India-CEPI Partnership: New Phase for Vaccines, Preparedness

India–CEPI partnership enters new phase; India is largest vaccine producer by volume

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Battle Brief

On 13 September 2026, at a reception for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Board and Investors Council in New Delhi, the Science Minister said India is the world’s largest vaccine producer by volume. India, a CEPI founding member, makes nearly 60 per cent of global vaccine production. The DBT-BIRAC-CEPI strategy was renewed in September 2025 for five years.

Fact File

Date: 13 Sep 2026, New Delhi
Hosts: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and CEPI
India’s role: founding member of CEPI
Vaccine share: nearly 60% of global production; 100+ countries supplied
Engagement strategy: first signed October 2019; renewed September 2025 for five years
Bioeconomy: USD 195.3 billion in 2025

In the news

The India-CEPI partnership: what happened?

CEPI is a global coalition working on vaccine development and epidemic preparedness. Its Board met in India a decade after its last governance meeting here. The Government used the occasion to set out India’s vaccine record.

Science Minister said India is the world’s largest vaccine producer and supplier by volume and announced a new phase of the India–CEPI partnership on next-generation vaccines [PIB].

Back Story

What has Ind-CEPI delivered?

India’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, GEMCOVAC-19, which got Emergency Use Authorisation.
An inactivated Chikungunya vaccine candidate in Phase II/III trials.
Nanocage-based vaccine candidates for Monkeypox and pan-sarbecoviruses at advanced pre-clinical stage.
BRIC-THSTI Bioassay Laboratory: one of CEPI’s 17 centralised network labs; over one lakh samples tested.
PACT programme: online training for over 2,400 participants from 14 countries.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on the India-CEPI partnership?

CEPI = Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; India is a founding member.
Ind-CEPI Mission implemented by BRIC-THSTI and BIRAC.
GEMCOVAC-19: India’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Awareness in biotechnology

As per PIB (2026-09-13): science Minister said India is the world's largest vaccine producer and supplier by volume and announced a new phase of the India–CEPI partnership on next-generation vaccines.
Vaccine capacity is a pillar of India's health diplomacy and pandemic preparedness.

Quotable data point
Science Minister said India is the world's largest vaccine producer and supplier by volume and announced a new phase of the India–CEPI partnership on next-generation vaccines.
PIB: Science & Technology: India–CEPI partnership, 13 Sep 2026

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

GEMCOVAC-19, developed with support of the Ind-CEPI Mission, is

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB, 13 Sep 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is CEPI?

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a global coalition working on vaccines and preparedness for future epidemics; India is a founding member.

What share of global vaccines does India make?

Nearly 60 per cent of global vaccine production, supplying more than 100 countries.

What is GEMCOVAC-19?

India's first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, developed under the Ind-CEPI Mission, which received Emergency Use Authorisation.