Breakthrough! CSIR to Launch Sickle Cell Test Kit Under Rs 100, Results in 30 Minutes
Pune, 19th July 2025: In a major development toward affordable healthcare diagnostics, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is set to launch a low-cost, PCR-based screening kit for sickle cell anaemia within the next six months. The test, which requires only a single drop of blood, has been developed by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), a premier laboratory under CSIR.
CSIR Director-General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi shared this announcement while speaking at the National Scientists’ Round Table Conference 2025, hosted by MIT World Peace University in Pune on Friday.
“The kit can detect sickle cell anaemia in under 30 minutes and will be available at a price point of ₹87 to ₹93,” Dr. Kalaiselvi said. “We aim to make it accessible through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, ensuring affordability and ease of distribution.”
According to Dr. Kalaiselvi, the screening tool is the outcome of collaborative efforts involving institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other CSIR-affiliated labs. The initiative aligns with the government’s larger goal of early diagnosis and management of genetic disorders, particularly in rural and tribal populations where the disease burden is higher.
AI in Healthcare Research
The CSIR chief also emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence in scientific research. “AI is proving to be a powerful tool across various CSIR laboratories. It holds immense potential for revolutionizing healthcare diagnostics and treatment planning,” she said, adding that the fusion of technology and healthcare could significantly reduce turnaround time and improve accuracy in disease detection.
Startups by Scientists Gaining Momentum
Dr. Kalaiselvi also spoke about the growing culture of entrepreneurship among Indian researchers. “There’s a strong push to encourage scientists, especially the younger generation, to explore startup ventures. Senior researchers are supporting them in translating lab innovations into commercially viable solutions,” she noted.
Highlighting this shift, she said, “Young scientists today have the drive and passion to take their ideas forward. These spin-off startups are helping India build a robust innovation ecosystem.”
She concluded by stating, “As India works toward the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, it’s evident that science, technology, and innovation will be the true engines of national progress. This silent scientific revolution must be supported at every level.”
Conference Brings Together Scientific Luminaries
The National Scientists’ Round Table Conference 2025 has drawn participation from across the country, including 36 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and INSA laureates, directors of leading scientific institutes, prominent academicians, and top researchers from both academic and industrial backgrounds.
