Contemporary theoretical physics faces its most persistent challenge: constructing a coherent, predictive, and mathematically sound unification framework that merges quantum field theory with the geometric foundations of general relativity. Recent developments across gauge-theoretical, geometric, and scalar-discrete approaches have produced innovative directions aiming to bridge this foundational gap. This review synthesizes insights from modern gauge-gravity unification theories, including gauge-induced gravity, nonlinear geometric frameworks, holomorphic unification, consistent gauge actions, and quantum-field-theoretic treatments of gravity. Additionally, discrete scalar frameworks highlight alternative pathways beyond continuum geometry. By integrating these diverse viewpoints, the review identifies conceptual convergence points, assesses theoretical consistency, outlines mathematical innovations, and maps out open questions in the pursuit of a unified physical law. The objective is to present a clear, critical synthesis of current research trajectories and to highlight how modern gauge structures and geometric reformulations may ultimately lead to a full quantum theory of gravity compatible with the Standard Model.
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All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
The author confirms sole responsibility for the following: study conception and design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and manuscript preparation.
The authors did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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I thank the following individuals for their expertise and assistance in all aspects of our study and for their help in writing the manuscript. I am also grateful for the insightful comments given by anonymous peer reviewers. Everyone's generosity and expertise have improved this study in myriad ways and saved me from many errors.
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