The year 2024 has been a landmark period for India, marked by a series of pioneering achievements across diverse fields. From groundbreaking technological innovations and historic cultural milestones to remarkable sporting victories and social reforms, the nation has consistently broken new ground. These accomplishments, spanning space exploration, healthcare, arts, and governance, underscore a dynamic period of progress and global recognition.
Trailblazing Firsts in Technology and Science
India's scientific and technological prowess was on full display this year. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by developing the country's first indigenous semiconductor chip, named Vikram 3201. This marks a crucial step towards achieving self-reliance in chip manufacturing, a critical sector for modern electronics and defence.
In a related space feat, India's Aditya L-1 solar mission captured the first-ever image of a solar flare 'kernel', providing unprecedented data on the Sun's explosive magnetic activity. Further pushing aerospace boundaries, the Bengaluru-based startup Agnikul Cosmos successfully tested India's first 3D printed semi-cryogenic rocket engines, manufactured as a single piece without assembled joints.
On the robotics front, another Bengaluru startup, General Autonomy, unveiled Atom 01, hailed as India's first life-sized walking humanoid robot. Weighing 31kg, it was built at a cost of Rs 20 lakh, significantly cheaper than imported alternatives. In healthcare, a major breakthrough came with the development of Nafithromycin, the first homegrown antibiotic designed to combat multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria.
Historic Milestones in Society, Sports, and Culture
Social policy saw a revolutionary move from Karnataka, which became the first Indian state to offer menstrual leave. The policy entitles all working women aged 18 to 52 in formal jobs to one day of paid leave per month, though the decision has faced legal challenges. In development indicators, Mizoram was declared India's first fully literate state with a 98.2% literacy rate, while Kerala became the first state to eradicate extreme poverty after identifying and supporting 64,000 families.
The sporting arena witnessed extraordinary firsts. Para archer Sheetal Devi, the armless archer, made history by becoming the first para athlete selected for India's able-bodied archery team. In chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh became the first Indian to win the FIDE Women's World Cup, also making her the youngest player to lift the title. The viewership for cricket reached a historic parity, with the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup final drawing 185 million viewers, equalling the men's T20 World Cup final viewership from 2024.
Cultural achievements resonated globally. Filmmaker Anuparna Roy became the first Indian to win the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival for her indie film 'Songs of Forgotten Trees'. Author Banu Mushtaq became the first Kannada writer to win the International Booker Prize for her short story collection 'Heart Lamp'. In the art market, M.F. Husain's 1954 painting 'Gram Yatra' sold for $13.8 million (Rs 118 crore), becoming the first Indian artwork to cross the Rs 100 crore mark at auction.
Global Recognition and Infrastructure Feats
India's global integration and infrastructure development reached new heights. In a strategic military deployment, India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was used for the first time in live combat during Operation Sindoor in May, targeting Pakistani military facilities. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to enter the International Space Station for a two-week mission in June.
Economically, India implemented its first trade deal with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), making Swiss chocolates and wines more accessible. Reflecting a shift in global supply chains, Apple now manufactures all iPhone 17 models and the new iPhone Air in India, at its largest production facility outside the US located in Hyderabad. The same city also welcomed McDonald's first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India.
Tourism and infrastructure saw innovation with the launch of India's first 'digital nomad village' in Yakten, Sikkim, offering homestays and coworking spaces. Travel was further streamlined with the opening of India's first fully digital airport in Navi Mumbai, joining global hubs like London and Tokyo. On the global stage, the election of Zohran Mamdani as the first South Asian and Muslim mayor of New York City was closely watched in India, while comedian Zakir Khan became the first to perform in Hindi at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden.
Other notable firsts include mountaineer Bharath Thammineni becoming the first Indian to summit nine of the world's 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters, and the birth of five cubs to Mukhi, the first Indian cheetah to become a mother after being abandoned at birth. The year also saw the first batch of Indian deportees from the US arriving in Amritsar amidst a changed immigration landscape.
