UPSC Prelims 2026Question 48Science & Technology

Which of the following statements with regard to Genome India Project is/are correct?
1. It is a part of the Human Genome Project.
2. The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
3. Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.
Select the answer using the code given below:

Options

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 2 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: b

Decision rule

National missions are not branches of foreign programmes; a statement folding an Indian initiative into a famous international project is the error.

Explanation

Correct Answer

(b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation of the Correct Answer

Statement 1: It is a part of the Human Genome Project.

Incorrect.

The Human Genome Project was an international project that aimed to sequence and map the entire human genome.
The Genome India Project is not a part of the Human Genome Project.
It is India’s own genomics initiative focused on mapping the genetic diversity of the Indian population.
It was launched much later, in 2020, by the Department of Biotechnology. The official GenomeIndia project page states that the project was launched in January 2020 by DBT. (Genome India)

Statement 2: The project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Correct.

The Genome India Project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
It involves collaboration among multiple academic and research institutions across India. The official GenomeIndia portal describes it as a project funded by DBT, Government of India, involving 20 academic and research institutions. (Genome India)

Statement 3: Its primary aim is to build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population.

Correct.

The project aims to create a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations reflecting the diversity of India’s population.
Its first phase involved whole-genome sequencing of thousands of individuals from diverse Indian population groups.
The official GenomeIndia portal states that its primary objective is to build a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations reflecting the unique diversity of the Indian population. (Genome India)

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 only are correct.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option	Verdict	Explanation
(a) 1 only	Incorrect	Statement 1 is incorrect because Genome India Project is not part of the Human Genome Project.
(b) 2 and 3 only	Correct	The project is funded by DBT and aims to catalogue the genetic diversity of the Indian population.
(c) 1 and 2 only	Incorrect	Statement 2 is correct, but statement 1 is incorrect; statement 3 is also correct.
(d) 1, 2 and 3	Incorrect	Statement 1 is incorrect.

Relevant Supplementary Information

Genome India Project: Key Facts

Parameter	Details
Project name	Genome India Project / GenomeIndia
Launched	2020
Funding agency	Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
Main aim	Build a catalogue of genetic variations in the Indian population
Method	Whole-genome sequencing
First-phase target	Sequencing of 10,000 individuals
Population coverage	Diverse Indian population groups
Institutional model	Collaboration among 20 academic and research institutions
Potential use	Precision medicine, disease-risk mapping, population genetics and public health research
Not part of	Human Genome Project

Genome India Project vs Human Genome Project

Basis	Genome India Project	Human Genome Project
Nature	Indian national genomics initiative	International scientific project
Launch period	2020	1990
Main focus	Genetic diversity of Indian population	Mapping and sequencing the human genome
Funding / coordination	Department of Biotechnology, Government of India	International consortium, led majorly by US agencies and global partners
Primary output	Catalogue of Indian genetic variations	Reference human genome sequence
Exam trap	Not part of Human Genome Project	Completed before Genome India Project began

Basis	Genome India Project	Human Genome Project
Nature	Indian national project	International scientific project
Launch period	2020	1990
Completion status	Ongoing / developing Indian genomic database	Completed in 2003
Main focus	Genetic diversity among Indian population groups	Sequencing and mapping the human genome
Funding / coordination	Department of Biotechnology, Government of India	International consortium led by major global scientific agencies
Primary output	Catalogue of Indian genetic variations	Reference human genome sequence
Population focus	Indian population diversity	Broad human genome reference
Main relevance	India-specific precision medicine and population genetics	Foundation of modern genomics
Exam trap	It is not part of Human Genome Project	It was a separate global project completed much earlier

Important Terms Related to Genome India Project

Term	Meaning	Relevance
Genome	Complete genetic material of an organism	Genome India studies human genomes from Indian population groups
Whole-genome sequencing	Reading nearly the entire DNA sequence of an individual	Used to identify genetic variations
Genetic variation	Differences in DNA sequence among individuals or groups	Core focus of Genome India Project
Precision medicine	Tailoring medical treatment based on genetic profile	One possible application of the project
Population genomics	Study of genetic variation across populations	Helps understand India’s genetic diversity
Biobank	Repository of biological samples and associated data	Supports future genomics research

