India’s economy is showing robust growth, with the latest GDP figures indicating a 7.6% expansion in the financial year 2023-24, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. The growth is driven primarily by the manufacturing, construction, and financial sectors. However, concerns persist about the uneven distribution of wealth and sluggish rural demand. The Reserve Bank of India has maintained the repo rate at 6.5% in its recent policy review, balancing inflation control with economic support amid global uncertainties such as fluctuating crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions.

As the country progresses through the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the world’s largest democratic exercise, voter turnout has been impressively high, highlighting strong civic engagement. The election campaign is centered around unemployment, inflation, and social justice, with the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a third consecutive term against a strong challenge from the Indian National Congress-led INDIA alliance. Debates surrounding economic policy, agricultural reforms, and employment opportunities for the large youth population are dominating the narrative.

A severe heatwave is affecting North and Central India, causing water scarcity, power outages, and rising heatstroke cases. Governments at both national and state levels are implementing measures to mitigate the impact, including setting up cooling centers and issuing health advisories. The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for several regions, urging people to take precautions.

Meanwhile, India’s space program is gaining momentum, with the Indian Space Research Organisation planning further missions after the success of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1. The Gaganyaan human spaceflight program is also progressing. Significant progress has been reported on infrastructure projects like BharatMala and Sagarmala, aimed at enhancing road and port connectivity.

India is intensifying its focus on renewable energy, committing to ambitious targets for solar and wind power generation to reduce its carbon footprint. The electric vehicle sector is also attracting increasing investment due to government incentives and growing consumer demand. On the global stage, India is strengthening ties with nations across the Indo-Pacific region and advocating for a multipolar world order.