Archive · 15 Jan 2026
India's First State-Funded BSL-4 Lab in Gujarat
India is building its first state-funded BSL-4 lab in Gujarat.
This lab is like a super-safe room where scientists can study very dangerous diseases.
It will help them learn about diseases like Ebola and Nipah, and maybe even find ways to stop them.
The lab is being built with strict safety rules and will be a big help in fighting diseases that can spread from animals to people.
It's a big step for India to be better prepared for health emergencies.
India's first state-funded BSL-4 lab is being built in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, at a cost of ₹362 crore.
The lab will study deadly pathogens like Ebola, Marburg, and Nipah viruses under extremely controlled conditions.
It will include BSL-4, BSL-3, BSL-2, ABSL-4, and ABSL-3 laboratory modules, complying with international standards.
The lab is expected to enhance India's health security and aid in the development of vaccines and therapeutics.
Currently, India has only one civilian BSL-4 lab in Pune and one defense BSL-4 lab in Gwalior.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC)
- What
- Foundation stone laid for India's first state-funded BSL-4 lab in Gujarat
- When
- January 13, 2026
- Where
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Why
- To enhance health security, conduct research on deadly pathogens, and develop vaccines and therapeutics
- Location
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Cost
- ₹362 crore
- Area
- 11,000 square meters
- Pathogens Studied
- Ebola, Marburg, CCHF, Kyasanur Forest Disease, Nipah viruses
- Funding and Control
- Fully funded and controlled by Gujarat state government
- Existing BSL-4 Labs in India
- National Institute of Virology (Pune), DRDO (Gwalior)
- Global BSL-4 Labs
- 69 operational or under development
- Current High-Security Animal Labs in India
- ICAR-NIHSAD (Bhopal), ICAR-ICFMD (Bhubaneswar)