Karnataka Clears Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031 with ₹120 Crore Outlay

Key facts

• Karnataka has approved the Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-2031, aiming to grow the state's Blue Bioeconomy from about $2 billion to $6-8 billion by 2031.
• The five-year policy has a proposed budget of ₹120 crore and targets around 2,500 high-value technical jobs and 7,500 coastal enterprise and livelihood opportunities.
• The policy will establish the Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy (KIMBE) as an anchor for research, innovation and commercialisation.
• Dedicated Marine Biotechnology Zones with common infrastructure, logistics, testing and plug-and-play facilities are planned under the policy.
• The policy includes a Seaweed Value Addition Production Linked Incentive (SVA-PLI) for products such as nutraceuticals, biofertilisers, bioplastics, bio-based chemicals and biofuels, along with a pilot Blue Carbon Certification Programme.