BITS Pilani fosters research on hazardous microorganisms and genetically engineered organisms with the aim to advance scientific understanding and fulfil the societal needs.  As per the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India guidelines, IBSC is constituted by all institutions handling hazardous microorganisms and/or genetically engineered organisms. This committee is the nodal point for implementation of the biosafety guidelines and for the interactions within the institution. The committee comprises of chairperson nominated by the Head of the Institution, Scientists engaged in the recombinant DNA work, a medical doctor and a nominee of the DBT. The IBSC of BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus is a registered regulatory Institute level committee approved by the DBT.

The GMOs and resulting products are regulated in India in accordance with the “Rules for the manufacture, use/import/export and storage of hazardous microorganisms/ genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989” (commonly referred as Rules, 1989) notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) (Formerly Ministry of Environment and Forests; MoEF), Government of India, under the Environment (Protection) Act (1986). These Rules were revised by the DBT as “Regulations and Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research and Biocontainment, 2017” for achieving personnel and environmental safety in the use of GMOs in research, manufacture and applications. For gene edited plants, the “Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Genome Edited Plants, 2022” and “Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for regulatory review of genome edited plants under SDN-1 and SDN-2 categories, 2022” notified by the DBT will be applicable.

IBSC, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus is regularly conducting meetings for project approvals. The tentative time for meeting will be March and October every year.