The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an annual master plan for the River Cities Alliance (RCA), advancing sustainable urban river rejuvenation. Launched in 2021 by the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Housing & Urban Affairs, the RCA now includes 145 member cities. The plan outlines initiatives such as capacity-building programs, knowledge sharing, expert guidance, and technical tools to integrate river-sensitive planning into urban development. It aims to strengthen institutional capacities, foster inter-city collaboration, and support Urban River Management Plans (URMPs), marking a strategic push toward sustainable and resilient river-centric urban growth across India.

Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme Guidelines and an online portal in New Delhi. Recently approved by the Union Cabinet with a ₹22,919 crore outlay, the scheme aims to strengthen India’s electronics supply chain and will open for applications from May 1. The guidelines were developed through extensive industry consultations. The scheme targets attracting investments of over ₹59,000 crore, creating over 91,000 direct jobs, and boosting domestic value addition by integrating Indian firms with global value chains. Incentives will be based on job creation, capital expenditure, and company turnover.

India and France have signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu formalizing the deal in New Delhi. The order includes 22 single-seaters and four twin-seaters, customized for the Indian Navy, with deliveries by 2030. The agreement also covers training, simulators, weapons, and performance-based logistics, along with additional equipment for the Indian Air Force's existing Rafale fleet. It features a technology transfer for indigenous weapon integration and the establishment of production and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities. The deal is expected to boost job creation and benefit India’s MSME sector.

On May 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala — India’s first dedicated container transshipment facility — marking a significant step toward the country’s goal of becoming a global maritime hub. Strategically located, the Vizhinjam port has been given high priority for its potential to revolutionize maritime logistics as part of the central government's 'Viksit Bharat' vision. The port has been developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) through a public-private partnership with the Kerala government.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased its gold reserves to 880 tonnes as of March 2025, marking a 35% rise from 653 tonnes in FY20. In FY24–25 alone, it purchased 57.5 tonnes and repatriated 214 tonnes since 2022. This strategic accumulation aims to hedge against dollar volatility and strengthen India's foreign exchange base. Gold now constitutes 11.35% of India's total forex reserves, up from 6.86% in 2021, reflecting a shift towards gold as a stable asset amid global economic uncertainties.

India's mining sector achieved record production in FY 2024-25, surpassing previous highs. Iron ore output rose by 4.3% to 289 MMT, while manganese ore increased by 11.8% to 3.8 MMT. Bauxite production grew by 2.9% to 24.7 MMT, and lead concentrate by 3.1% to 393 THT. In the non-ferrous sector, primary aluminium reached 42 LT, and refined copper surged by 12.6% to 5.73 LT. These gains reflect strong demand in sectors like steel, energy, infrastructure, and automotive.

The Indian Navy and DRDO have successfully conducted the combat firing of the indigenously developed Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, the Navy, and industry for the achievement, highlighting its role in strengthening undersea warfare capabilities. MIGM is an advanced underwater mine designed to counter stealth ships and submarines. It features sensors to detect acoustic, magnetic, and pressure signals, and uses ARM processor-based electronics to process data and trigger appropriate responses.

Indian Navy received 'Arnala', the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. Indigenously designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a Public-Private Partnership with L&T, the 77-meter vessel is the largest Indian naval ship powered by a diesel engine-waterjet combination. Equipped for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and mine-laying, Arnala enhances coastal ASW capabilities and reflects the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative with over 80% indigenous content.

Fitch Ratings has revised India's medium-term GDP growth potential upward by 0.2 percentage points to 6.4% over the next five years. This adjustment reflects a significant increase in labor force participation, contributing more to growth than productivity gains. Conversely, China's growth projection has been reduced from 4.6% to 4.3%, due to declining labor participation and weaker investment. These changes highlight India's strengthening economic outlook relative to other emerging markets, as noted in Fitch's latest assessment.

Coal imports in India fell by 7.9% in FY 2024-25, totaling over 243 million tonnes, down from 264.53 million tonnes the previous year, saving around $7.93 billion in foreign exchange. Despite a 3.04% rise in coal-based power generation, thermal power plant imports for blending dropped by 41.4%. The Ministry of Coal attributed this to increased domestic production and reduced imports, which contributed to a 5% growth in coal output compared to the previous fiscal year.

