Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi was one of the first six Universities in India to initiate a Postgraduate teaching and research programme in the field of Biotechnology in 1985. Since 1985, it was running as the Special Centre for Biotechnology (CBT) under the joint sponsorship of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. To begin with, it was started to initiate Biotechnology education programme with an impetus to generate a workforce that could turn into a substantially trained pool to meet the country's demands. Considering the growth of Biotechnology at an international level, its applications in general spheres of life and the significant contributions made by the faculty of the Centre for Biotechnology, the Executive Council of JNU resolved to elevate the status of the Special Centre for Biotechnology to that of a School of Biotechnology (SBT) in 2006. Over the years, Biotechnology programme at JNU has established itself as a leading academic programme both from the teaching and research point of view. The faculty of the School is internationally recognized for their contribution to basic and applied aspects of Biotechnology research.