Can Reliance’s Genomics Testing Break the Cost Barrier and Transform Indian Healthcare?
Just imagine if you went for a routine health check-up where a simple test dutifully scans your whole genome, and you are able to know about the underlying hidden potential disease-causing risk factors along with their treatment procedure, all for just the cost of a normal blood test. This is not just a far-off assumption anymore, but the new milestone towards which India has taken its steps. This cause is guided by Reliance Industries, where the decade-long expensive genomic testing will become accessible to the Indian population. This wave will change how health care decisions are made in the future.
The problem: powerful science, limited reach
Genomic testing has long been established as a diagnostic that helps in early diagnosis to provide better treatment methods along with individual-specific personalized care. With the help of genomic testing, doctors can easily identify the hidden risk factors for various diseases, as well as inherited factors, and also predict responses to drugs in patients, which helps in designing therapies in accordance with personalized medicine. But for a long time, this has been largely a pipe dream for the Indian populations. The DNA testing has only been able to reach a few select hospitals and wealthy patients due to its high price, which is often around ₹10,000 or more. This has left the field of precision medicine as the backdrop of the Indian healthcare system, leaving preventive care to be less utilized compared to others.
The news: Reliance’s genomics push
In the upcoming year, according to recent news and industry experts and executives, it was disclosed that Reliance is planning to do a nationwide rollout of low-cost genomic testing with the help of its healthcare ecosystem. As Reliance has just acquired Strand Life Sciences, they are in motion to present the genomic testing panels, or the targeted DNA testing panels, at the lowest price, below ₹1,000, which is one-tenth of its current market price. This move has yet again reminded people of their ringing telecom playbook: scale first, margins later, as this is the most ambitious push toward precision medicine in India.
What the early evidence shows
The model introduced by Reliance focuses on the particular clinically relevant region from the entire genome, which has the highest probability of being linked to the disease risk and its treatment response.
Key observations from pilots and early deployments include:
- Participants: Large and diverse patient groups opting for genomics testing via hospitals and digital health platforms.
- Approach: Targeted DNA testing using blood or saliva samples, analysed with AI-driven bioinformatics tools.
- Comparison: Conventional high-cost genomics testing versus automated, scaled testing workflows.
- Results: Reliable detection of major genetic markers associated with cancer risk and therapy response.
- Cost impact: Dramatic price reduction without eliminating clinical relevance, enabling wider access to precision medicine.
How it works:
Let’s think of the genome as a big, long manual filled with instructions. The previous genomic testing used to read through the whole manual, which, of course, gave an accurate result but was too expensive to use. Now, with the reliance model, we have a shortcut. It only reads the most important and likely linked chapters and applies the AI to interpret their patterns. This has made the testing way faster and more affordable, even for the common masses. This allows the large-scale genomic testing to be workable without hindering core clinical values.
Why it matters for healthcare:
Affordable genomics testing can help India’s healthcare system shift from reaction to prevention. People with a family history of cancer can access early diagnosis even before symptoms appear. This allows risks to be identified sooner and monitored effectively.
For clinicians, genomic testing adds a deeper layer of insight. It reduces trial-and-error during treatment decisions and supports more accurate therapy selection. Early use of genomics testing also strengthens precision medicine and helps lower long-term treatment costs.
Reliance’s strength lies in its ability to reach large populations. By integrating genomics testing with digital platforms and pharma networks, it can reach millions. This includes people who have never considered DNA testing as part of routine healthcare.
Limits and open questions:
This is not a cure-all. Genomics testing at scale raises concerns around data privacy, consent, and ownership. Scientifically, targeted tests may miss rare variants, and the long-term impact of population-wide DNA testing is still being studied. Precision medicine works best when paired with clinical interpretation and counselling.
Reliance’s entry into affordable genomics testing is a major step forward, not a miracle solution. It will not replace doctors or eliminate disease, but it does redefine what is possible. By lowering barriers to DNA testing and expanding access to precision medicine, this move could meaningfully reshape healthcare across India.
