National Developments:
In a significant stride for India's defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two flight tests of the indigenously developed Pralay missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. These tests are crucial for strengthening the Armed Forces against various threats.
The aftermath of the recent Pahalgam attack saw Home Minister Amit Shah confirm the elimination of the terrorists involved. Evidence found at the site, including Pakistani voter ID numbers, reportedly linked the perpetrators to Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the "Operation Sindoor" and clarified India's stance amidst international discussions.
In a notable institutional development, the foundation stone for India's first national cooperative university, Tribhuvan Sahkari University, was laid in Anand, Gujarat. This initiative is expected to bolster the cooperative sector in the country.
Economically, the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Financial Inclusion Index showed an improvement, rising to 67 in March 2025 from 64.2 in March 2024. This index measures the extent of financial inclusion across the nation, indicating greater access, usage, and quality of financial services. Furthermore, a World Bank report highlighted that Indian cities would require an estimated $2.4 trillion by 2050 to develop climate-resilient infrastructure and services, underscoring the scale of urban development challenges. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) also marked its 19th Foundation Day by launching 14 new scientific tools aimed at enhancing India's climate resilience.
The nation mourned the passing of eminent Indian-born economist and author, Meghnad Desai, who passed away at the age of 85.
International Relations:
India and the United Kingdom formalized the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a landmark deal projected to increase the total trade volume between the two nations to approximately $34 billion annually. As part of this agreement, India has for the first time permitted duty cuts for various UK-origin alcoholic beverages.
In a diplomatic outreach, an official from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) met with ministers in Damascus, marking India's first direct engagement with Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy Chief commenced a four-day visit to Japan, aimed at strengthening defense and maritime cooperation between the two countries. Internationally, France and the UK have announced their intentions to recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations in September, a move reflecting growing global pressure for formal recognition.
Sports Highlights:
In the world of chess, Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming the first Indian woman champion in the FIDE Women's World Cup, earning her the prestigious Grandmaster title. In badminton, the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty re-entered the Top 10 in the BWF World Rankings.