States and Capitals

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States and Capitals – How Many States in India?

India, a vast South Asian nation and the world’s seventh-largest by land area, is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories, each with its own capital. These states and territories are further segmented into districts. New Delhi, situated in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, serves as India’s administrative, political, and cultural hub.

The states and capitals of India weave a rich and diverse tapestry, reflecting the country’s deep cultural heritage, traditions, and innovations. Exploring these regions offers a fascinating journey through time, blending ancient legacies with modern advancements, tradition with contemporary influence, and showcasing India’s remarkable unity in diversity.

In 1956, India reorganized its states according to linguistic demographics. Today, the country consists of 28 states and 8 Union Territories, home to nearly 400 cities. Among these, eight major metropolitan cities—Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Pune—are prominent. The Prime Minister has introduced a plan to develop 100 smart cities across the nation, with Indore being recognized as the Smart City for four consecutive years. Discover India’s dynamic urban landscape and its focus on modernization.

How many states in India?

India is the 7th largest country in the world by land area and the 2nd most populated. The country is divided into states and union territories so that the government can function properly. Below is a list of all 28 states, their capitals and the year they were formed.

S.NO	State	Capital	CM	Governor
1	Andhra Pradesh	Amaravati	Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu	S. Abdul Nazer
2	Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar	Pema Khandu	Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
3	Assam	Dispur	Himanta Biswa Sarma	Lakshman Prasad Acharya
4	Bihar	Patna	Nitish Kumar	Arif Mohammed Khan
5	Chhattisgarh	Raipur	Vishnu Deo Sai	Ramen Deka
6	Goa	Panaji	Pramod Sawant	P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
7	Gujarat	Gandhinagar	Bhupendra Patel	Acharya Dev Vrat
8	Haryana	Chandigarh	Nayab Singh Saini	Bandaru Dattatraya
9	Himachal Pradesh	Shimla	Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu	Shiv Pratap Shukla
10	Jharkhand	Ranchi	Hemant Soren	Santosh Kumar Gangwar
11	Karnataka	Bengaluru	Siddaramaiah	Thaawarchand Gehlot
12	Kerala	Thiruvananthapuram	Pinarayi Vijayan	Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
13	Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	Mohan Yadav	Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
14	Maharashtra	Mumbai	Devendra Fadnavis	C.P. Radhakrishnan
15	Manipur	Imphal	N. Biren Singh	Ajay Kumar Bhalla
16	Meghalaya	Shillong	Conrad Kongkal Sangma	C H Vijayashankar
17	Mizoram	Aizawl	Lalduhoma	General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd.)
18	Nagaland	Kohima	Neiphiu Rio	La. Ganesan
19	Odisha	Bhubaneswar	Mohan Charan Majhi	Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati
20	Punjab	Chandigarh	Bhagwant Singh Mann	Gulab Chand Kataria
21	Rajasthan	Jaipur	Bhajan Lal Sharma	Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde
22	Sikkim	Gangtok	PS Golay	Om Prakash Mathur
23	Tamil Nadu	Chennai	M. K. Stalin	R. N. Ravi
24	Telangana	Hyderabad	Anumula Revanth Reddy	Jishnu Dev Varma
25	Tripura	Agartala	Dr. Manik Saha	Indra Sena Reddy Nallu
26	Uttar Pradesh	Lucknow	Yogi Aditya Nath	Anandiben Patel
27	Uttarakhand	Dehradun	Pushkar Singh Dhami	Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh
28	West Bengal	Kolkata	Mamata Banerjee	Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose

Union Territories of India and Their Capitals

India has 8 union territories that are managed by the central government. Some of them have their own legislative assemblies. Below is the of these union territories and their capitals:

S.NO	Union Territories	Capital	CM	Lt. Governor
1	Andaman and Nicobar Island	Port Blair	NA	D K Joshi
2	Chandigarh	Chandigarh	NA	Banwarilal Purohit
3	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Daman	NA	Praful Patel
4	Delhi	Delhi	Rekha Gupta	Vinai Kumar Saxena
5	Ladakh	NA	NA	B. D. Mishra
6	Lakshadweep	Kavaratti	NA	Praful Patel
7	Jammu and Kashmir	NA	Omar Abdullah	Manoj Sinha
8	Puducherry	Pondicherry	N. Rangaswamy	C. P. Radhakrishnan

Difference Between States and Union Territories

India is divided into states and Union Territories for administrative purposes. They are in different in how they are governed.

