Welcome to the dawn of a brand new year: 2025! This year promises to bring with it myriad opportunities, fresh resolutions, and burgeoning hope. What's in store for India this year? Expect groundbreaking trends that may alter the nation's landscape across politics, religion, sports, and science. Here's a detailed glimpse of what's to come.
1. Elections in Delhi and Bihar
This year, the assembly elections are scheduled in Delhi and Bihar. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) holds power in Delhi, governing for a decade. In 2013, under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, AAP formed the government but resigned after 49 days. They returned victorious in 2015, winning 67 seats. In 2020, they secured 62 seats again, with Kejriwal taking the Chief Minister oath for the third time. However, 2024 posed challenges for AAP and Kejriwal; he was jailed for a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor scandal but resigned after securing bail. Atishi stepped in as the new Chief Minister. AAP now faces a contest from BJP and Congress. BJP's only win in Delhi was in 1993, and Congress, under Sheila Dikshit, reinforced their rule with three consecutive victories. The BJP is determined to regain control, while Congress is strategizing to reclaim lost support.
Source: aajtak
In Bihar, the NDA governs with JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister, while BJP remains the largest party, continuing its coalition status. NDA allies include Chirag Paswan's LJP (R), Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM, and Upendra Kushwaha's RLP. Meanwhile, RJD, Congress, and the Left Front form the opposition Mahagathbandhan, with Tejashwi Yadav under the stewardship of Lalu Prasad Yadav striving for a full majority. New entrants like Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj adopt a potential third-front stance with Owaisi's party considering participation. Nitish Kumar, pivotal in Bihar's politics for over three decades, took office as the Chief Minister for the eighth time in 2022, alternating support between Mahagathbandhan and NDA.
Source: aajtak
2. By-elections in Six States
The country will witness by-elections in six states: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat. In West Bengal, the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat requires a by-election, following the demise of Trinamool MP Haji Nurul Islam. In UP, the Milkipur assembly seat in Ayodhya district awaits a by-election after Awadhesh Prasad became an MP. The Samajwadi Party has fielded Awadhesh’s son Ajit as their candidate.
By-elections are due for the Budgam assembly seat in Jammu & Kashmir. In the 2024 elections, Omar Abdullah claimed victory from Budgam and Ganderbal but resigned from Budgam, leaving a vacancy for the by-election. The Nagrota assembly seat, won by BJP's Devendra Singh Rana, also requires an election after Rana's untimely death.
Gujarat's Visavadar assembly seat in Junagadh district awaits a by-election. AAP's Bhupat Bhayani defected to BJP in December 2023, following electoral petitions in the high court.
Tamil Nadu's Erode (East) assembly seat requires a by-election, and Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan's demise in December 2024 resulted in a vacancy.
By-elections are also pending for the Devikulam assembly seat in Kerala. CPI(M) leader A. Raja's 2023 election was annulled by the Kerala High Court, citing ineligibility for SC reservation after conversion to Christianity.
3. Celebrating 100 Years of RSS
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is set to celebrate 100 years since its inception on Vijayadashami this year. Active across over 80 nations, RSS is involved in over three dozen subject areas, revered as the world’s largest NGO. The RSS headquarters is in Nagpur, established by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar on Vijayadashami, September 27, 1925. The RSS operates 50,000 branches across India, encompassing 90 lakh volunteers. From humble beginnings with five initial attendees, RSS now includes thousands of schools, charities, and dissemination clubs nationwide. Its saffron flag stands central to decisions and resolutions.
Source: aajtak
4. Maha Kumbh Festival Focus
The grand Maha Kumbh 2025 will unfold in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Commencing on January 13 and concluding on February 26, the 45-day Kumbh Mela holds immense significance in Hinduism, occurring once every 12 years, where devotees engage in various auspicious activities, including the royal bath. This esteemed event magnetizes millions of believers worldwide. The UP government is investing ₹5,435.68 crores across 421 projects for the event. The central government additionally contributed ₹2,100 crores as a special grant, cumulatively expecting expenditures around ₹7,500 crores. The Maha Kumbh attracts global focus.
Legend tells that during the churning of the ocean, nectar droplets fell in 12 locations: four on Earth and eight in heaven. The earthly sites include Prayagraj’s confluence, Haridwar’s Ganga, Ujjain’s Shipra, and Nashik’s Godavari, where Kumbh Mela is convened every 12 years.
Source: aajtak
5. BJP to Elect a New President
The BJP will choose a new national president in 2025, conducting organizational elections from the booth to state level. A new president is likely by February 2025. Currently, JP Nadda serves as BJP's national president, completing a three-year tenure. With nearly 60% of BJP state unit presidents' terms concluded, the party's constitution stipulates that organizational elections in at least half the state units are a prerequisite for electing a national president at BJP's organizational elections depend upon the election of district bodies.
Nadda assumed office as the national president in February 2020. Although the standard tenure spans three years, Nadda’s term was extended in light of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
By October, BJP membership exceeds 100 million. The BJP plans a year-long celebration of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth centenary from December 25, 2024, to December 25, 2025, marking his birth anniversary as Good Governance Day throughout the year.
