India experienced a dynamic 24 hours with pivotal announcements across defence, urban development, and social welfare sectors.
*Defence and Security*
The Indian Army successfully tested the indigenous air defence system 'Akash Prime' in Ladakh. This surface-to-air missile, manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited, demonstrated its capability to effectively strike targets at high altitudes, including in the Himalayan region. In a significant maritime achievement, India's first indigenously built Diving Support Vessel, INS Nistar, was commissioned at Visakhapatnam. Additionally, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received the second GE F404 engine, crucial for powering India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1A, as part of a 2021 deal for 99 engines. The United States also designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to recent attacks, as a foreign terrorist organization.
*Urban Development and Cleanliness*
The Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards were announced, recognizing cities for their urban cleanliness. Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai once again secured the top three positions in the "Super Swachh League" category for cities with a population of over 10 lakh. Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow were declared the new generation of top clean cities, while Prayagraj received recognition as the Best Ganga Town.
*Government Initiatives and Policies*
In a major pre-election announcement, the Bihar government approved a scheme to provide up to 125 units of free electricity per month to 1.67 crore domestic consumers, effective August 1, 2025. The Union Government launched the ₹1,000 crore ADEETIE scheme (Assistance for Deployment of Energy Efficient Technologies in Industrial Establishments) to promote energy efficiency in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated infrastructure projects worth ₹7,200 crore and flagged off four Amrit Bharat Trains in Bihar. Furthermore, the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutes (NSCSTI) 2.0 framework was launched to upgrade civil services training in India. The Union Government also notified the transfer and repatriation of 18 High Court judges.
*Economy and Finance*
Fintech firm EximPe received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB), aiming to streamline international e-commerce transactions. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the VCF Settlement Scheme 2025 to resolve compliance issues for Venture Capital Funds. In a significant recognition, the State Bank of India (SBI) was adjudged the World's Best Consumer Bank for 2025 by Global Finance magazine. However, the European Union imposed sanctions on India's Nayara Energy refinery (Vadinar) as part of its measures against Russia, prompting India's External Affairs Ministry to caution against "double standards" in energy trade.
*Science and Space*
Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully returned to Earth on July 15, 2025, after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, where he conducted various scientific experiments. India also observed AI Appreciation Day on July 16, highlighting the nation's progress and role of Artificial Intelligence.
*Other Key Developments*
The Tata Group announced the establishment of a ₹500 crore welfare trust for the victims of the Air India plane crash. The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) launched the 'Gyanodaya' Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Publishing, aligning with the National Education Policy.