Science and Technology & Space
India is on track to unveil its first indigenously produced semiconductor chip in 2025, as stated by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This marks a significant step towards self-reliance in critical technology. The nation also demonstrated its defense capabilities with the successful test-firing of nuclear-capable Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles, alongside a high-altitude trial of the Akash Prime missile. Further bolstering its technological prowess, India achieved a breakthrough in quantum communication with the successful demonstration of Quantum Entanglement-Based Free-Space Quantum Secure Communication by the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Delhi. In space, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian to enter the International Space Station (ISS), with his return to Earth also noted. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite is anticipated to launch by the end of July. Additionally, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed a 5.56x45 mm CQB Carbine and, in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar, unveiled India's first indigenous low-cost carbon fibre foot prosthesis.
Economy and Finance
India's economic outlook remains robust, with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) projecting real GDP growth between 6.4% and 6.7% for FY26, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing major economy globally. Morgan Stanley echoed this sentiment, forecasting India's real GDP growth at 5.9% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026, despite a predicted global economic slowdown. New financial regulations came into effect on July 1, 2025, including stricter GST return filing rules where GSTR-3B will no longer be editable post-submission, aiming to enhance digital transparency and tax compliance. In a move to ease the financial burden on citizens, the Bihar Cabinet approved 125 units of free electricity for 1.67 crore domestic consumers. The CII also suggested calibrated disinvestment of public sector enterprises to generate significant funds for public capital expenditure and debt reduction. Meanwhile, Tesla marked its entry into the Indian market by opening its first showroom in Mumbai.
National Security and International Relations
In a significant development for national security, India welcomed the United States' decision to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a global terrorist organization, emphasizing a "zero tolerance towards terrorism" stance. The Indian Navy commissioned its first indigenous diving support vessel, 'Nistar,' highlighting the country's push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Internationally, the European Union imposed sanctions on Nayara Energy, an Indian refinery, as part of its broader sanctions against Russia, to which India's External Affairs Ministry reiterated that India does not accept unilateral measures. Tensions between India and Pakistan persisted, with the temporary suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir being a prominent issue. On the diplomatic front, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss bilateral cooperation and engagement within multilateral frameworks like BRICS and the SCO.
Governance and Policy
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), a comprehensive agricultural transformation program with an annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore for six years, targeting 100 underperforming districts to boost farm productivity. In legal news, the Law Minister reaffirmed Parliament's constitutional right to remove judges amidst discussions surrounding Justice Varma. Recent Supreme Court judgments covered a range of issues, including the exercise of quasi-judicial power, judicial review, and notably, the reinstatement of a tribal woman judge. New appointments included Nitin Gupta as the Chairperson of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad as the Acting Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. Furthermore, the government introduced policy reforms aimed at enhancing the "Ease of Innovation" and "Ease of Doing Research," providing greater procurement autonomy and raising financial ceilings for research institutions. In urban governance, Vijayawada was ranked the fourth cleanest city in India in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 (cities with over 10 lakh population), while Bengaluru significantly improved its ranking to 36th.