- POLITY
Judicial and Legislative Developments
- Justice B.R. Gavai as CJI: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025, by President Droupadi Murmu, is overseeing key cases. His six-month tenure until November 23, 2025, includes hearings on the Places of Worship Act and the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, shaping India’s legal framework.
- Tamil Nadu Governor-State Tensions: Ongoing friction between Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and the state government continues, highlighted by his walkout from the Legislative Assembly in January 2025 over the national anthem issue, reflecting center-state polity challenges.
- Chief Election Commissioner Bill: The Lok Sabha is deliberating the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Bill to reform the appointment process, a critical issue for electoral integrity.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Discussions: The Rajya Sabha is addressing this bill, proposing comprehensive reforms to India’s criminal justice system, signaling legislative modernization.
- Tamil Nadu’s Women Safety Laws: Amendments introduced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the Tamil Nadu Assembly strengthen punishments for crimes against women, reinforcing state-level gender justice policies.
- Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill: Under discussion in the Lok Sabha, this bill aims to streamline media regulations, sparking debates on press freedom and governance.
2. National Issues
Social and Political Priorities
- Manipur Ethnic Strife: Continued ethnic violence in Manipur remains a national concern, impacting governance and prompting discussions on administrative and security reforms.
- Child Marriage Eradication: The ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ campaign, launched nationally, intensifies efforts to eliminate child marriage, addressing a pressing social issue.
- Urbanization Challenges: Rapid urbanization in India is under scrutiny, with calls for sustainable infrastructure to tackle housing, sanitation, and pollution issues in cities.
- Education Data Insights: The UDISE+ Data 2023-24 highlights gaps in educational access and quality, fueling policy debates on education sector reforms.
- Disability Rights Implementation: Discussions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act focus on ensuring accessibility and inclusion through the role of State Commissioners.
- Cultural Unity Initiatives: The Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0, held in February 2025, promotes Tamil-Kashi cultural ties, aligning with the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat vision.
3. International
India’s Global Diplomacy
- India-Chile Bilateral Ties: Four MoUs signed during Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s visit to India in early 2025 strengthen trade, technology, and cultural exchanges, enhancing India’s outreach in Latin America.
- BRICS Summit Follow-Up: India’s role in the 16th BRICS Summit (2024) continues to shape its stance on global economic and geopolitical issues, particularly with emerging economies like Iran.
- Chagos Archipelago Transfer: The UK’s transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius raises strategic concerns for India’s interests in the Indian Ocean, prompting diplomatic engagement.
- Russia’s Visa-Free Travel: Russia’s announcement of visa-free travel for Indians starting in 2025 boosts tourism and strengthens India-Russia ties.
- India’s E-Passports Launch: The introduction of biometric e-passports aligns India with global travel standards, enhancing border security and international mobility.
- Global Defense Dynamics: The France-Poland defense treaty’s mutual defense clause is being monitored by India for its implications on global security alignments.
4. Economy
Economic Policies and Trends
- Aadhaar Transaction Milestone: Aadhaar authentication transactions surpassed 150 billion, with 210 crore transactions in April 2025, driving India’s digital economy and financial inclusion.
- RBI’s Regulatory Actions: The Reserve Bank of India fined Deutsche Bank AG (₹50 lakh) and Yes Bank (₹29.60 lakh) for non-compliance, reflecting stringent financial oversight.
- Tamil Nadu’s Semiconductor Ambitions: Tamil Nadu’s Global Investors Meet in 2025 emphasized semiconductor growth, with policy discussions led by experts like Chris Miller, author of “Chip War.”
- PLI Scheme Expansion: Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across 14 sectors, including electronics and automobiles, continue to boost manufacturing and exports.
- Green Steel Initiative: India’s new framework for green steel production supports sustainable industrial growth, aligning with net-zero goals.
- Smartphone Export Surge: India’s rise as the third-largest smartphone exporter globally underscores economic diversification and manufacturing strength.
5. Defence
Strengthening National Security
- Operation Sindoor Success: The Indian Armed Forces’ joint airstrike, Operation Sindoor, on May 6-7, 2025, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK, retaliating for the Pahalgam attack, showcasing India’s defense resolve.
- Akashteer System Efficacy: The indigenous Akashteer Air Defence System neutralized threats during recent India-Pakistan tensions, bolstering air defense capabilities.
- Drone Detection System: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a contract with the Indian Army for the DRDO-developed Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS), enhancing aerial threat countermeasures.
- BrahMos Production Boost: The new BrahMos facility in Lucknow, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, strengthens India’s missile production capacity.
- Sagar Defence Milestone: Sagar Defence Engineering’s autonomous surface vessel completed a 1,500-km journey from Mumbai to Thoothukudi, advancing naval technology.
- BEL’s AI Innovations: BEL secured ₹572 crore in orders for AI-based solutions for ships and software-defined radios, reinforcing defense modernization.
