National

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 24 June 2025 authorised the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs to issue joint instructions and orders applicable to all three armed services — Army, Navy, and Air Force.

This move represents a major step toward the modernisation and transformation of India’s Armed Forces.

According to the Defence Ministry, the change replaces the previous system, where each service issued separate instructions even on matters concerning multiple services.

The joint order aims to:

• Streamline procedures
• Eliminate redundancies
• Enhance cross-service cooperation

It lays the foundation for:

• Improved transparency and coordination
• Greater administrative efficiency
• A new era of jointness and integration in the Indian Armed Forces

This marks a unified approach to national defence and reinforces the Armed Forces’ unity of purpose.

The Government of India has extended the cut-off date for opting into the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to 30th September 2025, offering eligible individuals additional time to make an informed decision.

What is the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)?

The UPS is a newly introduced pension framework under the National Pension System (NPS), designed to provide assured pension benefits similar to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). It became operational on 1st April 2025 and was officially notified on 24th January 2025.

Who Can Opt for UPS?

The scheme is open to:

• Existing central government employees covered under NPS as of 1st April 2025
• New recruits joining on or after that date
• Past retirees and legally wedded spouses of deceased retirees

Key Features of UPS

• Assured monthly pension: 50% of the average basic pay of the last 12 months before retirement (for 25+ years of service)
• Minimum pension: ₹10,000/month for those with at least 10 years of service
• Family pension: 60% of the employee’s basic pay in case of premature death
• Inflation indexation: Applied to all pension components
• Gratuity: Lump-sum payment on superannuation, calculated as per old rules

Why the Extension?

The original deadline was 30th June 2025, but the government extended it by three months in response to requests from stakeholders seeking more time to evaluate the scheme.

INS Nilgiri, the first indigenously built stealth frigate under Project 17A, arrived at Visakhapatnam on 22 June 2025.

• Built in Mumbai, it will now serve as part of the Eastern Naval Command’s Sunrise Fleet.
• The ship’s motto is “Adrish Yabalam, Ajeya Shauryam” (Invisible Strength, Unconquerable Valor).
• More ships of the Project 17A class will be inducted soon to enhance Eastern Fleet capabilities.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, welcomed 285 Indian nationals who arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad, Iran, on a special flight on 22 June 2025.

• So far, 1,713 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu.
• 2–3 more evacuation flights are scheduled from Iran in the next two days.

The Indian Embassy in Iran is actively helping citizens relocate from conflict-hit areas to safer regions, coordinating evacuations accordingly. Indian nationals are advised to remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the 24/7 MEA Control Room in New Delhi for assistance.

On 21st June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Visakhapatnam, emphasizing that in today’s stressful world, Yoga offers a path to peace. He highlighted Yoga’s role in connecting the world, with 175 countries supporting India’s proposal to observe June 21 as International Yoga Day at the United Nations.

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Key Highlights:

• Theme: Yoga for One Earth, One Health
• Location: Stretch from RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam, Visakhapatnam
• Participants: Over 2.72 lakh people joined; the event aimed for a Guinness World Record for the largest yoga gathering.
• Guests Present: Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, Minister of AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, and other dignitaries.
• Special Features:
  • A 45-minute Yoga session led by PM Modi using the Common Yoga Protocol.
  • Fly-past by the Eastern Naval Command
  • Commemorative stamp released by the Department of Posts
  • Yogandhra campaign in Andhra Pradesh trained 2 crore people in yoga practices.

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PM Modi emphasized the growing scientific research on yoga in India’s top medical institutions, aiming to integrate yoga into the modern medical system. He urged citizens to adopt yoga daily as a means of building physical and mental well-being for a healthier future for all generations.

A Supreme Court-appointed inquiry panel has recommended removal proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court and former judge of the Delhi High Court, over serious misconduct allegations.

🔍 Key Allegations & Findings:

• A large amount of half-burnt cash was discovered after a fire incident on March 14, 2025, at his official residence in New Delhi.
• The cash was located in a storeroom at 30 Tughlak Crescent, under the active or covert control of Justice Varma and his family, according to the panel.
• The panel cited deliberate removal of evidence on March 15, based on witness testimony and electronic evidence.
• The misconduct violated the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” (1997), holding judges to the highest ethical standards.

👩‍⚖️ Inquiry Panel Members:

• Chief Justice Sheel Nagu (Punjab and Haryana High Court)
• Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh High Court)
• Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court)

📜 Next Steps:

• A 64-page report recommending impeachment has been submitted by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• If accepted, it may lead to a rare impeachment of a sitting High Court judge in India.

Amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, the Government of India has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran.

