This past week, India saw significant developments across various sectors, from the economy and governance to cultural milestones, scientific advancements, and international relations, alongside important news concerning health and defense.
Reports and Indices Highlight Progress
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that India’s Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) improved to 67 in March 2025, up from 64.2 last year. This index, ranging from 0 to 100, measures financial access, usage, and quality across the country.
A World Bank report, “Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India,” in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, estimates India needs $2.4 trillion by 2050 for climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The report warns of potential annual flood losses of $5 billion by 2030 and a doubling of heat-related deaths by 2050 if adaptation measures are not taken.
In global rankings, India climbed eight spots to 77th in the Henley Passport Index, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations. Singapore holds the top spot, offering visa-free travel to 193 countries.
Key Policy and Governance Updates
A parliamentary panel has called for an immediate review and replacement of the administration of the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), a key think tank under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a new national cooperative policy, replacing the 23-year-old existing one. This initiative, under the ‘Sahakar se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) vision, follows the creation of a separate Ministry of Cooperation in 2017. India’s first national cooperative university, Tribhuvan Sahkari University, recently had its foundation stone laid in Gujarat.
On Kargil Diwas, July 26, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched the ‘Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana’ to provide free legal aid to the families of soldiers, including ex-servicemen and serving personnel.
Cultural Richness and Historical Insights
Himachal Pradesh’s Trans-Giri region showcased ‘Jodidaran,’ a polyandrous tradition practiced by the Hatti tribes, who were granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2022. This custom helps preserve undivided family land. Despite polyandry being outlawed by general laws, customary laws among STs are recognized under Article 342 of the Constitution.
The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple hosted its annual Aadi Thiruvadhirai festival, marking 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I’s legendary maritime expedition to Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also released a commemorative coin featuring the Chola emperor. The Chola Empire, which emerged in the mid-9th century under King Vijayalaya Chola, left a rich legacy of inscriptions and grants.
Separately, the Paika Rebellion, an important 1817 uprising, is set to be included in the second volume of the latest Class VIII NCERT history textbook, addressing concerns over its initial omission.
International Economic Cooperation
India and the UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, aiming to boost annual trade volume to around $34 billion. This landmark agreement includes duty cuts for UK-origin alcohol and allows UK firms to participate in Indian government tenders with Class Two ‘Make in India’ status.
Environment and Agriculture Focus
The Union Agriculture Minister urged states to stop the “forced tagging” of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants with conventional fertilisers. Biostimulants, which enhance plant processes and yield, were brought under the 1985 Fertiliser Control Order in 2021, leading to the formation of the Central Biostimulant Committee.
Advancements in Science and Defence
ISRO plans to launch three new navigation satellites (NVS-03, NVS-04, NVS-05) by next year for its Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC. This will strengthen India’s regional Global Navigation Satellite System, which provides both standard and restricted services.
The Indian Army has received three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing, part of a six-helicopter contract. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force’s Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets are set to be phased out by September, with the indigenously developed Tejas Mark-1A aircraft slated as their replacement.
Health Developments
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed AdFalciVax, a promising chimeric recombinant vaccine candidate for malaria. This vaccine uses specific proteins and an alum adjuvant to trigger an immune response, offering a new approach compared to existing malaria vaccines like RTS,S and R21, which have lower efficacy.
Notable Personalities in the News
Gita Gopinath, the first deputy managing director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced her departure to return to academia. Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, a founding member of the CPI(M) and former Kerala chief minister, passed away at 101. Ajay Seth has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and Uma Kanjilal became the first woman Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
Significant Places in Focus
A border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia flared up, centering on the 11th-century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, a UNESCO World Heritage site claimed by both nations. The temple is located along their shared border.
China announced plans for the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, sparking criticism from lower riparian states like India and Bangladesh. The Yarlung Tsangpo, known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam, takes a significant “Great Bend” near the Indian border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently offered prayers at the ancient Shiva temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site regarded as a pinnacle of Chola architecture, built by Rajendra Chola I as his capital.
Sporting Achievements
India’s four-member student delegation achieved remarkable success at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025 in Dubai, securing two gold and two silver medals. India ranked sixth in the overall medal tally among 90 participating countries.
