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Economy
India's Q2 FY26 GDP grows 8.2 percent, a six-quarter high12
NSO data released on 28 November (discussed in December coverage) showed real GDP growth of 8.2 percent in July-September 2025, beating forecasts. Manufacturing grew 9.1 percent and H1 FY26 growth was 8.0 percent.
- Q2 FY26 (July-September 2025) real GDP growth: 8.2 percent, against 5.6 percent a year earlier
- Manufacturing growth 9.1 percent; construction 7.2 percent
- H1 FY26 growth 8.0 percent
- Data released by MoSPI on 28 November 2025
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Science and tech
CSIR-IGIB develops BIRSA 101, India's first indigenous CRISPR therapy for sickle cell345
CSIR-IGIB's BIRSA 101, described as India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, was launched by Minister of State Jitendra Singh in November 2025, with technology transferred to the Serum Institute of India.
- Launched mid-November 2025 by MoS (Science and Technology) Jitendra Singh
- Developed by CSIR-IGIB; named after tribal leader Birsa Munda; uses an indigenous Cas9 variant (enFnCas9)
- Technology transferred to the Serum Institute of India for manufacturing and trials
- Phase 1 trial done on three patients; IGIB director said it is not yet ready for market