The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, through the Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) Programme, has established a nationwide network for Screening, diagnosis, prevention, and research on inherited genetic disorders. Recognizing the critical importance of timely and accurate diagnosis in the management of rare and genetic diseases, the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021 has emphasized the need for establishing and strengthening specialized diagnostic facilities, including NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras, to improve access to genetic testing and diagnostic services across the country. The DBT-NIDAN Kendras are envisaged as dedicated centers with established genetic diagnostic capabilities that can provide high-quality, affordable, and accessible genetic testing services for patients with suspected inherited disorders and rare diseases. These centres will serve as an integral component of the national rare disease diagnostic ecosystem and contribute towards early diagnosis, informed clinical management, genetic counseling, and improved patient outcomes.
In alignment with the recommendations of the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021, and as part of the UMMID programme, DBT invites proposals from eligible institutions for designation as NIDAN Kendras under the UMMID Network. The initiative seeks to leverage and strengthen existing genetic testing facilities across the country through a coordinated national network, without support for creation of new infrastructure or procurement of major equipment.
II. The scope of the proposed call and the proposed eligibility conditions are as follows :
The DBT-NIDAN Kendras are envisaged to undertake the any or all of following activities :
1. Clinical genetics services and Genetic Counseling: Evaluation of patients with suspected genetic disorders, Prenatal diagnostic facilities for ultrasonography and procedures like amniocentesis/chorionic villus sampling, Genetic Counseling of families with patients with genetic diseases, pregnant mothers carrying fetuses with high risk of genetic disorders etc
2. Diagnostic testing for common genetic diseases
a. Karyotyping for chromosomal disorders
b. PCR RFLP based assays for Factor V Leiden mutation
c. Molecular assays for Hemophilia A
d. Sanger sequencing based assays for beta thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, achondroplasia, Apert syndrome, cystic fibrosis etc
e. MLPA based assays for Spinal muscular atrophy, DMD, CMT1 etc
f. T riplet primed PCR based assays for triplet repeat disorders like Fragile X syndrome, Huntington disease, spinocerebellar ataxia etc
3. Prenatal testing for genetic disorders such as:
a. Beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and other hemoglobinopathies
b. Spinal muscular atrophy, DMD etc
c. Down syndrome and other aneuploidies by karyotyping/QF PCR
d. Congenital malformations such as neural tube defects
e. Other genetic disorders prevalent at a relatively higher rate in the region where the proposed NIDAN Kendra would be situated.
4. Genetic Counseling: Genetic Counseling of pregnant mothers carrying fetuses with high risk of genetic disorders
5. Short Term screening & Outreach Activities: Short term Trainings & Workshops on identification/Screening of Genetic Disorders or Counseling of families and children with a high risk of genetic disorder to Doctors/Clinicians/Technicians, paramedical health workers including nurses posted in neonatal/pediatric and maternity wards.
Eligibility
1. A Government Medical College / Government Hospital or SIRO recognized not-for-profit Medical College/Hospital desirous of establishing genetic laboratories (NIDAN Kendras) can submit proposals against this call by nominating Clinician(s)/Scientist(s) working in regular capacity with sound relevant clinical/scientific and technical backgrounds and relevant publications as the Principal Investigator.
2. Applicant Institute must have an established and functional genetic testing facility with demonstrated capability in molecular genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, or genomic testing and must have experience in handling patients with inherited disorders.
3. Institute must have an Institutional Ethics Committee registered with appropriate regulatory authorities and demonstrate linkage with clinical departments and genetic counseling services. It is expected that all investigators will follow the highest principles and ethics of research and any law related to the data protection, patient protection as enacted by the Govt. of India from time to time.
4. The host hospital/medical college should undertake the overall responsibility of implementing the project and should be willing to provide all the infrastructure including dedicated space and equipments for the establishment of the NIDAN Kendras. Involvement of all relevant stakeholders is compulsory. Host Institution has to also provide undertaking that once the DBT support is over, host institute will take over the responsibility for continuation of these DBT-NIDAN Kendras.
5. Private institutions/ NGOs should have proof of registration at ‘NGO DARPAN’ of NITI Aayog (http://ngodarpan.gov.in/), Certificate of registration under Society Registration Act, Organization’s Memorandum of Association, Organization’s Articles of Association, Valid DSIR-SIRO certificate/ DSIR in-house R&D recognition certificate (as applicable), and Duly audited account statements for the past three successive years.
6. There should be at least one co-investigator from each participating institute and either one of the PI or Co-PI should have remaining service in co-terminus to the duration of the project.
7. The extant provisions/rules of funding as applicable to extramural projects funded by the Department shall also apply to the proposals/projects received under this call.
8. No grants will be issued to "for profit Organizations”
Funding Pattern
1. No Non-Recurring (NR) Grant will be provided under this call.
2. Institutions shall utilize their existing infrastructure, equipment, and laboratory facilities.
3. DBT support will be restricted to approved recurring components, subject to merit and availability of funds. GIA-General (Recurring Budget) will include Manpower (as per Govt. of India guidelines), Consumables, Training and Workshop, Contingencies, Travel (Domestic only), Others (if any with proper justification) & Overheads as per DBT guidelines.
4. Institutions must clearly demonstrate sustainability and operational readiness using existing facilities.
5. The support for NIDAN Kendras will initially be for a period of three years, subject to annual review and satisfactory performance.
MODE OF SUBMISSION :
Interested investigators should submit proposals online only through DBT ‘eProMIS’ portal (https://dbtepromis.nic.in). The Proposals which are not submitted through DBT eProMIS portal will not be considered further.
PROCESSING OF PROPOSAL
The Proposals will be screened based on the scheme/advertisement guidelines as well as the merit of the proposal. The project investigators may be invited to make a detailed presentation before the Expert Committee, as per DBT norms. The decision of DBT on the proposal will be the final and binding, and same will be communicated to the investigator. The deadline for proposal submission is 31st July, 2026.
For any queries related to this call, please contact:
Dr. Richi V Mahajan, Scientist 'D',
Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology,
Government of India, New Delhi- 110003
Email: rv.mahajan@dbt.nic.in
