IGIA Airport in Delhi ranks among the top 10 hub airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, according to the Airports Council International (ACI APAC & MID). It is the only Indian airport to feature in the list. The airport provides connections to 153 destinations.

 

-------------------------------------

Mumbai is ranked 6th globally and 1st in the Asia-Pacific region for under-construction data centre capacity, according to Cushman & Wakefield 2025. The city has 335 MW of data centre capacity currently under development.

 

-------------------------------------

On June 3, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu introduced three significant regulations for Ladakh. These included the Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation which entitles locals to 85% reservation in public jobs, and the Hill Councils Amendment which ensures 33% reservation for women in Leh and Kargil. The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation recognises English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as official languages, endorsing native languages like Shina, Brokskat, and Balti. These regulations aim to boost local empowerment, cultural heritage, and women's representation in governance.

 

-------------------------------------

On 9th June 2025, Puducherry adopted the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), becoming the 19th legislature in India to do so. Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan inaugurated the digital platform, which aids paperless legislative functioning. The introduction of NeVA, supported entirely by central funding, contributes to the Digital India vision by promoting real-time legislative transparency, livestreaming, and saving paper. It represents a move towards "One Nation, One Application", enhancing eco-friendly governance, citizen accessibility, and institutional efficiency.

 

-------------------------------------

 

India has been ranked 131st among 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, scoring a gender parity rate of 64.1%. The reason for this low ranking is primarily the reduced representation of women in politics.

 

-------------------------------------

 

In the Impact Rankings of 2025, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and LPU were India's leading entries, ranked 41 and 48 respectively, among India's total 135 entries. JSS Academy and Shoolini University also earned spots in the top 100. These rankings evaluated the universities' performance in relation to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

 

-------------------------------------

India has slipped to the 71st position in the Global Energy Transition Index 2025, from the previous rank of 63, according to the World Economic Forum. Despite improvements in clean energy utilisation and efficiency, limitations in energy equity and grid reliability have led to this decline.

 

-------------------------------------

In the 2025 UN Sustainable Development Goals Index, India ranked 99th, scoring 67 and appearing in the top 100 for the first time. The nation made significant progress in healthcare, digital access and infrastructure, contributing to its improved global standing.

 

-------------------------------------

India has witnessed the 3rd highest growth in global power generation capacity over the past five years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This growth has been spurred by urbanisation and industrial growth. A significant contribution has also come from renewable energy sources, particularly solar power.

 

-------------------------------------

The 2025 list of 360 ONE Wealth Creators in India features young entrepreneurs under 40, chiefly dominated by the Ambani siblings, Nikhil Kamath, and Bhavish Aggarwal. The collective total wealth of these individuals is approaching a staggering ?100 trillion.

 

-------------------------------------

The TRAI Telecom report Q1 2025 shows that India had 1.2 billion total subscribers, generating a gross revenue of ?98,250 crore. There was noted high ARPU and a surge in data consumption. The report highlights strong growth in 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

 

-------------------------------------

Canara Bank has abolished the Average Monthly Balance requirement for all savings bank accounts, including salary and NRI types, hence removing related penalties. This measure, aimed at promoting financial inclusion, will benefit a broad customer base. Founded in 1906, Canara Bank operates over 9,800 branches worldwide with a strong presence in rural areas.

 

-------------------------------------

Deutsche Bank has named Stefan Schaffer the CEO of Deutsche India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC). In addition to this, Schaffer also holds the roles of Global CIO for Corporate Functions and Head of Global Technology Centres. This move highlights Deutsche Bank’s dedication to technological innovation and standardisation, as well as to its India operations which support global functions across finance, technology, risk, and operations with a workforce of 20,000. Schaffer's previous experience in Bucharest shows the bank's push towards a unified digital presence globally.

 

-------------------------------------

On 1 June 2025, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced a $10 billion urban transformation initiative in India. The ambitious 5-year strategy encompasses enhancements to metro networks, RRTS corridors, and urban infrastructure across over 100 cities. Funded by sovereign loans, private capital, and the Urban Challenge Fund, the project further incorporates $3 million technical assistance for project planning. ADB's focus is evidently on skill development, women’s empowerment, and inclusive urban growth, aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat @ 2047 mission.

 

-------------------------------------

State Bank of India (SBI) has significantly bolstered the government's non-tax revenue by contributing a dividend of ?8,076.84 crore for FY 2024-25, marking an increase from the previous year's ?6,959.29 crore. This substantial payment was officially handed over to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by SBI Chairman C.S. Setty. The increased dividend underscores SBI's strong financial performance with a ?15.90/share dividend and reaffirms its crucial role in fiscal resource mobilization.

 

-------------------------------------

Scapia has partnered with Federal Bank to introduce India's first dual-network credit card, the Scapia Federal RuPay Credit Card, which combines Visa and RuPay. The card offers UPI compatibility, zero forex markup, Scapia Coins, and airport lounge benefits for both domestic and international use. This introduction aligns with Scapia's 2025 Summer Release platform upgrades, including AI recommendations, bespoke fare choices, and reward enhancements, marking a significant milestone in India's fintech evolution.

