2 Min Series 20 November 2025

 20^th November 2025

1. BIRSA 101: Recently, India launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, named BIRSA 101.

• About BIRSA 101: Therapy is dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, marking his 150th birth anniversary.
• Initiative aims to make India a Sickle Cell–Free Nation, especially benefiting tribal populations heavily affected by the disease.
• Marks a major milestone in Atmanirbhar Bharat and India’s capability in low-cost, world-class genomic medicine.
• Developed by CSIR–IGIB, capable of replacing global treatments costing ₹20–25 crore.
• CRISPR therapy works like precise genetic surgery, enabling long-term cures for hereditary disorders.
• Public–Private Partnership strengthened as CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India (SIIPL) sign technology transfer agreement.
• Serum Institute commits to making gene therapy affordable and accessible for all, especially the poor.
• Reaffirms India’s shift from import-dependent to global leader in cutting-edge biomedical technologies.

2. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace: Recently, Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and ex-UN Human Rights Chief, received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development (2024).

• About Indira Gandhi Peace Prize: It was established in 1986 by a trust named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• It is officially called the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development.
• The award includes a cash prize of ₹25 lakh along with a citation.
• It is conferred annually on individuals or organizations without distinctions of nationality, race, or religion.
• The prize recognizes exceptional contributions toward:
• Promoting international peace, disarmament, racial equality, and global harmony.
• Strengthening economic cooperation and supporting a new international economic order.
• Advancing the development of developing nations.
• Ensuring that advances in science and modern knowledge serve the broader interests of humanity.
• Expanding human freedom and enriching the human spirit.

3. CE20 Cryogenic Engine: Recently, ISRO successfully conducted a bootstrap-mode start test on the CE20 cryogenic engine at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility in Mahendragiri.

• Key Highlights: The test was under vacuum conditions for 10 seconds.
• CE20 powers the upper stage of the LVM3 rocket, India’s heaviest operational launcher.
• This achievement is crucial for enabling multiple in-flight restarts on future LVM3 missions, improving mission flexibility and supporting multi-orbit deployments.
• Currently, the CE20 engine uses a stored-gas start-up system, requiring separate gas bottles for each restart — reducing payload capacity.
• Bootstrap mode start eliminates the need for external start-up systems, allowing the engine to build up thrust independently.
• The test used a multi-element igniter in both the thrust chamber and gas generator to enable self-sustained ignition.
• ISRO successfully demonstrated steady-state operation of a cryogenic gas-generator cycle engine without auxiliary systems — an achievement possibly first in the world.

4. NITI Aayog: Recently, NITI Aayog released a detailed report titled “Water Budgeting in Aspirational Blocks”, marking a significant national step toward strengthening local water security and advancing data-driven, community-centred water management.

• Key Highlights: Water Budgeting is defined as a structured method to estimate water demand across sectors like humans, livestock, agriculture, and industry.
• Assessment conducted for 18 Aspirational Blocks across 11 States and 8 agro-climatic zones.
• Report provides customised recommendations for improving drinking water sustainability in each block.
• Uses Varuni, a web-based water budgeting platform, to support integrated and data-driven water management at the block level.
• Focus on involving local communities to improve water availability and associated livelihood and health outcomes.
• Water budget identifies block-wise demand–supply gaps, challenges, and specific interventions to enhance water security.
• Tool enables a shift from reactive to proactive water management, using digital governance and outcome-based planning.
• Supports India’s long-term goals under Viksit Bharat@2047, especially water sustainability and climate resilience.
• Study integrates field data and platform-based analysis to identify hotspots of water consumption and plan efficient usage.

5. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI): Recently, India slipped by 13 positions in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026 rankings, moving from 10th to 23rd place.

