By: Aastha Agarwal

The new Ram Mandir at Ayodhya was inaugurated on January 22, 2024, after the temple premises being closed for over 500 years marking a historic milestone in India’s spiritual landscape.
The event had profound political significance since it had been a key promise on the BJP manifesto for decades and the Prime Minister himself performed key consecration rituals. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several key leaders of BJP including PM Modi, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Defence Minister while key opposition boycotted the invite. Prominent saints, icons from film industry and several industrialists like Late Sh. Ratan Tata, were in presence.
A massive fund of Rs 2100 crores was raised through Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan conducted across India in 2021, with donations pouring in from leading corporate houses, ordinary citizens and members of the diaspora. This exceeds the estimated cost of construction of the Ram Mandir complex of Rs 1800 crores (including main temple structure, landscaping, ancillary facilities and a Ramayana Museum). The following Deepawali celebration in Ayoydhya in 2024 set two Guinness World Records for lighting millions of clay lamps.
On February 15, 2024, the Apex Court struck down the Electoral Bond Scheme reinforcing transparency and accountability in election funding. Introduced in 2018, the scheme allowed anonymous political donations through bonds issued by the State Bank of India (SBI) in fixed denominations with donors’ identities known only to the bank.
The scheme was challenged on grounds of promoting opacity, enabling unchecked foreign funding, and disproportionately benefiting the ruling party. The five-judge constitutional bench held that the scheme violated voters’ Right to Information and jeopardised democratic foundations by risking undue influence on elections, specifically from corporates. The court also mandated that SBI disclose details of transactions since 2019 along with cessation of further bond sales. The verdict called for greater scrutiny of political donations to strike a balance between transparency and donor privacy.
In March 2024, Delhi’s sitting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate allegedly for Delhi Excise Policy Scam, following months of investigations by the Enforcement Directoarte and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation with now repealed Delhi Liquor Policy.
Though this is not the first time a sitting CM has been arrested for corruption/scam (Lalu Yadav, Jayalalitha etc.), but the CM not resigning from office and running the administration from prison was unprecedented. His arrest as well the its timing sparked intense debates on political vendetta and the Union government using central agencies to hound political opponents just before the Lok Sabha Elections.
India went through its 18th General Elections from April 19 to June 1, 2024, bringing in place PM Modi for a rare and historic third term (only Nehru had this feat).
However, this victory came with a declined number of seats at 240 (2019- 303 seats), and a coalition government was formed with NDA allies like TDP (16 seats) and JD (12 seats). The election also saw a substantial gain for INC that won 99 seats, to claim the position of opposition after a decade. Regional parties performed exceptionally well in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, signalling voter discontent on issues like unemployment.
Voter turnout was massive with over 642 million votes cast, and the highest ever women participation with 312 million votes.
- Supreme Court in State of Punjab vs. Davinder Singh passed a landmark Decision on SC/ST Reservations allowing sub-classification of SCs and STs to ensure that benefits of reservation reach the most backward, most deprived groups. The court ruled in a 6:1 majority, affirming that sub-categorization was constitutionally valid. The court held that this subclassification should be based on robust data that presents a clear picture of social and economic backwardness of the groups.
- India faced great human losses this year with the demise of business man and philanthropist Sh. Ratan Tata on 9th October, tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain on 15th December and former / 13th PM Manmohan Singh on 26th December 2024.
Padma Bhushan Mr Ratan Tata, the esteemed industrialist and Chairman emeritus Tata Sons, passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai. More than an entrepreneur, he was known to the world as a philanthropist who prioritised national interest and public welfare over profits. The launch of Tata Indica (India’s first passenger car), Tata Nano (affordable car for Indian families), the acquisition of Jaguar and Ford Land Rover, rebuilding efforts after Taj Attacks, Tata Education Trusts (TISS, TIFR) benefitted Indians in multifaceted ways. His funeral was conducted with full state honours in Mumbai, as condolences poured in from across the country and world.
Zakir Hussain, the iconic tabla maestro, passed away on December 15, 2025, at the age of 73 in San Francisco due to a rare lung disease. Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and recipient of 4 Grammy Awards was globally celebrated for his extraordinary charisma and skill and contributions as performer, composer and teacher.
Former PM Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 after brief hospitalisation. The nation remembered his unmatched legacy as a finance minister in 1991 when he introduced the LPG reforms in India; as a PM he was pivotal in finalising the Civil Nuclear Deal with the USA in 2008 in the direction of India’s energy security; and as a public servant who brought key initiatives like the Right to Information Act. His integrity and reputation in the field of politics is enviable. The government declared a period of national mourning for seven days to honour his life and death.
The ongoing archaeological excavation in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh has unfolded region’s deep-rooted history intertwined with religious and cultural narratives. The discoveries – a series of wells like the Mrintujay Kup, used for religious purposes and the reopening of Kartikeshwar Mahadev Temple can play a crucial role in revitalising local heritage.
The excavation has gained a communal character due to advocacy by a religious group called Sanatan Sewak Sangh, lobbying for restoration of these ancient temple remains.
One Nation One Election Bill proposal was introduced in the Lok Sabha as the Constitution 129th Amendment Bill along with Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 during the Winter session. The bills propose conducting elections for the Lok Sabha as well as State Legislative Assemblies simultaneously, as was the case in early independence years, precisely until 1967.
Under new Article 82A, the term of all state assemblies will co terminate with the full term of the Lok Sabha. In case Lok Sabha is prematurely dissolved, amended Article 83 will allow mid-term election only for the unexpired term. The UT Laws Amendment Bill will seek to align the duration of Legislative assemblies of UT with the duration of LS and State Assemble elections.
The benefits include – reduced costs and administrative burdens. It will also curb policy paralysis by minimising periods of Model Code of Conducts and increase voter turnout, by decreasing electoral fatigue.
However, regional parties have expressed concerns that such a move will marginalise local voices under the shadow of National issues. Also, it seems difficult to build political consensus on the idea.
India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surpassed $1 trillion for the first time since 2000, demonstrating India’s strong position in the global market. India has successfully attracted foreign capital and investments to sustain her long-term growth.
The Government of India, also brought in around 102 tonnes of gold from the Reserve Bank of England in 2024 as part of its broader policy of RBI to increase its domestic gold holdings. As of September 2024, India held 854.73 metric tonnes of gold, with approximately 60% now stored within the country. This repatriation is a strategic move to handle geopolitical risks, and particularly concerns about the freezing of foreign reserves, as seen in the case of Russia. By bringing more gold home, India aims to enhance its financial sovereignty and reduce vulnerability to international conflicts, which seem to be on rise even in 2025.