Defence
Presidential Submarine Sorties
President Droupadi Murmu became only the second Indian President to undertake an operational submarine sortie aboard INS Vaghsheer, a Kalvari-class submarine under Project-75. Such sorties demonstrate leadership engagement with armed forces and boost military morale.
Agriculture
Industrial Hemp Cultivation Standards
Himachal Pradesh’s ‘Green to Gold’ initiative permits industrial hemp cultivation only if THC content remains below 0.3%, aligning with international standards. This ensures non-intoxicating, industrial-grade usage for textiles, biofuels, and medical applications.
Energy
Run-of-the-River Hydropower
The Dulhasti Stage-II Hydel Power Project uses a run-of-the-river scheme, generating electricity from water discharged by Stage-I. This design minimizes environmental impact by avoiding large reservoirs while maximizing renewable energy generation.
Healthcare
PPP Medical Colleges in Tribal Areas
India’s first PPP-model medical colleges are being established in tribal districts of Dhar and Betul in Madhya Pradesh. This innovative model aims to address healthcare inequity and medical education gaps in underserved tribal regions.
Technology
AI Centers in Tier-2 Cities
The Adani Group-funded AI Centre of Excellence at Baramati promotes AI education, research, and startup innovation beyond metropolitan hubs. This decentralization strategy builds technology ecosystems in tier-2 cities, democratizing access to advanced AI capabilities.
International Trade
Kimberley Process Certification
The Kimberley Process (established 2003) prevents trade in conflict diamonds that finance armed conflicts. Participating countries must certify diamond shipments as conflict-free, ensuring ethical sourcing and preventing “blood diamonds” from entering global markets.
Geopolitics
Somaliland Recognition Breakthrough
Israel became the first nation to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, ending over three decades of non-recognition since its 1991 declaration of independence from Somalia. This marks a significant shift in Horn of Africa geopolitics.
Environment
Marine Oil Spill Response
RPREX-2025 (Regional Pollution Response Exercise) by the Indian Coast Guard enhances preparedness against marine oil spill disasters. Such coordinated exercises are crucial for India’s long coastline and increasing maritime traffic.
Science & Innovation
Indigenous MRI Technology
VoxelGrids, a Zoho-backed startup, developed India’s first fully indigenous 1.5-tesla MRI scanner. This breakthrough supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, reduces import dependence, and makes advanced diagnostics more affordable for Indian hospitals.
Sports
World Police and Fire Games 2029
Rashtriya Raksha University (Gujarat) will host eight disciplines of the World Police and Fire Games 2029, marking India’s debut as host nation. This showcases India’s capability to organize international sporting events for law enforcement communities.