Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made history as the first Indian astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors. Docking with the ISS on June 26 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla is serving as the mission pilot alongside veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, the commander. Sharing breathtaking images of Earth from the station’s Cupola Module, Shukla conveyed a profound message of global unity, reflecting on the boundless perspective space travel offers.

The assassination of prominent Patna businessman Gopal Khemka outside his residence has reignited intense political criticism and scrutiny of Bihar’s law enforcement under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the state government, branding Bihar the “crime capital of India” due to escalating violence and inadequate police response. Despite swift action by Special Task Force and Special Investigation Teams, no breakthrough has been reported over 36 hours after the murder.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation in Gujarat, a multi-state initiative aimed at revolutionizing milk procurement, pricing, and sustainability in the dairy sector. Drawing inspiration from Amul’s successful cooperative model, the federation seeks to empower farmers nationwide by ensuring fair returns and a circular economy. The event also commemorated four years of the Ministry of Cooperation and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Smarten Power System, a manufacturer of solar and power backup solutions, is set to launch its Rs. 50 crore initial public offering (IPO) from July 7 to July 9, 2025. Priced at Rs. 100 per equity share, the offering comprises a fresh issue of Rs. 40.01 crore and an offer for sale worth Rs. 10 crore. The company aims to strengthen its production capacity, reduce debt, and fund operational and capital expenses. With plans to list on NSE Emerge, Smarten seeks to build on its momentum, leveraging India’s clean energy push and growing demand for energy storage systems.

Bengaluru-based real estate giant Sattva Group plans to invest approximately Rs 800 crore in Goa’s property market over the next two years, capitalizing on the region’s growing appeal driven by enhanced infrastructure and connectivity. Having launched the second phase of its flagship ‘Sattva Water’s Edge’ project near Dabolim airport, the company is poised to develop additional residential ventures, including a gated community.

In response to expanding business demands, India’s public sector banks (PSBs) are set to onboard approximately 50,000 new employees in the current financial year, with around 21,000 officer-level positions and the remainder comprising clerical and support staff. Leading the recruitment drive, State Bank of India (SBI) plans to hire nearly 20,000 personnel, including specialized officers.

India’s ambitious vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047 hinges on sustaining an average nominal GDP growth rate of approximately 10% annually, underscored by current market valuations and economic expansion. Rajiv Memani, newly appointed president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), emphasizes the pivotal role of an impending interim trade agreement with the United States in dispelling market uncertainties and opening expansive opportunities for Indian enterprises, particularly in labour-intensive sectors.

At the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Rio de Janeiro, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman engaged in high-profile bilateral talks with counterparts from Russia, China, Indonesia, and Brazil. These discussions emphasized deepening cooperation across finance, trade, technology, and climate finance, reflecting India’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships within the Global South.

Indian equity markets are bracing for a pivotal week marked by a high-stakes U.S. trade policy deadline, key corporate earnings releases, and volatile foreign capital flows. The expiration of the 90-day suspension of additional U.S. tariffs on Indian goods looms on July 9, potentially triggering a 26% import duty unless negotiations yield a reprieve. Market sentiment will also be shaped by Q1 results from sectoral bellwethers like TCS and Avenue Supermarts, movements in Brent crude prices, rupee-dollar trends, and the release of U.S. Federal Reserve policy minutes.

Smartworks Coworking Spaces Ltd, a prominent player in India’s flexible office space sector, is launching its initial public offering (IPO) on July 10, with the subscription window closing on July 14. The company has revised its IPO size, reducing the fresh issue to Rs. 445 crore and the offer for sale (OFS) to 33.79 lakh shares. Proceeds will be deployed for capital expenditure, debt repayment, and corporate needs.