• About Climate Change Performance Index is released by Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International.
• The index evaluates major emitters based on four key parameters: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, Renewable energy, Energy use and Climate policy
• The CCPI has been published annually since 2005.
• In the 2026 edition, Denmark, the UK, and Morocco emerged as the top performers.
• Among G20 nations, China (54th), Russia (64th), the US (65th), and Saudi Arabia (67th) ranked the lowest with “very low” scores.
• India’s overall score stands at 31, placing it in the ‘medium performer’ category this year.
• India’s ranking dropped due to its status as one of the largest global producers of coal, oil, and gas.
• India received medium ratings in GHG emissions, energy use, and climate policy, and a low rating in renewable energy progress.

6. Codex Alimentarius Commission: Recently, India was chosen again with full support to represent Asia on the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

• Key Highlights: The new term will continue until the 50th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC50) in 2027.
• In this role, India will: Present technical and trade priorities of Asian countries in global food standards discussions.
  • Participate in deliberations on Codex efficiency, future challenges, and technology adoption.
  • Supervise the development of international food standards between full commission sessions.
• About Codex Alimentarius Commission: An international intergovernmental body responsible for creating global food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.
• It was established in May 1963 by the FAO and WHO.
• Organisational structure includes: Executive Committee (CCEXEC): Oversees standard-setting work between commission meetings.
  • General Subject & Commodity Committees: Develop standards for areas like pesticides and analytical methods.
  • Regional Coordinating Committees: Support coordination at the regional level.
• Primary aim: To ensure consumer health protection and promote fair practices in international food trade.

7. Gene-Editing Technology: Recently, Indian scientists developed a new indigenous gene-editing (GE) technology using TnpB (Transposon-associated proteins) as an alternative to the proprietary CRISPR-Cas9/Cas12a systems.

• Key Highlights: ICAR has been granted a 20-year Indian patent for this technology titled “Systems and Methods for Targeted Genome Editing in Plants.”
• The TnpB-based GE tool functions like “molecular scissors,” similar to CRISPR, enabling precise DNA cuts and targeted gene alterations in plants.
• Key advantage: TnpB proteins are far smaller (400–500 amino acids) compared to Cas9 (1,000–1,400 aa) and Cas12a (≈1,300 aa).
• Compact size allows easier delivery into plant cells using viral vectors; avoids cumbersome tissue-culture-based delivery needed for bulky Cas proteins.
• TnpB used by team (408 aa) was sourced from Deinococcus radiodurans, a bacterium known for surviving extreme environments.

8. Tetrachloroethylene: Recently, new research showed that Tetrachloroethylene, a chemical widely used in dry cleaning and household products, may triple the risk of liver diseases.

• About Tetrachloroethylene: A clear, colorless, volatile liquid with an ether-like smell.
• Non-combustible and insoluble in water.
• Also known as perchloroethylene, PCE, perc, tetrachloroethene, and perchlor.
• Health Impacts: High exposure can cause: Dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, Lack of coordination, confusion, Nausea, unconsciousness and in extreme cases, death
• Applications: Commonly used as a degreasing agent in industrial and household settings.
• Primary solvent in the dry-cleaning industry.
• Serves as a chemical intermediate and is present in some consumer products.

9. Tiled Body Structures: Recently, a study published in PNAS Nexus revealed that tiled body structures, consisting of solid pieces separated by soft joints, are far more common across life than previously believed.

• Key Findings: Researchers created a biological definition of tiling, noting that natural tiles are rarely edge-to-edge and usually separated by soft joints.
• A comprehensive database of 120+ examples was built; 100 clear cases were analysed across viruses, plants, arthropods, molluscs, echinoderms, and vertebrates.
• Each example included ~70 traits, covering tile material, joint composition, tile shape, overlap pattern, size, and packing density.
• Tiled architectures range from nanometre-scale virus capsids to turtle shell plates measuring several centimetres.
• Recurring structural motifs emerged: many organisms use mineral-protein or sugar-protein combinations and simple shapes arranged in grid-like patterns.
• Distinct material preferences emerged: Protostomes → sugar + protein
• Deuterostomes → minerals + protein
• Plants → sugars + lignin or other polymers
• Overlapping tile patterns — familiar from fish scales and reptile armour — were especially common among deuterostomes.
• Study raises key questions about tile size limits, material-pattern constraints, and the ecological pressures shaping these repeating structures.