Source: aajtak
6. BMC Elections: Asia’s Wealthiest Corporation
The election for Mumbai’s civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), noted as Asia's wealthiest corporation, is set. A clash is anticipated between Mahayuti (NDA) and MVA (opposition alliance). In Mumbai, Shiv Sena has previously dominated, expecting confrontations within factions under Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray. BJP also wields influence in various regions, projecting a vital role. Concurrently, urban body elections will occur in Maharashtra. These elections pose a significant challenge and hold consequential outcomes for the ruling Mahayuti. CM Devendra Fadnavis suggests local body elections may occur within three months. BMC, with a budget exceeding ₹59,000 crores, ranks as India’s wealthiest municipal corporation, prompting political parties to exert all efforts for victory.
7. Tax Reform for a Simpler System
A major overhaul in the tax system is anticipated, aiming for simplified and transparent processes. Discussions surround implementing a new tax system, enhancing taxpayer experience, and improving tax administration efficiency. The finance ministry is preparing a new income tax system, potentially abolishing 125 sections and subsections. The new Income Tax Act may replace the old in the forthcoming budget. The finance ministry intends to eliminate redundant clauses and sub-clauses. The new system is designed to broaden the tax base, exponentially increasing taxpayer participation under the government's new tax regime.
Source: aajtak
Efforts continue to simplify and streamline the tax filing process. The review and finalization of the new Income Tax Act is on track for completion in the upcoming months. The objective of these reforms is to make the tax code more comprehensive, reduce compliance burden, and enhance clarity for taxpayers. New tables for expenditure, investments, holdings, properties, and liabilities will be introduced with scrutinization processes for income sources potentially included.
8. Census Activity
India prepares to launch its long-postponed census in 2025 through 2026. Significant changes in the census cycle are anticipated, transitioning to a 2035, 2045, and 2055 loop. Subsequently, constituency delimitation of Lok Sabha seats will proceed with completion by 2028. Temporary suspensions occurred during the 2021 census due to the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, the census registrar allowed states to adjust mandates, districts, subdivisions, tehsils, and villages until December 31, 2024, instead of the initial June 30 deadline. Sealing governmental boundaries is the initial criterion for conducting the census.
Source: aajtak
This will mark the first fully digital census, employing mobile apps and tablets for data collection, envisaging a paperless process to save time and resources. Data gathering may conclude within a 6-9 month window, and preliminary reports might release by 2026.
9. Beginning of Generation Beta
The new year heralds a fresh era – the initiation of Generation Beta in 2025. Coming after Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, Gen Beta encompasses births between 2025 to 2039. Speculations suggest Gen Beta will excel in Artificial Intelligence (AI), as they emerge amidst an era dominated by AI. Generation Beta represents youth growing wholly in a digital age, where AI, automation, and digital technology integrate into their lives intricately. Born as technology advances swiftly, their lives will encompass AI, robotics, and augmented reality (AR). Digital devices will be integral to their childhoods. Traditional educational methods will give way to AI-assisted personalized learning.
Source: aajtak
The learning experience will become interactive through virtual and mixed reality. The concept of lifelong education will take precedence, with education extending beyond schools. Social media and digital platforms will deeply influence their social identities. Through digital connection and global culture, Generation Beta will develop a diverse worldview, disregarding language, geography, and cultural boundaries. Their lifestyle will rely on smart homes, IoT, and digital wellness technologies, embracing inclusion and diversity. Their perspectives on societal issues will be novel and innovative.
10. Spotlight on the Champions Trophy...
The 2025 Champions Trophy, under the aegis of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is scheduled for an ODI format. Jointly hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the tournament kicks off on February 19, concluding on March 9. For the Indian cricket team, it presents another chance to lift an ICC trophy after the T20 World Cup. Additionally, the ICC World Test Championship is anticipated this year. India also expects to host the Women's ODI World Cup, alongside the World Para Athletics Championship in New Delhi from September 26 to October 5.
Source: aajtak
NISAR Satellite Launch Approaches
This year, India aims to set new milestones in space exploration. Eyes are on Gaganyaan, India's ambitious manned space mission, poised for its final test flight with the robotic Vyommitra in early 2025. Moreover, NASA and ISRO are rigorously preparing for the NISAR satellite launch in March 2025—a cooperative venture between NASA and ISRO. NISAR, or NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, will be launched from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh’s Satish Dhawan Space Center, monitoring Earth’s total land and ice surfaces every 12 days. Five additional satellites will accompany this launch.
Source: aajtak
Blockbuster Films from Fateh to Emergency and 'Lahore 1947'
This year promises cinematic excitement with blockbuster releases captivating audiences. On January 10, Sonu Sood and Jacqueline Fernandez star in 'Fateh', followed by Ajay Devgn's 'Azad' on January 17. Concurrently releasing are Kangana Ranaut’s 'Emergency', Sunny Deol’s 'Lahore 1947', and Akshay Kumar's 'Sky Force'. Additionally, Salman Khan’s 'Sikandar' along with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's 'Love and War' are slated for release this year.
