July 2025

INS Tamal Commissioned in Russia – A Boost to Indian Navy’s Strength

• INS Tamal, an advanced stealth frigate, was commissioned on 1 July 2025 at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia.
• It is the 8th ship under Project 1135.6 and 2nd of the Tushil-class follow-on frigates.
• Equipped with BrahMos cruise missile and Humsa-NG Sonar system for superior strike and detection capabilities.
• Successfully tested Shtil-1 surface-to-air missiles, artillery, and torpedoes.
• Designed for blue water operations and fitted with automated nuclear, biological, and chemical defence systems.
• A symbol of Indo-Russian defense cooperation, the ship will soon sail to its homeport Karwar, Karnataka.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the RailOne app on 1 July 2025 as a unified platform for all passenger services.

Key features include ticket booking (including unreserved tickets), train enquiry, PNR status, journey planning, Rail Madad, and food ordering.

Key Cabinet Decisions – 1 July 2025 :

₹1 lakh crore Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme approved to create over 3.5 crore jobs in 2 years.

• 1.92 crore first-time employees to benefit.
• Jobs created between 1 Aug 2025 – 31 July 2027 will be covered.
• First-time employees to get one month’s wage (up to ₹15,000).
• Employers to receive up to ₹3,000/month/employee for 2 years, extended to 4 years in manufacturing.
• Scheme part of ₹2 lakh crore youth employment package from Union Budget 2024-25.

Research Development and Innovation Scheme with ₹1 lakh crore corpus approved to boost private sector R&D investment. Managed by Anusandhan National Research Foundation, chaired by the Prime Minister.

National Sports Policy 2025 approved to position India among top 5 sporting nations. Focus on grassroots to elite training, infrastructure, leagues, and sports tourism.

₹1,853 crore Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram 4-lane highway project in Tamil Nadu approved. 46.7 km stretch to enhance religious tourism and economic connectivity to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi.

The Ministry of Railways has announced the rationalisation of passenger train fares effective from July 1, 2025, aiming to streamline fare structures and improve the financial viability of operations while maintaining affordability.

• No change in fares for suburban single journey tickets or season tickets (suburban/non-suburban).
• For non-AC classes (second class, sleeper), a minor increase of 0.5 paisa/km is introduced:
  • No fare hike for travel up to 500 km.
  • ₹5 increase for 501–1500 km, ₹10 for 1501–2500 km, and ₹15 for 2501–3000 km.
• Mail/Express trains will see:
  • 1 paisa/km increase for non-AC classes.
  • 2 paisa/km increase for AC classes.
• Fare revision applies to premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, Duronto, etc.
• No changes to reservation fees, superfast surcharges, or GST rates.
• Applicable only to tickets booked on or after July 1, 2025.
• PRS and UTS systems are being updated; Zonal Railways are directed to inform passengers through station displays and notices.

Q. From which date will the revised Indian Railways fare structure come into effect in 2025?
A) June 30
B) July 1
C) July 15
D) August 1
✅ Answer: B) July 1