India-UK Free Trade Agreement Signed
In a significant boost to bilateral trade, the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement (FTA), also known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was officially signed on July 25, 2025. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal lauded the agreement as "game-changing," stating that it is expected to benefit every section in India, including farmers, youth, the MSME sector, and industry. This landmark agreement will enable India to ship 99% of its exports to the United Kingdom duty-free. The signing took place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Officials and industry participants anticipate that duty-free access to the U.K. under this FTA will drive foreign direct investment into India, particularly due to local sourcing norms mandating that only goods made in India would be eligible for tariff reductions.
India-Maldives Relations See Diplomatic Reset
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maldives on July 26, 2025, marked a crucial diplomatic turnaround, strengthening political and economic ties with the island nation. During the visit, India and Maldives signed eight key bilateral agreements, including a Line of Credit of ₹4,850 crore for infrastructure development, a 40% reduction in Maldives' annual debt repayment burden to India, and the integration of India’s UPI and RuPay digital payment systems. The two nations also discussed a potential Free Trade Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty. PM Modi inaugurated several India-funded infrastructure projects, such as 3,300 social housing units and road and drainage systems, and gifted 72 vehicles and defense equipment to the Maldivian Ministry of Defence. This visit is seen as a significant step in countering the previous "India Out" rhetoric and reaffirming India's role as a trusted development partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
Supreme Court Issues Guidelines on Student Mental Health
The Supreme Court of India on July 26, 2025, issued sweeping guidelines to educational institutions nationwide to address the alarming rise in student suicides, terming the growing mental health crisis a "systemic failure." The judgment, delivered by a two-judge bench, mandates a uniform, enforceable mental health policy applicable to all schools, colleges, universities, hostels, and coaching centers. This intervention comes amid increasing reports of suicides among students, particularly in high-pressure academic environments, with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reporting 13,044 student suicides in 2022. The Court emphasized that education should liberate rather than burden learners, advocating for holistic growth over mere grades and rankings.
Other Key Developments
- India commemorated the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26, 2025, honoring the Indian Armed Forces' victory in the 1999 Kargil War.
- The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), India's flagship social security scheme, crossed a major milestone of over 8 crore total gross enrollments as of July 2025.
- Seventeen Members of Parliament were honored with the Sansad Ratna Awards 2025 for their exemplary parliamentary performance.
- Prof. Uma Kanjilal was appointed as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
- Ajay Seth was appointed as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).