BIRSA 101

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), organized a workshop on “BIRSA 101”, India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), at CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi on 14th May 2026 under the ongoing celebrations of Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026.

“BIRSA 101”, named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, marks a significant milestone in India’s emerging biotechnology and genomic research ecosystem.

The initiative advances the Government of India’s continued efforts towards the elimination of Sickle Cell Disease, which disproportionately affects tribal populations across several regions of the country.

Source: PIB