In the last 24 hours, India has seen a series of significant developments with implications for its strategic capabilities, economic landscape, and governance. These events are crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations.
Defence and Security Enhancements
India successfully conducted the test-firing of its nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi-II and Agni-I, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha, on July 17, 2025. These tests, carried out by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), validated all operational and technical parameters, reinforcing India's credible minimum deterrence posture and indigenous missile production capabilities.
Further bolstering its naval capabilities, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Nistar, the first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel, in Visakhapatnam on July 18, 2025. This vessel, with over 80% indigenous content, is crucial for supporting diving operations.
Economic Growth and New Initiatives
India continues to be highlighted as a global economic powerhouse. A recent report by Morgan Stanley projects India to remain the fastest-growing economy among all countries it covers, forecasting real GDP growth at 5.9% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026.
Adding to the positive economic sentiment, the Dun & Bradstreet Global Business Investment Confidence Index reported that India registered the highest year-on-year growth in investment confidence among 32 economies surveyed for Q3 2025, with a strong 12.6% increase.
In terms of new government initiatives, the Union Cabinet approved the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) on July 16, 2025. This scheme, with an outlay of ₹24,000 crores per year, aims to transform agriculture and allied sectors by merging 36 existing schemes and focusing on 100 low-performing districts.
Additionally, the Union Government launched the ADEETIE scheme (Assistance for Deployment of Energy Efficient Technologies in Industrial Establishments) with a budget of ₹1,000 crore. This scheme, implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), aims to boost energy efficiency, particularly in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Tesla also marked its entry into the Indian market by inaugurating its first showroom in Mumbai's BKC, debuting the Model Y.
Governance, Legal, and Social Developments
President Droupadi Murmu presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25 at a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on July 17, 2025. Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai secured the top three positions in the "Super Swachh League," recognizing sustained excellence in cleanliness. Bhopal, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad were declared the new generation of top clean cities.
In a significant legal development, the Bombay High Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, dismissing a petition that challenged the law as being ultra vires and violative of fundamental rights.
Maharashtra became the first state in India to grant agricultural status to livestock and poultry farming, aiming to bring animal husbandry farmers on par with crop cultivators and provide them access to subsidies and lower tariffs.
Gujarat launched India's first-ever Tribal Genome Sequencing Project (TGSP) on July 16, 2025, to create a comprehensive genetic database to understand and tackle inherited diseases among tribal communities.
In education, India showcased its academic prowess by winning two gold and two silver medals at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025, held in Dubai, ranking 6th globally among 90 participating nations.