The iGEM competition began in 2003 as a month-long course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It eventually expanded over the years, with around 450 teams taking part in the 2019 edition. IIT-Madras has a long history with iGEM as well, having taken part in more than 10 editions since 2008, and has received many accolades at the international stage including, four gold medals, five silver medals, the Best Foundational Advance project, and Best New BioBrick Part or Device, Engineered in 2008, A Safety Commendation, Asia in 2011, Best New BioBrick Part, Natural, Asia in 2011, Best Human Practices Advance, Asia in 2013 and a nomination for Best Education and Public Engagement in 2019.

Won the "Science Contibution award” and “Industry Advisory award” and “Funny innovation award” at IDEC

iGEM Indian league won the GRAND PRIZE

The team received a silver medal at the iGEM Giant Jamboree in 2016, a silver medal at the iGEM Giant Jamboree in 2017, a Gold medal at the iGEM Giant Jamboree in 2018. The team also received a silver medal and was nominated for “Best Education & Public Engagement” for the Language Project in 2019. In 2021 they reached the Semifinals from ~ 30 teams that applied in the Synbio Power Pitch and won a Gold medal and the award for the Best Computational Project in GOGEC.