+ND+A India Positive: Week 47
Indigenous Gene Therapy, Gigawatt Data Centers, Tigers Thrive, Cheetahs Return, $17B AI Investment and much more...
Deep Science & Indigenous Innovation
CSIR-IGIB Launches India’s First Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy: BIRSA 101
On November 19, 2025, the Union Minister of Science & Technology launched BIRSA 101, India’s first indigenously developed CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease. Developed at CSIR–Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB), this breakthrough demonstrates India’s capability to produce advanced therapies at a fraction of global costs, potentially replacing treatments priced at ₹20–25 crore overseas with affordable indigenous solutions.
Named in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda (whose 150th birth anniversary was observed this week), the therapy is particularly significant for tribal communities in central and eastern India, where Sickle Cell Disease burden is highest. A technology transfer agreement has already been signed between CSIR-IGIB and the Serum Institute of India (Pvt. Ltd.), enabling translation of IGIB’s engineered enFnCas9 CRISPR platform into scalable, affordable therapies! This is fantastic news that not only elevates misery among the under-represented tribal communities but also marks India’s entry into the elite group of nations capable of developing cutting-edge gene-editing therapeutics.
CSIR unveil Multiple-ATMOS air purification device
Scientists at CSIR–Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) in Lucknow unveiled MultiPLE-ATMOS, a mobile air purification system designed to tackle urban air pollution and smog. Developed over two years at a cost of ₹5 lakh, the prototype reduced air pollutants by 83–94% during trials, treating up to 1,000 cubic metres of air per hour. The device integrates mechanical separation, photo-catalytic oxidation, and wet scrubbing to target all major pollutants under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards—including PM2.5, PM10, sulphur monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and toxic metals like lead and arsenic. Mounted on a four-wheel trolley for deployment at traffic junctions, industrial zones, and construction sites, MultiPLE-ATMOS aligns with the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Director Bhaskar Narayan stated the device is now ready for industrial adaptation and mass production, pending policymaker and industry collaboration for deployment in public spaces.
India in Space
India and ISRO take one more step towards manned Space Flight & Gaganyaan
ISRO achieved a historic milestone by successfully conducting the first-ever boot-strap mode start of a gas-generator cycle cryogenic engine under vacuum conditions. The CE20 engine, India’s largest cryogenic engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Kerala and powering the LVM3 rocket’s upper stage, was tested at the High-Altitude Test facility in Mahendragiri for 10 seconds. This breakthrough enables future LVM3 missions to execute complex orbital maneuvers and multi-orbit deployments with enhanced mission flexibility and improved payload capacity. Already qualified for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, the CE20’s boot-strap capability strengthens India’s indigenous space launch infrastructure.
India Launches Heaviest Communication Satellite
ISRO successfully launched CMS-03 (GSAT-7R), India’s heaviest communication satellite weighing 4,410 kg, from Sriharikota aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This marks the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle, which previously launched Chandrayaan-3.
CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite (C, Extended-C, and Ku bands) designed to provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass, specifically strengthening the Indian Navy’s space-based communications and maritime domain awareness capabilities.
CSIR and ISRO Strengthen Space Medicine Partnership
The CSIR–ISRO Space Meet 2025 was held on November 17, 2025 at Bengaluru to advance cooperation in human spaceflight research, microgravity studies, and space technology innovations.
Energy & The Green Transition
India Crosses 505 GW Power Capacity as Solar Leads Renewable Boom
ACME Solar Commissions 16 MW Wind Project Phase in Gujarat
ACME Solar Holdings announced on November 20, 2025 the commissioning of an additional 16 MW of its 100 MW wind power project in Surendranagar, Gujarat. This follows the first phase commissioning of 28 MW in October 2025, bringing the project’s operational capacity to 44 MW. The milestone enhances ACME Solar’s total operational capacity to 2,934 MW.
Inox Wind and KP Energy Partner for 2.5 GW Renewable Projects
On November 19, 2025, Inox Wind Limited [NSE: INOXWIND] signed a strategic MoU with KP Energy Limited [NSE: KPEL] to co-develop 2.5 GW of wind and wind-solar hybrid projects across multiple Indian states. Under the agreement, Inox Wind will supply wind turbine generators and associated equipment, while KP Energy will handle project development including land acquisition, connectivity, statutory approvals, and balance-of-plant execution.'
IKEA’s Ingka Investments Commits $112 Million to 210 MW Rajasthan Solar Project
German solar developer ib vogt entered a strategic partnership with Ingka Investments (the investment arm of IKEA) for a 210 MW subsidy-free solar project in Bikaner, Rajasthan, announced November 20, 2025. The facility is expected to generate approximately 380 GWh annually. This deal represents IKEA’s first renewable energy investment in India and signals rising international capital flows into India’s solar sector.
Green Hydrogen Developments
India’s Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVICs) received renewed government backing at the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2025) in November 2025. A cumulative investment of approximately ₹485 crore has been signaled for four clusters under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. At the conference on, India’s Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy declared that India is on track to command 10% of global green hydrogen demand by 2030.