• In the first phase, 110 Indian students were safely evacuated from northern Iran to Yerevan, Armenia, and have now departed for New Delhi on a special flight.
• The operation is being coordinated by the Indian Embassies in Iran and Armenia, with gratitude expressed to both countries for facilitating the evacuation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reaffirmed that the safety of Indian nationals abroad is a top priority. The Indian Embassy in Tehran continues to assist citizens in moving from conflict zones to safer areas and will evacuate them as needed.

The Government will launch a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, starting 15th August 2025, to enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways.

• The pass will be valid for one year or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first.
• It is exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans.
• Announced by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who called it a transformative step for hassle-free highway travel.

A dedicated link for activation and renewal will be available on the Rajmarg Yatra App and official websites of the NHAI and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The policy:

• Addresses toll plaza issues within a 60 km range.
• Simplifies toll payment via a single affordable transaction.
• Reduces wait times, eases congestion, and minimizes disputes at toll plazas, offering a smoother travel experience for private vehicle owners.

A 90-member Indian Army contingent, led by the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, departed for Exercise Shakti-VIII, a joint Indo-French military exercise held from June 18 to July 1, 2025, at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in southern France. The French side is represented by the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade.

The biennial exercise focuses on joint operations in sub-conventional warfare under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, conducted in semi-urban terrain. It aims to enhance interoperability, tactical coordination, and operational understanding between the two armies through shared drills and training in modern military technologies.

Beyond military synergy, the exercise aims to strengthen strategic ties and camaraderie between India and France, reinforcing their growing defence partnership.

The Indian Navy is commissioning INS Arnala, the country’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on June 18, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. The ceremony is being presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

INS Arnala is the first of 16 ASW-SWC vessels being inducted and was delivered to the Navy on May 8, 2025. It is named after the historic Arnala Fort off the Maharashtra coast.

Designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (Kolkata) in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders, it features over 80% indigenous content, supporting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

The vessel is 77.6 meters long, weighs over 1,490 tonnes, and is the largest Indian naval ship with a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system. This commissioning enhances India’s coastal defence and strengthens its position as a self-reliant maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Government of India has officially notified the schedule for the upcoming Census, to be conducted in two phases.

• The reference date for the Census will be 1st March 2027, except for:
  • Ladakh,
  • snow-bound non-synchronous areas of Jammu & Kashmir,
  • and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where the reference date will be 1st October 2026.

Census Phases:

1. House Listing Operation – Information on housing conditions, assets, and amenities.
2. Population Enumeration – Collection of demographic, socio-economic, and cultural details.

• Caste enumeration will also be conducted in this Census.
• Around 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and 1.3 lakh Census functionaries will be deployed.
• This will be the 16th national Census and the 8th Census since Independence.
• The Census will be conducted digitally using mobile apps, and self-enumeration options will be available.
• Strict data security protocols will be enforced to protect data during collection, transmission, and storage.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the Medical Entrance exam NEET UG 2025 results on June 14, 2025. Score cards are available for download on the official website ntaneet.nic.in, where candidates can also check the merit list.

The NEET UG exam was conducted on May 4, 2025, with participation from over 22 lakh candidates across 5,400+ centres in 552 cities in India and 14 international cities.

• Topper: Mahesh Kumar (Rajasthan)
• 2nd Rank: Uttkarsh Awadhiya (Madhya Pradesh)
• 3rd Rank: Krishang Joshi (Maharashtra)

The exam witnessed wide-scale participation, reaffirming its status as the largest medical entrance test in India.

A tragic helicopter crash in Uttarakhand on the morning of June 15, 2025, claimed seven lives, including an infant and the pilot. The incident occurred in the Kedarnath–Guptkashi sector, near Gaurikund, between 5:30 and 5:45 AM, likely due to poor weather conditions.

The helicopter had taken off from Guptkashi at 5:10 AM, briefly landed at Kedarnath at 5:18 AM, and departed again at 5:19 AM. Preliminary reports suggest Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) as the cause, due to low visibility and heavy cloud cover.

Rescue operations are underway by NDRF and SDRF teams. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency meeting with officials from DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry.

In response:

• Aryan Aviation’s operations for the Char Dham Yatra have been suspended.
• Licenses of two TransBharat Aviation pilots were suspended for six months for flying in unsuitable weather.
• All helicopter operations in the region were halted on June 15 and 16.
• UCADA has been directed to conduct a comprehensive safety review and establish a real-time flight monitoring Command-and-Control Room.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation reiterated that aviation safety is paramount, directing DGCA to strictly enforce weather and operational protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.

The 17th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT concluded on June 13, 2025 at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh praised the professionalism and dedication of the Indian soldiers, highlighting the exercise as a symbol of the strong friendship and shared cultural ties between India and Mongolia.