In a push for self-reliance, India is developing the Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a next-generation, two-seater electric trainer aircraft at nearly half the cost of imported models. Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, after a high-level review meeting, praised the CSIR-NAL, Bengaluru, for its indigenous development under the HANSA-3 (NG) program. He also lauded ISRO for the successful SPADEX mission and its role in Operation Sindoor. Notably, Group Captain Subhash Shukla will conduct seven microgravity experiments during the Axiom Space Mission.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved Category-I Miniratna status for three Defence Public Sector Undertakings: Munitions India Limited (MIL), Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), and India Optel Limited (IOL). Since their formation in 2021, these companies have significantly increased their revenues and exports, achieving high levels of indigenisation. This recognition enhances their operational autonomy, supporting India's goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Indian Army is conducting extensive trials of next-generation indigenous defence technologies at key locations like Pokhran, Babina, Joshimath, Agra, and Gopalpur. These evaluations, under simulated combat conditions, focus on systems such as the Akashteer air defence control system, VSHORADS missile, Zorawar light tank, and AI-enabled weaponry. The initiative underscores India's commitment to the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision, enhancing operational readiness and showcasing strategic superiority through the integration of advanced, homegrown military technologies.

Kerala experienced a significant surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the fiscal year 2024–25, with inflows more than doubling to ₹3,300 crore from ₹1,633 crore the previous year. This growth elevated Kerala to the ninth position among Indian states, accounting for 0.79% of the nation's total FDI. The Information Technology (IT) sector was a major contributor, attracting investments from companies like Vensure, KAISEMI, Armada, and dSPACE. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve expressed optimism that initiatives such as the Global Capability Centre and Genome City, along with commitments from the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025, will further enhance FDI inflows in the coming years.

India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose by 16.4% year-on-year, reaching ₹2.01 lakh crore. This marks the second consecutive month where collections have surpassed the ₹2 lakh crore mark, indicating robust economic activity and improved tax compliance. The surge is largely attributed to a 25% increase in revenue from imports, reflecting strong import demand. Despite a slight decline from April's record-high collections, the May figures represent the fastest growth rate since October 2022, signaling a strong start to the fiscal year 2025-26.

At the BRICS Summit, India championed inclusive digital growth, emphasizing its digital public infrastructure, including platforms like UPI and CoWIN, as models for global cooperation. Prime Minister Modi highlighted initiatives such as Bhashini to overcome language barriers and proposed collaboration in areas like skill mapping, traditional medicine, and environmental conservation. India also advocated for cultural integration in development strategies, aligning with its vision of sustainable and inclusive progress. These efforts underscore India's commitment to leveraging technology and culture for global development.

UN General Assembly elected Bahrain, Congo, Liberia, Colombia, and Latvia to two-year terms on the Security Council starting January 2026. Latvia joins for the first time, emphasizing its historical experience with conflict. Bahrain aims to promote Middle East peace, including a Gaza ceasefire and a two-state solution. Congo highlights Africa’s role in global peace, Liberia focuses on inequality and climate change, and Colombia stresses environmental preservation and human rights. These nations replace Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia

The 17th edition of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise Nomadic Elephant 2025 is taking place at the Special Forces Training Centre in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The exercise focuses on non-conventional operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a UN mandate. It aims to boost operational capabilities, enhance interoperability through counter-terrorism and sniping drills, and deepen defence cooperation. The exercise also promotes cultural understanding and camaraderie between the participating troops of both nations.

The Prime Minister highlighted that over the past eleven years, India—powered by the blessings and participation of 140 crore citizens—has experienced rapid, people‑centric transformation across diverse sectors under the NDA government. Guided by the ethos of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” these reforms have enhanced economic growth, social upliftment, digital innovation, climate action, and overall ease of living. He invited citizens to explore this “Vikas Yatra” via the NaMo App, featuring interactive content like games, quizzes, surveys, infographics, videos, and articles