Bihar has become the first State in the country to have all polling stations (PS) with less than 1,200 electors. 12,817 new polling stations have been added in Bihar to prevent long queues at the polling stations.
As per Bihar SIR order dated June 24, 2025 (page 2, point 6/7 & page 7, point 2(a)), the earlier ceiling of 1,500 electors/PS had been revised to 1,200 electors/PS. After adding 12,817 new PS, the total number of PS in Bihar will go up to 90,712 from the earlier 77,895. This major achievement of Bihar is to be followed by other States/UTs.
The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 1.7 per cent (provisional) in June, 2025 as compared to the Index in June, 2024. The production of Steel, Cement and Refinery Products recorded positive growth in June, 2025. The details of annual indices, monthly indices and growth rates are provided at Annex I and Annex II.
The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for May 2025 was observed at 1.2 per cent. The cumulative growth rate of ICI during April to June, 2025-26 is 1.3 per cent (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.
In order to improve operational viability of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and to take advantage of economies of scale, Government of India initiated structural consolidation of RRBs in FY 2005-06. In Phase-I amalgamation (2005-2010), the number of RRBs was brought down from 196 to 82 by amalgamating RRBs of the same Sponsor Bank within a State.
In Phase-II amalgamation (2012-14), the number of RRBs was brought down from 82 to 56, by amalgamating RRBs across Sponsor Banks within a State with geographically contiguous areas of operation. Phase-III amalgamation was initiated in the year 2019 by amalgamating weaker RRB with the stronger RRB.
The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited (MFSCDCL), Mumbai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to advance skill development in the film and media sectors across Maharashtra.
This strategic collaboration aims to conduct and promote short-term courses in filmmaking, television production, and allied technical fields in partnership with FTII’s academic expertise and MFSCDCL’s infrastructure and outreach capabilities.
The transformative mobile application “Meri Panchayat” has been internationally recognized with the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2025 Champion Award under the Action Line Category: Cultural Diversity and Identity, Linguistic Diversity and Local Content.
The honor was conferred during the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as part of the WSIS initiative. Meri Panchayat, as a WSIS Prizes 2025 Champion Project, symbolizes the global excellence of India’s digital governance model.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 High-Level Event 2025 was held from 7 to 11 July 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. Also known as the WSIS Forum 2025, the event was co-hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss Confederation and co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD.
Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) has released the twenty sixth edition of monthly report of NeSDA Way Forward for States/UTs, June 2025 which provides a detailed overview of status of e-service delivery across States/UTs.
On the first day of monsoon session, the ‘Bills of Lading, 2025’ bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha paving the way for Presidential Assent. Tabled by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal at the upper house, it marks a watershed moment for India’s maritime sector.
The bill, already passed by the Lok Sabha, now awaits Presidential assent to become law. Once enacted, it will replace the 169 years-old colonial era Indian Lading Act, 1856 with a modern, simplified, and globally aligned legal framework for maritime shipping documentation in India.
The new law replaces archaic terminology with clear & business friendly language, streamlining rights & obligations for carriers, shippers and lawful holders; reducing ambiguity in shipping documentation to lower litigation risks as well as strengthening India’s position in global trade by aligning with international norms.
The bill renames the outdated law, symbolising a decisive move away from India’s colonial past. It simplifies legal language, restructures complex provisions, and introduces an enabling clause empowering the Central Government to issue directions for effective implementation.
By incorporating a standard repeal and saving clause, the legislation ensures continuity and legal validity of past actions under the old Act. These reforms aim to enhance clarity, promote ease of understanding, and enable smoother enforcement in line with contemporary trade and legal standards enabling Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in India.
The Ministry of Textiles is proud to announce the conferment of the prestigious Sant Kabir Handloom Award and National Handloom Awards for 2024, recognizing outstanding contributions by handloom weavers, designers, marketers, start-up ventures, and producer companies in the handloom sector.
These awards are part of the Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA) component under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).
This year, a total of 24 awardees, including 5 Sant Kabir Awards and 19 National Handloom Awards, will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the handloom sector.
The awards will be conferred by the Hon’ble President of India during the 11th National Handloom Day celebrations. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event will be graced by the presence of Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, along with distinguished guests.
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avanti Fellows to provide coaching support for IIT-JEE and NEET exam preparation. The initiative aims to promote inclusive education and empower tribal youth across the country through targeted academic interventions.
This collaboration formalized today and is designed to offer comprehensive coaching for highly competitive national-level examinations like JEE Main/Advanced and NEET to students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
The MoU is a five-year agreement, effective from the academic year 2025–26.
It represents a shared commitment to bridge the educational gap for tribal students and enhance their participation in competitive entrance exams.
The CoE center will be established at EMRS Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), with a combined strength of 80 students, selected through a structured entrance examination.
The partnership with Avanti Fellows is a big step forward for tribal education. It aims to help EMRS students discover their true potential. With the right guidance and support, they can dream big and prepare confidently for national exams like JEE and NEET. This effort will not only shape their future but also help build a stronger and more inclusive nation.
NITI Aayog is pleased to announce that Deepak Bagla has officially assumed charge as the Mission Director of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
Bagla joins AIM with an extensive background spanning banking, investment promotion, policy advisory, and institutional leadership.
His experience extends across multilateral institutions, the private sector, and Government, bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and operational execution to the role.
Prior to this, Bagla served as the Managing Director & CEO of Invest India, the Government of India’s national investment promotion and facilitation agency.
National Flag Day in India is observed every year on July 22, marking the adoption of the Indian national flag, popularly known as the Tiranga. In 2025, the nation will once again celebrate this special day by paying tribute to the Tricolour. The flag stands as a symbol of India's freedom, unity, and national pride.
The Indian national flag was officially adopted on July 22, 1947, just weeks before India gained independence from British rule. The flag's design was proposed by a freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh, Pingali Venkayya. The original version featured the spinning wheel or charkha that symbolises self-reliance, but it was later replaced with the Ashoka Chakra.
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) marked its 44th Foundation Day with a commemorative event in Chennai, celebrating its journey as a pivotal institution in India’s rural development. The occasion brought together key policymakers, state officials, banking leaders, and grassroots innovators to reflect on NABARD’s enduring mission.
The celebrations were graced by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Govt. of India; Shri N. Muruganandam, Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu; Shri Shaji K V Chairman, NABARD apart from Sri. G S Rawat and Sri A K Sood Deputy Managing Directors of NABARD.
Former Kerala Chief Minister and the icon of Communist movement VS Achuthanandan died, after a long hospitalisation. The 101-year-old was admitted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on June 23 after he suffered a cardiac arrest at home.
In January 2021, he had quit as the Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Committee and had been staying alternately with his son or daughter in Thiruvananthapuram since.
A founder leader of CPM after the split in undivided party in 1964, Achuthanandan's populist stance and uncompromising image winning him admiration across party lines.
He had been the Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2006, when he had spearheaded the attack on the UDF government led by AK Antony. In 2006, he led the CPM-led Left Democratic Front to victory and served as Chief Minister till 2011.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced that Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director (FDMD), would be leaving the Fund at the end of August to return to Harvard University, where she will be the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics.
Ms. Gopinath joined the Fund in January 2019 as Chief Economist and was promoted to First Deputy Managing Director in January 2022.
