Kerala named Bacillus subtilis its State Microbe, the first Indian state to choose one. It also opened its Centre of Excellence in Microbiome to the public. Bacillus subtilis is a helpful bacterium found in soil, fermented food and the human gut. It forms heat-resistant spores, is widely used as a model organism in biotechnology, and supports gut health by strengthening the intestinal lining and suppressing harmful germs.