📊 Index & Rankings
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has once again ranked among the top 10 international airports globally.
It secured this spot in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025, earning a reader score of 84.23.
Key highlights:
- India’s busiest single-runway airport
- Handles over 55 million passengers annually
- Provides direct access to 121 destinations worldwide
Operated by the Adani Group, the airport’s digital upgrades and award-winning customer service contributed to this recognition.
India’s passport ranking improved from 85th to 77th in the Henley Passport Index 2025, marking its largest single-year gain.
Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 countries, including:
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
The improvement is attributed to enhanced diplomatic ties. However, there is still a mobility gap compared to countries like Singapore, which tops the list with access to 193 destinations.
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), India continues to lead global growth charts.
| Year | GDP Growth Forecast |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 6.5% |
| 2026 | 6.7% |
Growth drivers: Robust domestic consumption, normal monsoon season, and anticipated monetary policy easing.
CPI recorded its lowest level in six years in June and is projected to stay within RBI’s target band.
🇮🇳 National News
On July 23, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard launched ‘Samudra Prachet’, the final ship in the Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) series built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL).
Key specifications:
- Displacement: 4,170 tonnes
- Equipped with state-of-the-art oil spill and pollution response systems
Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aligns with MARPOL environmental obligations, and enhances India’s capability to handle marine pollution within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
💼 Business & Economy
The State Bank of India (SBI) has been recognized as the World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025 by Global Finance magazine.
Key achievements credited:
- Digital transformation and innovation
- Vernacular voice banking
- Omnichannel presence
- AI-powered personalized services
Emphasis laid on SBI’s inclusive approach, especially in rural and semi-urban India. This honor underlines India’s growing global recognition in financial technology and retail banking.
As of March 31, 2025, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have flagged 1,629 wilful defaulters, amounting to ₹1.62 trillion in unpaid dues.
The Union Finance Ministry confirmed intensified efforts to recover through:
- SARFAESI Act enforcement
- Proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
- Credit bureau disclosures via CIBIL and Experian
These defaults remain a significant systemic risk, amid concerns of slowing deposits and rising NPAs.
🌐 International News
China has begun work on the Motuo Hydropower Station along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which transforms into the Brahmaputra as it enters India.
Key details:
- Set to become the largest dam in the world
- Estimated cost: $167 billion
- Includes diverting the river through tunnels across five cascading power stations
Raises geopolitical alarms in India and Bangladesh. Concerns include possible manipulation of water flow, adverse impacts on biodiversity and livelihoods downstream, and risks from earthquake-prone zones.
📅 Important Days
Income Tax Day on July 24 commemorates the introduction of Income Tax in India in 1860.
Celebrates India’s evolution from colonial tax systems to a modern digital framework.
Key highlights:
- Adoption of TIN 2.0, Faceless Assessments, and AIS (Annual Information Statement)
- Use of Nudge Theory and updated ITR filing window
India has seen its gross direct tax collections double over the past five years, encouraging voluntary tax compliance.
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