The groundbreaking PI-CHeCK study is building India's first comprehensive health database by Indians, for Indians, revolutionizing personalized medicine.
Explore the ResearchImagine a future where your medical treatment isn't based on global averages but on predictive models fine-tuned for your genetic makeup, lifestyle, and even your gut microbiome. This isn't science fiction—it's the ambitious goal of the Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase (PI-CHeCK) 2 4 .
Samples Collected
CSIR Laboratories
Cities Across India
Cardio-metabolic diseases—including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and fatty liver—have reached epidemic proportions in India. What makes these conditions particularly challenging is their complex interplay of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors 2 .
"There is liberal evidence that they fail to work well for the Indian population due to ethnic diversity, varied dietary and lifestyle patterns, and altered risk profiles" 2 .
Launched on December 7, 2023, this pioneering project has already hit a significant milestone—successfully collecting over 10,000 samples from volunteers across the CSIR community, surpassing its initial target 1 6 .
PI-CHeCK represents the first pan-India longitudinal study specifically designed to develop prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases 4 . Unlike snapshot studies that capture health data at a single moment, this long-term cohort study will track participants over several years 3 8 .
The study focuses on the CSIR family—employees, pensioners, and their spouses across 37 laboratories nationwide 3 5 . This isn't a random choice; the CSIR community represents a remarkable microcosm of India's diversity, with participants from 17 states and 24 cities 6 .
December 2023 - June 2024
Project launched; 10,000+ samples collected from CSIR employees, pensioners, spouses across 24 cities
July - August 2025
Camps at CSIR-SERC Chennai and CSIR-CFTRI Mysuru with ~530 total participants
Mid-2026 (scheduled)
Expanded data collection and analysis with higher enrollment expected
What sets PI-CHeCK apart is its unprecedented comprehensiveness in data collection, generating what researchers call "multi-parametric data"—a comprehensive health fingerprint 2 .
Medical history, dietary habits, physical activity to understand behavioral risk factors
Body composition, grip strength, lung function to assess functional health
Liver elastography, ECG, skin health analysis to detect early signs of disorders
CBC, liver/kidney function, lipid profile, HbA1c to evaluate metabolic health
Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome to identify biomarkers
AI and machine learning algorithms to mine patterns and connections
| Data Category | Specific Measurements | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical & Lifestyle | Medical history, dietary habits, physical activity | Understand behavioral risk factors |
| Physical Measurements | Body composition, grip strength, lung function | Assess functional health and fitness |
| Organ Scanning | Liver elastography, ECG, skin health analysis | Detect early signs of organ-specific disorders |
| Blood Biochemistry | CBC, liver/kidney function, lipid profile, HbA1c | Evaluate metabolic health and disease markers |
| Molecular Assays | Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome | Identify biomarkers and molecular mechanisms |
Using Global Screening Arrays to analyze Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) across the genome, helping identify genetic variants associated with disease risk in Indian populations 2 .
Applying Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) to measure hundreds of proteins and metabolites in blood plasma, creating molecular signatures of health and disease states 2 .
Sequencing bacterial RNA from fecal samples to understand how gut microbes influence metabolism and disease development 2 .
Using specialized scanning technology to measure liver stiffness without invasive biopsies, crucial for detecting fatty liver disease 2 .
Detecting trace elements and minerals in biological samples to understand their role in metabolic processes 2 .
All collected samples are securely stored at the CSIR Biobank at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in Delhi, which operates under strict anonymity protocols to protect participant privacy 5 . This biobank, inaugurated as the "National Biobank" in July 2025, serves as the backbone for India's longitudinal health studies 8 .
The ultimate goal of this massive undertaking extends far beyond data collection. Researchers plan to use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to mine this rich dataset for patterns and connections that would be impossible to detect through conventional analysis 2 5 .
"The ability to predict the health trajectories of individuals based on their personalized risk scores can help formulate a preventive roadmap - of a disease or its complications" 2 .
This means that in the near future, a 40-year-old Indian might receive a personalized risk assessment suggesting specific dietary changes, screening schedules, or preventive treatments based on their unique genetic makeup, lifestyle, and molecular profile—not generalized population guidelines.
The project also aims to establish India-specific normative values for various health parameters, which could revolutionize how doctors interpret everything from liver function tests to metabolic markers 4 . Currently, many diagnostic thresholds in India are based on Western populations, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or late detection of conditions.
| Key Objectives | Potential Impacts | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Develop India-specific risk prediction algorithms | More accurate disease prevention strategies for Indian populations | 2024-2026 |
| Create a biorepository for future research | National resource for scientific discovery and drug development | Established by 2025 |
| Establish normative values for health parameters | Improved diagnostic accuracy for Indian patients | 2025 onwards |
| Enable precision medicine through AI/ML analysis | Personalized treatment plans based on individual risk profiles | Ongoing |
| Catalyze similar initiatives across India | Nationwide improvement in healthcare planning and delivery | Long-term impact |
As PI-CHeCK progresses through its planned five-year timeline, it represents more than just a research study—it's the foundation for a healthcare transformation in India. By developing targeted diagnostic and prognostic technologies specifically validated for Indian populations, the project paves the path for precision medicine made in India, for India 4 .
The study stands as a powerful example of India taking charge of its health destiny, moving away from borrowed medical models toward evidence-based, personalized approaches rooted in local data 1 7 .