Top 10 News Stories in India (June–July 2025)
1.Mamata Banerjee leads protest over “harassment” of Bengalis
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on July 16, 2025 led thousands of supporters in a Kolkata march against what she called the “harassment” of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states. At the rally, she said she was “ashamed and disheartened” by how Bengalis were being treated and vowed to “speak more in Bangla.
The protest – held just before Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bengal and with Assembly elections ahead – highlights rising linguistic tensions in national politics. Leaders from her Trinamool Congress party joined the march, which began in central Kolkata and drew heavy security. Opposition politicians criticized her stance as politically motivated, underscoring sharp rhetoric ahead of future polls.
2.Elon Musk’s X decries India “press censorship”
In early July, Elon Musk’s social platform X (formerly Twitter) publicly clashed with the Indian government over news accounts. X’s global affairs team said the government had ordered it to block 2,355 accounts in India – including that of Reuters – under IT law Section 69A, without explanation. The company warned this amounted to “press censorship” and said it was exploring legal options. The government countered that it had issued no new blocking orders and promptly sought restoration of Reuters’ accounts.
Within days, all withheld accounts (Reuters, Reuters World, and a few others) were unblocked after government pressure and public outcry. The episode highlighted ongoing tensions over content regulation: X lamented demands for immediate compliance without justification, while New Delhi insisted the blocks were a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.
3.Monsoon revival eases heatwave, forecasts above-average rains
The southwest monsoon made a comeback in mid-June, ending a fortnight-long dry spell and easing a severe heatwave in India’s plains. By June 16, government meteorologists reported that rains had spread into central India, covering Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, after stalling above Kerala in late May. Citing officials, Reuters noted that the monsoon delivers about 70% of India’s annual rain and revived in time to water rain-fed crops and replenish reservoirs.
By the end of June the country had received about 9% more rain than normal, and the weather service forecast above-average rainfall nationwide in July. The early and generous monsoon allowed farmers to speed up planting of summer crops such as rice, soybeans and cotton. Forecasters cautioned that July rains would be crucial for crop yields, but the outlook of surplus monsoon bodes well for agriculture and the economy.
4.Gold imports slump as prices hit record highs
In business news, India’s appetite for gold weakened sharply in June. According to trade ministry data, gold imports fell 40% from a year earlier to just 21 tonnes – the lowest June level in over two years. In value terms this was $1.84 billion (down from $2.48 billion a year ago), as domestic jewelry buyers shrank under record prices. Indian gold prices touched an all-time high of ₹101,078 per 10 grams in June.
A government official said the 30% year‑to‑date import decline reflects historically high prices dampening demand. Silver imports, by contrast, nearly doubled year-on-year, as some investors switched to the cheaper metal. The gold import drop is significant for India’s economy: it relieves some pressure on the country’s import bill and current account, and mirrors global market trends. Analysts noted that with prices up 27% so far this year, Indians are stockpiling less gold.
5.Modi embarks on landmark international tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a five-nation tour from July 2–9, visiting Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. In Ghana, he became the first Indian premier in 30 years to make a bilateral visit there. In Accra he pledged closer cooperation in security, health (including vaccine production) and economic development with Ghana. He also attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro (July 6–7) as part of the trip.
The tour aimed to deepen India’s ties in Africa and Latin America, tapping into new markets and strategic partnerships. It included meetings to discuss energy, infrastructure investment, and shared issues in international forums. The Ghana visit was followed by stops in Caribbean and South American nations, underscoring India’s global outreach.
6.India-China ties face scrutiny as foreign ministers meet
On July 14, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks in Beijing with Chinese counterparts (including Foreign Minister Wang Yi) aimed at easing bilateral tensions. According to Reuters, Jaishankar told Wang that India and China must resolve lingering border frictions, pull back troops, and avoid “restrictive trade measures” as part of normalizing relations.
He specifically urged China not to impose curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals and high-tech equipment to India, which Beijing had enacted recently. The Chinese side acknowledged recent “hard-won” progress in the nine-month-old thaw in relations, and emphasized mutual trust and practical cooperation.
This high-level meeting, Jaishankar’s first in China since 2020, came amid continued efforts by both sides to de-escalate after years of standoff. It reflects India’s push to stabilize ties with its northern neighbor while managing strategic competition and trade interdependence.
7.BRICS Summit and unified anti-terror stance
At the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro (July 6–7), leaders of India, Brazil, Russia, China and others took a firm stand on terrorism. The summit’s joint declaration “condemned in the strongest terms” the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir (which killed 26 people). Prime Minister Modi, addressing the BRICS session, warned that any country providing even indirect support to terrorism “must pay the price,” and he called for zero tolerance and coordinated global action.
The declaration reaffirmed collective action against terror financing and safe havens. Aside from security, BRICS leaders also emphasized reforming global governance: Modi used the platform to stress UN Security Council reform and giving the Global South a greater voice in international institutions. The summit resulted in the “Rio de Janeiro Declaration,” reflecting both a consensus on combating terror and broader calls for a more inclusive multipolar world order.
8.New Income Tax law advanced in Parliament
In policy news, Parliament prepared to overhaul India’s tax code. On July 16 the Lok Sabha Select Committee unanimously approved the new Income Tax Bill, 2025, clearing the way for its introduction in the Monsoon Session. The mammoth 3,709-page draft law (with 285 committee amendments) will be tabled on July 21, the first day of the session. This long-awaited bill aims to replace the Income Tax Act of 1961 with simplified language, streamlined procedures and a more user-friendly regime.
According to government statements, it intends to enhance taxpayer experience and modernize rules. Passage of the bill is expected before the session ends, allowing implementation of the new tax code from April 1, 2026. The legislation is one of several major reforms slated for the Monsoon Session, alongside GST and other amendments.
9.Cricket: India achieves historic win at Edgbaston
In sports, the Indian cricket team recorded its first-ever Test win at Edgbaston (Birmingham). In the second Test against England (July 6), India beat the hosts by 336 runs to level the series 1–1. Spinner Akash Deep was the star, taking six wickets in England’s second innings (finishing with 10 wickets in the match) to skittle them for 271. Captain Shubman Gill (as stand-in skipper) scored heavily in the first innings, and the Indian bowlers applied relentless pressure on England. It was India’s biggest away victory by runs, overturning England’s chase of 608.
The win was widely celebrated as a “historic” achievement. Skipper Gill lauded the bowlers’ “magnificent” performance, and all eyes turned to the upcoming third Test at Lord’s. The result was a major sporting highlight in July and boosted India’s confidence on English soil.
10.Entertainment: Veteran actor Dheeraj Kumar dies
The film and television industry mourned the July 15 death of veteran actor-producer Dheeraj Kumar (aged 79), who died of pneumonia in Mumbai. Kumar had a 50-year career in Hindi and Punjabi cinema and pioneered TV production through his company Creative Eye Limited. His family statement described him as a “true gentleman” and mentor to many.
Close associates said he had been hospitalized for several days before passing away. His funeral (held July 16) was attended by family and colleagues. Kumar was remembered for roles in 1970s films and later for producing popular TV serials (such as Om Namah Shivay and Adalat). His passing was noted as a significant cultural loss in July’s news cycle.