NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered a new moon of Uranus, named S/2025 U1.
On 29 September 2025, India and Bhutan agreed to establish their first-ever cross-border railway projects, with a total investment of ₹4,033 crore, fully funded by India.
The projects include the 69 km Kokrajhar–Gelephu line costing ₹3,456 crore and the 20 km Banarhat–Samtse line costing ₹577 crore. The rail links will connect Bhutanese cities Gelephu and Samtse to India’s railway network at Kokrajhar (Assam) and Banarhat (West Bengal).
The initiative follows an MoU signed during PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan last year. Officials emphasized that the projects reflect the deep trust, cultural ties, and developmental partnership between India and Bhutan, with India being Bhutan’s largest trading partner and key contributor to its modernization.
The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on June 6, 2025 has reduced the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%.
Consequently:
The rate cut is expected to lower external benchmark lending rates (EBLR), possibly leading banks to reduce lending rates.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the move aligns with the CPI inflation target of 4% ±2%, while also promoting economic growth.
Inflation forecast for FY26 revised to 3.7% (earlier: 4%)
GDP growth forecast for 2025–26 is retained at 6.5%, despite concerns over geopolitical tensions and weather uncertainties.
The next MPC meeting is scheduled from August 4 to 6, 2025.
On 30 May 2025, the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune conducted the Passing Out Parade of its 148th course at Khetarpal Ground, marking a historic milestone with the commissioning of the first-ever batch of women cadets into the Indian Armed Forces.
The event was graced by General V.K. Singh (Retd.), Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of Army Staff, along with NDA Commandant Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar. General Singh described the occasion as a matter of national pride and a step forward in gender inclusion and military modernization.
Honours awarded at the event:
The parade was attended by dignitaries, families, and senior military officials, celebrating both tradition and a new chapter in the NDA’s legacy.
Union Budget 2026–27 is India’s 80th budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1st February 2026. It emphasizes fiscal discipline, infrastructure push, reforms in taxation, and youth-centric growth.
Pixxel Space, a Bengaluru-based startup backed by Google, launched its first private satellite constellation, Firefly, on January 14, 2025, using a SpaceX rocket from California.
Key Features: Firefly consists of six satellites, making it the world’s highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral imaging constellation. The satellites observe Earth in over 150 spectral bands, capturing detailed data for various applications.
Applications:
Future Plans: Three additional satellites to be launched in the next two months and Expansion to a 24-satellite constellation by 2029.
The technology enables precise detection of chemical, biological, and environmental changes, marking a major advancement in hyperspectral imaging.
Anish Dayal Singh, 1988-batch IPS (Manipur cadre) and former DG of CRPF & ITBP, has been appointed as Deputy NSA under Ajit Doval.
🔎 Significance: His appointment strengthens India’s internal security strategy with expertise in counter-insurgency, intelligence, and reforms.