The Indian Army contingent included 45 personnel, mainly from the ARUNACHAL SCOUTS battalion.

The two-week-long exercise focused on enhancing interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces in semi-conventional operations, particularly in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.

A devastating Air India crash on 12 June 2025 claimed 241 lives when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The flight had 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, has been confirmed.

The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani. Several individuals on the ground also lost their lives.

The pilot issued a ‘Mayday’ distress call shortly after takeoff at 1:39 PM. The aircraft was piloted by Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours). The Dreamliner had been delivered to Air India in 2014.

Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, expressed condolences and stated its readiness to support Air India and the investigation.

From 15 July 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will be mandatory for booking online Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website and app. The move aims to promote fair and transparent booking practices.

For Tatkal tickets booked at PRC counters or by authorised agents, OTP verification will be done using the mobile number provided at the time of booking.

To prevent misuse, IRCTC agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window:

• 10:00–10:30 AM for AC classes
• 11:00–11:30 AM for non-AC classes
  The Centre for Railways Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been instructed to implement these changes and inform all departments accordingly.

On 10 June 2025, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal announced that India met its peak power demand of 241 GW with zero shortage — a major milestone in the country’s energy sector. He highlighted that during 2024–25, India added its highest-ever generation capacity of 34 GW, including 29.5 GW from renewable sources.

Over the last 11 years under the Narendra Modi government, the power sector has made unprecedented progress, with a focus on service, good governance, and welfare. By the end of 2025, non-fossil energy sources are expected to exceed 50% of India’s total energy capacity.

The length of transmission lines has grown from 2.91 lakh circuit kilometers to 4.94 lakh circuit kilometers, significantly strengthening energy infrastructure.

Peak power demand has almost doubled from 130 GW to 250 GW in 11 years, with a forecast of 270 GW by year-end. At the same time, energy shortages have dropped sharply from 4.2% in 2013 to 0.1% last year.

Recent data shows a zero gap between power demand and supply, signaling India’s movement towards becoming a power-surplus nation.

India’s first underwater museum and artificial coral reef will be developed around the decommissioned warship INS Guldar near Nivati Rocks at Vengurla in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis virtually attended the project initiation.

The centrally supported initiative aims to promote marine conservation and tourism, featuring scuba diving and future submarine tours. The Union Tourism Ministry has approved ₹46.91 crore for the project.

INS Guldar, a 1,120-ton warship, was decommissioned in January 2024 and handed over to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. After completing environmental cleaning, the ship will be scuttled to serve as an underwater museum and coral reef site.

To unlock the value of operational National Highway assets and boost Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched its first-ever ‘Asset Monetization Strategy for the Road Sector’ on 9 June 2025.

• The strategy provides a structured framework to mobilize capital through Toll-Operate-Transfer (ToT), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and securitization models.
• These instruments have already helped NHAI raise over ₹1.4 lakh crore across 6,100 km of highways under the National Monetisation Pipeline.
• It is built on three core pillars:
  1. Value maximization of road assets
  2. Transparency and investor information dissemination
  3. Market development and broader investor participation

NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav emphasized that the strategy ensures financial sustainability and private sector involvement, enhancing road asset quality and longevity.

Member Finance, N.R.V.V.M.K. Rajendra Kumar, added that the document fosters structured, transparent monetisation, boosting investor confidence.

The strategy supports the Government of India’s Asset Monetisation Plan (2025–30) and marks a shift to sustainable, market-driven infrastructure financing.

🔗 Read the full strategy: NHAI Asset Monetization Strategy Document

The Indian Navy will commission its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, on 18 June 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

• Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, will preside over the ceremony.
• Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar will host the event.

Key Highlights:

• Arnala is the first of 16 ASW-SWC ships designed and built under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Built by GRSE, Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders, under PPP model.
• Delivered to the Navy on 08 May 2025.
• Named after the historic Arnala Fort, symbolizing maritime strength and heritage.

Technical & Strategic Significance:

• Over 80% indigenous content, with systems from BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, MEIL, and 55+ MSMEs involved.
• Capable of Subsurface Surveillance, Search and Rescue, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations.
• 77.6 m in length, 1490+ tonnes, and first Indian Naval ship with Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion.

This commissioning strengthens India’s coastal defence and naval self-reliance in the Indian Ocean Region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir on May 6, 2025, and laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated development projects worth over ₹46,000 crore at Katra.

• Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project was dedicated to the nation.
  • Cost: Around ₹44,000 crore
  • Length: 272 km
  • Features: Fully electrified, 36 tunnels, and 943 bridges
  • Includes:
    • Chenab Bridge – World’s highest railway arch bridge
    • Anji Khad Bridge – India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge
• Two Vande Bharat Express trains flagged off:
  • From Katra to Srinagar and Srinagar to Katra
  • Regular service began on Saturday
  • Features:
    • Silicone heating pads and heated plumbing to operate in sub-zero temperatures
    • Reduces travel time by nearly 3 hours
    • Offers modern amenities and climate-specific adaptations
• Foundation stones laid for road projects, enhancing last-mile and border area connectivity.
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence:
  • Foundation stone laid in Katra
  • Project worth: ₹350 crore
  • First medical college in Reasi district, boosting healthcare infrastructure

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that Population Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases and will include caste enumeration for the first time. The reference date is set as March 1, 2027, except for Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, where it will be October 1, 2026.

A notification under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948 will be published in the official gazette on June 16, 2025. The census will follow the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, and Census Rules, 1990.

The last census in 2011 was also conducted in two phases. The 2021 census was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 3 June 2025, India achieved a historic milestone in its maritime and research capabilities as Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Norwegian firm Kongsberg during the Nor-Shipping 2025 event in Norway. The agreement marks the beginning of construction for India’s first Polar Research Vessel (PRV).

The PRV will support India’s National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and enhance India’s role in climate change research, ocean studies, and polar exploration. Designed by Kongsberg and built by GRSE in Kolkata, the vessel will be equipped with advanced scientific instruments.

Sonowal also presented India’s new MAHASAGAR maritime strategy, upgraded from SAGAR, and highlighted programs like Sagarmala 2.0 and the $2.9 billion Maritime Development Fund to attract global investments. He also engaged with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) to expand collaboration in green shipping, ship recycling, and digital maritime technologies.

On 3 June 2025, the Uttar Pradesh government approved a 20% reservation for Agniveers in recruitment for the state police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) after their 4-year military service under the Agnipath scheme.

This decision, made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, applies to roles like constable, mounted police, and fireman. Additionally, age relaxation of up to 3 years will be granted to eligible Agniveers.

This initiative aims to support Agniveers’ transition to civilian life and offer job security. UP Police is set to recruit for around 28,000 posts, significantly benefiting Agniveers. Haryana had earlier implemented a similar reservation policy.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) hosted its 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) from June 1-3, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India. This prestigious event marked the return of the IATA AGM to India after 42 years, last held in 1983.

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Address: PM Modi emphasized India’s rapid aviation growth, stating that the country is now the third-largest domestic aviation market.
• India’s Aviation Transformation: The success of the UDAN scheme has enabled 15 million passengers to experience affordable air travel.
• Global Participation: Over 1,700 delegates, including airline CEOs, government officials, and industry leaders, attended the event.
• Future of Aviation: Discussions focused on sustainable aviation fuel, financing decarbonization, and air connectivity.

India’s Role in Global Aviation

PM Modi highlighted India’s three pillars driving aviation growth:
1️⃣ A vast market – Reflecting India’s aspirational society.
2️⃣ Strong talent pool – Innovators in AI, robotics, and clean energy.
3️⃣ Supportive policy ecosystem – Enabling industrial expansion.

Looking Ahead

With 240 million passengers flying annually, India’s aviation sector is projected to reach 500 million passengers by 2030. The summit reinforced India’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global cooperation in aviation.

On 1 June 2025, the Indian Army began trials of next-generation defence technologies at key sites across the country, including Pokhran, Babina, and Joshimath. These trials, conducted under near-combat conditions with electronic warfare simulations, are meant to rigorously test the performance of new systems.

Air defence demonstrations are also being held in Agra and Gopalpur.

Technologies being tested include:

• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
• UAV-launched Precision-Guided Munitions
• Loitering Munitions
• Low-Level Lightweight Radars
• Electronic Warfare Platforms
• Vertical-launch Drones

These systems are developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with active participation from multiple defence industry partners. The goal is to ensure rapid integration of emerging battlefield technologies.

The 17th edition of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise, Nomadic Elephant, began on 31 May 2025 at the Special Forces Training Centre in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and will continue until 13 June 2025.

Key dignitaries at the opening ceremony included India’s Ambassador to Mongolia Atul Malhari Gotsurve and Major General Lkhagvasuren Ganselem of Mongolia. Both expressed hopes that the joint training would deepen defence ties and improve operational cooperation between the two nations.

This year’s exercise features:

• Counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous terrain.
• Training for UN peacekeeping operations, simulating real-world multinational scenarios.

The expanded scope reflects increased defence cooperation and aims to boost interoperability, coordination, and mutual trust between the armed forces of India and Mongolia.