Term	Meaning	Relevance to Genome India Project
Genome	Complete genetic material of an organism	The project studies complete human genomes of Indian individuals
Gene	A segment of DNA that carries information for a trait or function	Genetic variations in genes can influence disease risk and drug response
DNA	Molecule carrying hereditary information	The basic material analysed in genome sequencing
Whole-genome sequencing	Reading nearly the entire DNA sequence of an individual	Main technique used in the project
Genetic variation	Differences in DNA sequence among individuals or groups	Core focus of Genome India Project
Population genomics	Study of genetic patterns across populations	Helps understand India’s genetic diversity
Precision medicine	Medical treatment tailored to genetic profile	One major future application
Biobank	Repository of biological samples and related data	Supports future genomic research
Reference genome	Standard genome sequence used for comparison	Helps identify variations in individual genomes

Key Takeaways from the Tables

Point	Explanation
Genome India Project is not part of Human Genome Project	It is a separate Indian initiative launched decades later.
DBT funds the project	It is funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Main aim is genetic diversity mapping	The project seeks to catalogue genetic variations in India’s diverse population.
Useful for precision medicine	Indian genomic data can help improve disease-risk prediction and treatment response.
India-specific data matters	Global genomic datasets have historically underrepresented Indian populations.

Point	Explanation
Genome India Project is India-specific	It focuses on genetic diversity of Indian population groups.
It is not part of Human Genome Project	The Human Genome Project was a separate international project completed earlier.
DBT funds the project	The Department of Biotechnology is the key funding agency.
Whole-genome sequencing is the main method	The project reads genomes to identify genetic variations.
Main aim is genetic diversity catalogue	It helps build India-specific genomic reference data.
Sequencing does not mean genetic modification	Genome sequencing reads DNA; it does not alter it.
Major future use is precision medicine	Indian genomic data can help improve diagnosis, treatment and public health research.

Context and Current Relevance

Genome India is important because India has high genetic, linguistic, ethnic and regional diversity.
It can support precision medicine, better diagnosis of rare diseases and population-specific health research.
In 2025, India released genomic data of around 10,000 individuals, marking a major step in building India-specific genomic resources.

Table: Genome India Project — Key Facts

Parameter	Details
Project name	Genome India Project / GenomeIndia
Country	India
Launched	2020
Funding agency	Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
Nodal ministry	Ministry of Science and Technology
Nature	Indian national genomics initiative
Main objective	Build a catalogue of genetic diversity of the Indian population
Method used	Whole-genome sequencing
Initial target	Sequencing genomes of 10,000 individuals
Participating institutions	Consortium of Indian academic and research institutions
Not a part of	Human Genome Project
Major application	Precision medicine, population genomics, disease-risk research and public health planning

Table: Possible Applications of Genome India Project

Application Area	How It Helps
Precision medicine	Helps tailor treatment based on genetic profile
Rare disease diagnosis	Helps identify genetic causes of rare inherited disorders
Drug response prediction	Helps understand why some people respond differently to medicines
Disease-risk mapping	Identifies population-specific genetic risk factors
Public health research	Supports better understanding of disease patterns in India
Population history	Helps study migration, ancestry and population structure
Biotechnology research	Provides data for genomics-based innovation
Preventive healthcare	May help identify susceptibility to certain diseases early

Table: Similar Prelims-Trap Facts on Genomics

Statement / Theme	Correct Understanding	Common Trap
Genome India Project is part of Human Genome Project	Incorrect	It is a separate Indian project
Genome India Project is funded by DBT	Correct	Confusing it with ICMR or Ministry of Health
Its aim is to catalogue Indian genetic diversity	Correct	Assuming it aims only to sequence one standard Indian genome
Human Genome Project was international	Correct	Treating it as an Indian project
Whole-genome sequencing reads DNA	Correct	Confusing it with protein sequencing
Precision medicine uses genetic data	Correct	Assuming all medicine is identical for all populations
Genetic variation affects disease risk	Correct	Assuming all humans have identical disease susceptibility
Genome sequencing is same as genetic modification	Incorrect	Sequencing reads DNA; it does not modify DNA
Genomics is useful for public health	Correct	Treating it only as laboratory research

Table: Genome Sequencing vs Genetic Engineering vs Genetic Testing

Basis	Genome Sequencing	Genetic Engineering	Genetic Testing
Meaning	Reading DNA sequence	Altering genetic material	Testing for specific genetic traits or risks
Does it modify DNA?	No	Yes	No
Purpose	Understand genetic information	Create desired genetic change	Diagnose or assess risk
Example	Genome India Project	Genetically modified crop or gene-editing therapy	Testing for inherited disease risk
Nature	Analytical	Interventional	Diagnostic
Common confusion	Sequencing is mistaken for modification	Engineering is confused with testing	Testing is confused with full genome sequencing

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