 

-------------------------------------

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has greenlit a $109.97 million loan to bolster Gujarat’s Skills Development Program, aiming to boost technical education, foster inclusive employment, and escalate industrial competitiveness. This initiative will modernise training infrastructure, introduce industry-relevant courses, and enhance governance at institutions such as Kaushalya: The Skill University. The programme is structured to nurture a future-ready workforce.

 

-------------------------------------

DFCC Bank PLC, a prominent Sri Lankan financial institution, has become the first foreign corporate to list a green bond on India's NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City. This LKR 2.5 billion bond, earlier listed in Sri Lanka and on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, aims to finance solar energy projects aligning with Sri Lanka’s renewable goals for 2030. Adhering to ICMA Green Bond Principles, the bond supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Affordable and Clean Energy and Climate Action.

 

-------------------------------------

SBI General Insurance has enlisted Mohd. Arif Khan as Deputy CEO to guide the company's growth and innovation phase. With over 25 years of experience at SBI, Khan brings knowledge in retail banking, digital systems and leadership training, aiming to enhance customer experience, drive technological innovation and broaden SBI General's presence in emerging markets. Khan's multiple certifications and academic accolades reflect SBI General's endeavour for excellence in insurance services and leadership transformation.

 

-------------------------------------

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has provided ?17.02 crore to the families of 26 defence and paramilitary martyrs under the Rakshak Plus Scheme by June 11, 2025. The scheme offers comprehensive insurance benefits to uniformed personnel, including ?1 crore accidental cover and ?1.5 crore air accident cover, and it also supports partial disabilities. The initiative by PNB is aimed at honouring the sacrifices of Indian soldiers, ensuring their families are supported, and underscoring the bank's role in nation-building.

 

-------------------------------------

The RBI's enhanced liquidity stress testing framework is a noteworthy advancement in enhancing the financial system's ability to withstand shocks. The central bank aims to cultivate a resilient, transparent, and future-prepared financial ecosystem by including NBFCs, UCBs, and its own portfolio in stress test models and incorporating climate transition risk. Furthermore, the implementation of a Growth-at-Risk model will better coordinate monetary policy with possible macroeconomic vulnerabilities.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is preparing to reassess its inflation targeting framework and required liquidity levels in FY26, due largely to concerns over fluctuating food prices. There are increasing talks about adopting core inflation as a more reliable benchmark for monetary policy. Additionally, RBI intends to enhance liquidity management to maintain a surplus of around 1% of NDTL, facilitating smoother policy transmission. This move emphasises the central bank's dedication to financial stability, price control, and growth through a robust policy framework.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved PayPal Payments and Worldline ePayments India to function as cross-border payment aggregators (PAs). This decision is in compliance with an RBI directive from October 2024, which mandated that these companies secure independent authorisation rather than operating under the old OPGSP model. This move is anticipated to greatly aid India's freelancers, SMEs, and exporters, bolstering India's digital economy and its global trade participation.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has effectively managed the withdrawal of ?2,000 notes, with a return rate of 98.26% observed by 31 May, 2025. Originating from the 2016 demonetisation, these high-value notes are currently under phased eradication in line with the Clean Note Policy due to ageing currency stock and low usage. RBI offices and India Post continue to offer exchange or deposit services. This measure has been perceived as a significant stride towards efficient currency management and minimisation of unaccounted cash reserves.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) levied 353 penalties amounting to ?54.78 crore on various regulated entities during the fiscal year 2024-25. The penalties were related to non-compliance with cybersecurity, exposure norms, IRAC guidelines, KYC norms, and fraud/data reporting. Cooperative banks were most heavily penalised (264 times), followed by NBFCs, HFCs, and commercial banks. This indicates RBI's increasing emphasis on regulatory enforcement, transparency, and risk management in the Indian banking system.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a draft proposal on 9 April 2025, proposing revised rules for lending against gold, with the objective of bringing consistency across financial institutions and rectifying discrepancies. The surge in gold loan activities, principally among banks, instigated these guidelines. They are aimed at increasing borrower safety, maintaining transparency, and standardising lending norms. However, concerns have emerged about possible disturbances to rural credit, mainly impacting small-scale borrowers in southern India.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its gold loan guidelines, raising the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio to 85% for loans up to ?2.5 lakh, but limiting it to 80% for ?2.5–5 lakh and to 75% beyond ?5 lakh. These changes, effective from April 1, 2026, aim to enhance credit accessibility for smaller borrowers and tackle the issue of increasing Non-performing Assets (NPAs) in the sector. The decision incorporates feedback from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and stipulates stricter collateral valuation, quicker gold return, and protective measures against misleading advertisements.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated a special scheme promoting original Hindi book writing within the realms of economics, banking, and finance. This offer, providing recognition and financial rewards, is open to UGC-recognised professors, both in-service and retired. Eligible books should be written in Hindi, have a minimum of 20 pages, and be published between 1 April, 2024 and 31 March, 2025. Applications must be submitted by 30 June, 2025.

