National Cleanliness Rankings: Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards Announced
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) recently conferred the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 Awards, marking the 9th edition of the world's largest urban cleanliness survey. Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai secured the top three positions in the newly introduced "Super Swachh League," recognizing sustained excellence in cleanliness. Vijayawada followed closely, securing the fourth position. Additionally, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Lucknow were declared the new generation of top clean cities. Prayagraj was honored as the Best Ganga Town. MoHUA also launched the "Swachh City Partnership Initiative" and the "Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Program" to further promote urban cleanliness.
Government Initiatives for Energy and Welfare
The Union Government has launched the `ADEETIE` (Assistance for Deployment of Energy Efficient Technologies in Industrial Establishments) scheme with a budget of ₹1,000 crore. Aimed at boosting energy efficiency, particularly in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the scheme will be implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and provides financial support through interest subvention on loans for adopting green technology.
In a significant welfare measure, the Bihar government announced free electricity for domestic consumers, providing up to 125 units of free electricity per month, effective from August 1, 2025. This policy is expected to benefit over 16.7 million households across the state.
Advancements in India's Space and Defense Sectors
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, 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. His mission, which included studies on microalgae and muscle cell behavior in microgravity, marks a significant milestone for India's human spaceflight program.
In defense, the Indian Army successfully tested the indigenous air defense system `Akash Prime` at an altitude of 15,000 feet in Ladakh, demonstrating its capability to strike targets effectively in high-altitude regions. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) also received the second GE F404 engine, crucial for powering India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1A. The Indian Navy commissioned its first indigenous diving support vessel, `Nistar`, and is participating in SIMBEX 2025, a bilateral naval drill with Singapore, marking the 32nd edition of the exercise.
Judicial and Social Developments
The Union Government has ordered the transfer and repatriation of 18 High Court judges across various states, following recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium. This move aims to ensure judicial impartiality and efficiency.
Gujarat has become the first Indian state to launch a Tribal Genome Sequencing Project. This initiative aims to improve healthcare for tribal communities through genetic research, focusing on the early detection of hereditary diseases. Separately, the Tata Group has set up a ₹500 crore welfare trust for the victims of the Air India plane crash.
Political Landscape and International Relations
Parties forming the `INDIA` bloc were scheduled to hold a key online meeting on July 19, 2025, to discuss the prevailing political situation and strategize for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has distanced itself from the alliance, stating it is no longer part of the INDIA bloc.
In international news, the European Union has imposed sanctions on India's second-largest refinery, Nayara Energy's Vadinar refinery, as part of its 18th set of sanctions against Russia.