India witnessed a flurry of significant developments over the last 24 hours, with key announcements impacting trade, energy, employment, and governance, all highly relevant for competitive examinations.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement Signed
A major highlight is the formal signing of the India-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on July 24, 2025, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This comprehensive trade pact aims to eliminate duties on 99% of Indian exports to the UK and reduce tariffs on UK goods entering India. The agreement is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, with projections indicating an increase of about $34 billion annually and a doubling of trade volumes by 2030. Indian professionals are also set to benefit from eased visa rules and social security waivers. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal termed the FTA "game-changing," asserting it would benefit all sections of India, including farmers, youth, MSMEs, and industry.
India Achieves 20% Ethanol Blending Target Early
In a significant stride towards energy security and clean energy transition, India has successfully achieved its target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol in 2025, five years ahead of the initial 2030 deadline. This achievement, which saw the blending level rise from 1.5% in 2014, has resulted in substantial savings of ₹1.36 lakh crore in foreign exchange and a reduction of CO₂ emissions by 698 lakh tonnes. The increased ethanol production, primarily from sugarcane, has also provided ₹1.18 lakh crore to farmers, boosting rural incomes and the biofuel industry.
PM Modi Becomes Second-Longest Serving Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a historical milestone by officially becoming India's second-longest serving Prime Minister, completing 4,078 consecutive days in office on July 25, 2025, surpassing Indira Gandhi's record. He is also noted as the first non-Congress PM to serve two full terms.
New Policies and Schemes for Cooperation and Employment
The Union Ministry of Cooperation unveiled the National Cooperation Policy – 2025, designed to be a guiding framework for the cooperative movement from 2025 to 2045. This policy marks a transformative moment aimed at strengthening India's cooperative sector. Concurrently, the Labour Ministry announced the rollout of the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) from August 1, 2025. This employment-linked incentive scheme, with an outlay of ₹99,446 crore, aims to incentivize the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs over two years, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector and first-time employees.
National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 Introduced
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports introduced the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. This bill aims to establish a structured regulatory framework to infuse transparency, discipline, and international alignment into India's athletic ecosystem. Key objectives include bringing all recognized sports bodies under the Right to Information Act, mandating athlete representation in governing bodies, and introducing safeguards against harassment and abuse.
Economic Outlook and Green Initiatives
India's economy continues to show resilience, with the RBI projecting 6.5% GDP growth for FY 2025-26, supported by strong domestic demand and government capital expenditure. Retail inflation in June 2025 fell to 2.1%, strengthening the case for further monetary easing. In a move towards green transportation, India's first Hydrogen-Powered Train Coach was successfully tested. Additionally, India marked a historic achievement in global mobility, registering its biggest-ever jump in the Henley Passport Index 2025, improving its position from 85th to 77th.
These developments collectively highlight India's proactive stance in fostering economic growth, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening its institutional frameworks, all of which are crucial aspects for competitive exam aspirants.