 

-------------------------------------

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made amendments to its gold loan LTV norms, now permitting a higher loan-to-value ratio of up to 85% for small loans. Effective from 1st April 2026, this initiative is predicted to considerably aid Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), particularly those with a massive proportion of loans under ?5 lakh. As per Crisil Ratings, these revised rules provide more lending flexibility and counterbalance new LTV computation regulations that incorporate accrued interest in bullet repayment loans.

 

-------------------------------------

Major global institutions have released diverging forecasts for India's FY26 GDP growth. The OECD reduced its projection to 6.3% due to potential U.S. tariffs, a weak monsoon, and global trade tensions. Conversely, UBS increased its forecast to 6.4% due to expected support from stronger private consumption, tax relief, and potential RBI rate cuts. Both institutions concurred that public investment and lower interest rates will continue to bolster economic activity, despite the OECD warning of a broader global economic slowdown with growth predicted at just 2.9%.

 

-------------------------------------

Nomura has adjusted India’s GDP forecast to 6.2%, noting a disparity between robust indicators like GST collections and weaker trends in sectors like automobile sales and bank credit growth. This contrasts with RBI's projection of 6.5%. Despite a careful growth outlook, Nomura has increased its Nifty 50 target to 26,140, expressing confidence in India's macroeconomic resilience. BofA Securities has also reaffirmed a positive long-term view on Indian equities, citing continuous structural reforms and digitisation progress.

 

-------------------------------------

The World Bank has preserved India's FY26 GDP forecast at 6.3%, keeping it as the fastest-growing major economy globally. The report attributes India's robust services sector, low inflation rates, and the Reserve Bank of India's monetary easing as growth catalysts. Commending India's fiscal discipline, it underlined a medium-term aim to lower the public debt-to-GDP ratio to 50% by FY31. This comes as many world economies are experiencing growth downgrades due to trade conflicts, policy uncertainty, and stagnant investment.

 

-------------------------------------

India's unemployment rate increased to 5.6% in May 2025, mainly due to a seasonal decrease in rural farm employment post-harvest. The situation has particularly impacted youth and women, with female labour force participation dropping to 27.8%. This trend highlights existing structural issues with generating sufficient and inclusive employment in rural areas. There has also been a notable rise in urban and rural youth unemployment, indicating the need for concentrated employment creation strategies.

 

-------------------------------------

Indian Railways has successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered coach at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. This part of the "Hydrogen for Heritage" project involves converting diesel power cars into hydrogen fuel cell systems and setting up a hydrogen refuelling station in Haryana. The effort, led by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), aligns with India’s strategy to achieve energy independence and become a global hub for green hydrogen production by 2070. Hydrogen fuel, with zero emission energy and high energy density, allows for the decarbonisation of heavy-duty sectors like transportation, steel and cement production.

 

-------------------------------------

TEMA India, a Mumbai-based company, has inaugurated India's first private heavy water testing facility. The facility will manufacture and test distillation columns to upgrade depleted heavy water, crucial for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Traditionally, this task was handled by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), but shifting to the private sector intends to reduce project timelines by 1-2 years. Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide, plays a key role in nuclear reactors, acting as a coolant and moderator while requiring 99.9% purity.

 

-------------------------------------

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually on 26th July in India to honour soldiers' bravery in the 1999 Kargil War. In 2025, the Indian Army launched initiatives including an e-shradhanjali portal, a QR code-based audio app sharing war stories, and a new Line of Control (LoC) viewpoint at the Batalik sector. The war began when Pakistani troops occupied strategic heights in Kargil, leading the Indian Army to launch Operation Vijay, with the IAF and Navy launching Operation Safed Sagar and Talwar respectively. Memorials in Dras, Ladakh and Delhi honour the successful operations and major conflicts.

 

-------------------------------------

India's first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project has been initiated in Gujarat with the aim to map the genetic profile of tribal populations and identify potential genetic health risks such as Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia. Managed by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, the project plans to sequence the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts. This process of Genome Sequencing, which helps determine the exact order of nucleotide bases in an individual's DNA, can reveal insights into potential disorders and facilitate personalised healthcare.

 

-------------------------------------

Yakten, a village in Sikkim’s Pakyong district, has been declared India's first digital nomad village under the 'Nomad Sikkim' initiative. This program is aimed at fostering sustainable tourism, remote job opportunities, grassroots entrepreneurship, and adheres to the Sikkim CM's "One Family, One Entrepreneur" scheme. The initiative targets the transformation of areas in Sikkim into sustainable hubs for digital professionals, both nationally and internationally, and provides an income for homestay hosts during the off-season. Facilities include high-speed Wi-Fi, eco-friendly practices, and a zero-waste management system.

 

-------------------------------------

India celebrated National Flag Day on 22nd July 2025, marking the adoption of the Indian National Flag by the Constituent Assembly in 1947. The flag, commonly known as Tiranga, has evolved over years from its first design in 1904 by Sister Nivedita to the present design largely attributed to Pingali Venkayya in 1947. It consists of three horizontal stripes - saffron representing the nation's strength and courage, white signifying purity, truth, and peace, and green symbolising fertility, growth, and prosperity. The Ashoka Chakra, based on the wheel from the Sarnath Lion Capital, signifies justice and the cycle of life.

 

-------------------------------------