Infrastructure, Economy & Defense
17 Electronics Projects Approved Under PLI Scheme
On November 17, 2025, the government approved 17 new projects under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for electronics components manufacturing, totaling an investment of ₹7,172 crore. This includes India’s first project from Jammu and Kashmir, marking the scheme’s expansion to previously underrepresented states.
Major projects include Aequs Consumer Products (₹1,500 crore investment targeting ₹7,669 crore output), Jabil Circuit India (₹957 crore), TE Connectivity India (₹612 crore), Uno Minda [NSE: UNOMINDA] (₹264 crore), and Syrma Mobility (₹250 crore).
102nd National Planning Group Meeting Reviews Key Infrastructure
On November 20, 2025, the 102nd National Planning Group (NPG) Meeting under PM GatiShakti evaluated three major infrastructure projects: one road/highway project from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and two rail projects. Key projects include:
New railway line between Fatuha–Mokama–Hathidah–Lakhisarai (Bihar) spanning approximately 113.77 km to enhance capacity and connectivity for major industrial establishments including Ultratech Cement, ACC Cement, NTPC Barauni, and SJVN Power Plant
Four-lane elevated corridor from Old Pune Naka to Boramani Naka on NH-65 in Solapur, Maharashtra, spanning 9.66 km under Bharatmala Pariyojana (Phase-I)
J Infratech Secures ₹116 Crores Highway Project in Assam
On November 19, 2025, J Infratech Limited received a letter of acceptance from NHIDCL for a ₹1.16 billion highway reconstruction project in Assam, with a four-month completion timeline. The project will reconstruct a key highway stretch serving as a vital link between major economic and industrial zones in Upper Assam.
INS Mahe
The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Mahe, an indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) shallow water craft, on November 24, 2025 at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the vessel boasts over 80% indigenous content and represents India’s advancing mastery in warship design, construction, and integration. Equipped with torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars, and sonars, Mahe combines firepower, stealth, and mobility for submarine hunting, coastal patrols, and maritime security. The first of eight Mahe-class vessels, the ship’s crest features the Urumi—the flexible sword from Kerala’s Kalarippayattu martial art—symbolizing agility, precision, and lethal grace.
Digital Public Infrastructure & Tech
TCS and TPG Announce $2 Billion AI Data Center Partnership
On November 18, 2025, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) [NSE: TCS] announced a landmark partnership with private equity firm TPG, securing $1 billion in funding as part of a $2 billion initiative to build gigawatt-scale AI data centers across India through a new entity called HyperVault.
TCS plans to develop approximately 1.2 gigawatts of capacity in its initial phase, with both partners committing up to ₹18,000 crore over the next few years. The project addresses India’s stark demand-supply gap for AI compute—the country generates nearly 20% of the world’s data but accounts for only about 3% of global data center capacity.
Google Announces $15 Billion AI Data Center Investment
Google announced plans to invest $15 billion over five years to establish an AI data center campus with 1-gigawatt capacity in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This marks Google’s biggest-ever investment in India and its first dedicated AI hub in the country.
RBI Announces UPI-TIPS Interlinkage with Europe
On November 21, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India announced the interlinking of UPI with the European Instant Payment System (TIPS), facilitating cross-border remittances between India and the Euro Area. This development is expected to benefit users and businesses in both regions by enabling seamless digital transactions.
Qatar Becomes 8th Country to Adopt UPI
Union Minister Piyush Goyal participated in the official launch of UPI in Qatar, making it the eighth country to adopt India’s digital payment system after Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. Indians are the second-largest group of international visitors to Qatar, directly benefiting from reduced cash dependence and currency exchange hassles.
Marvell Plans India Hiring Spree for AI Infrastructure
On November 20, 2025, U.S. chipmaker Marvell Technology announced plans to boost hiring and research spending in India to tap surging global demand for AI infrastructure. This aligns with India’s growing importance as a semiconductor design and AI hardware hub.
Biodiversity & Conservation (Flora/Fauna)
India Reiterates Global Leadership on Big Cat Conservation
On November 16, 2025, at an international conservation forum, India’s Environment Minister stated, “India doubled its tiger population ahead of the target timeline and our Asiatic lion population continues to grow well”. India now hosts approximately 75% of the world’s wild tigers (around 3,682 as of 2022, up from 1,706 in 2010), despite having only 18% of global tiger habitat and the highest human density among tiger-range countries.
Eight Cheetahs from Botswana Handed Over to India under Project Cheetah
During President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to Botswana in November 2025, Botswana formally announced the symbolic handover of eight African cheetahs to India under the flagship Project Cheetah conservation initiative. Announced during the bilateral discussions between President Murmu and President Duma Gideon Boko, five of the eight cheetahs were released into a quarantine facility at Mokolodi Nature Reserve with the remaining three to follow, before all arrive in India within a few months. Upon arrival in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, the cheetahs will undergo three months of quarantine before release into the wild. This expansion strengthens genetic diversity in India’s reintroduced cheetah population.