative

Explanation:
• The BioSaarthi Mentorship Initiative was officially launched on March 21, 2025, by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• It is designed to provide structured mentorship to early-stage biotech startups and students by pairing them with industry veterans.
• The program aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application in the biological sciences.
• 'Saarthi' (meaning charioteer or guide) signifies the role of mentors in navigating the complex regulatory and technical landscape of biotechnology.
• The initiative provides guidance on Intellectual Property (IP), clinical trials, and scaling up laboratory prototypes.

Information Booster:
• BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) is the implementing agency for many such startup-centric programs in India.
• India aims to become a $150 billion bio-economy by 2030, making mentorship programs like BioSaarthi critical for growth.

Additional Knowledge:
BioInnovate India (Option a)
• This is a general term often used for innovation contests, but not the specific mentorship program launched in March 2025.
Biotech Startup Mission (Option b)
• This sounds like a policy framework rather than a specific structured mentorship tool for individuals.
BioNurture (Option c)
• While 'nurture' is a common theme, the government specifically branded the March 2025 initiative as BioSaarthi to emphasize guidance.

So the correct answer is (d)