The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has launched the BHARAT Study - short for Biomarkers of Healthy Aging, Resilience, Adversity & Transitions - to build India's first comprehensive baseline for ageing-related health markers . Combining multi-omics analysis (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, epigenomics, metagenomics) with lifestyle, environmental, clinical, and cognitive data, the project seeks to identify how Indians age uniquely .

The initiative forms part of IISc’s broader Longevity India program, funded by ICMR and supported by industry partners, with the aim of increasing healthspan - not just lifespan . The BHARAT Baseline phase will map physiological norms and early indicators of organ ageing - such as liver and immune function - within Indian contexts .

By establishing country-specific benchmarks, the study addresses the limitations of Western-centric biomarker data—such as Vitamin B12 or CRP levels-that often misrepresent Indian health . Ultimately, the BHARAT study aims to inform preventive health strategies, personalized diagnostics, and policy frameworks to support India’s rapidly ageing population, projected to reach 319 million aged 60+ by 2050