Basis of Difference	States	Union Territories
Head of Administration	Governor	Administrator or Lieutenant Governor
Government Type	Elected by the People	Managed by the central government
Powers	Shares power with the central government.	Controlled directly by the central government.

Indian States and their Languages

India is a country with a rich and diverse linguistic heritage. There are over 121 languages spoken in India, and each state has its unique linguistic landscape. The Indian Constitution recognizes 22 languages as “scheduled languages,” which are given special status in government and education.

S. No.	States	Language
1	Andhra Pradesh	Telugu and Urdu
2	Arunachal Pradesh	Miji, Apotanji, Merdukpen, Tagin, Adi, Honpa, Banging-Nishi
3	Assam	Assamese
4	Bihar	Hindi
5	Chhattisgarh	Hindi
6	Goa	Marathi Konkani
7	Gujarat	Gujarati
8	Haryana	Hindi
9	Himachal Pradesh	Hindi and Pahari
10	Jharkhand	Hindi
11	Karnataka	Kannada
12	Kerala	Malayalam
13	Madhya Pradesh	Hindi
14	Maharashtra	Marathi
15	Manipur	Manipuri
16	Meghalaya	Khashi, Jaintia, And Garo
17	Mizoram	Mizo and English
18	Nagaland	Ao, Konyak, Angami, Sema, and Lotha
19	Odisha	Oriya
20	Punjab	Punjabi
21	Rajasthan	Rajasthani and Hindi
22	Sikkim	Bhutia, Hindi, Nepali, Lepcha, Limbu
23	Tamil Nadu	Tamil
24	Telangana	Telugu
25	Tripura	Bengali, Tripuri, Manipuri, Kakborak
26	Uttar Pradesh	Hindi
27	Uttarakhand	Hindi
28	West Bengal	Bengali

Some Key Facts About Indian States

Each state in India is unique and has something special. Here are some interesting facts about a few states:

Andhra Pradesh: Famous for spicy food and historical sites like Charminar.
Assam: Know for tea gardens and Kaziranga National Park, home to the one-horned rhinoceros.
Bihar: A place with a rich history, home to Bodh Gaya and the ancient city of Pataliputra.
Goa: Popular for beautiful beaches and a lively nightlife.
Kerala: Famous for its backwaters, Ayurveda treatments and lush green nature.
Maharashtra: Mumbai, the financial capital, is also home to Bollywood.
Himachal Pradesh: Known for stunning hill stations and adventure sports.
Tamil Nadu: Famous for classical dance forms and grand temples.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025: A Salute to Valor

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26 to honor the brave soldiers of India who won the Kargil War in 1999. In 2025, India marks the 26th anniversary of this historic victory. It’s a day of pride, remembrance and gratitude for the sacrifice and courage shown by the Indian Armed Forces.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 – Date

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2025 will be observed on July 26, 2025. This day marks the 26th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War. It is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought to protect our nation. Schools and citizens honor their courage without patriotic activities.

What was the Kargil War?

The Kargil War began in May 1999 when enemy soldiers crossed into Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir. They secretly took over high mountain peaks.

India responded with ”Operation Vijay,” sending over 200,000 soldiers to recapture the land. The war was fought in extremely tough mountain conditions. Brave soldiers climbed snowy cliffs and fought day and night to reclaim important places like Tiger Hill and Tololing.

After nearly two months of fighting, India declared victory on July 26, 1999. Over 500 soldiers lost their lives in this war, including heroes like Captain Vikram Batra, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime honor.

Why Do We Celebrate Kargil War Diwas?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a reminder of:

The bravery and dedication of our soldiers
The unity and spirit of the Indian people
The need to remember those who protect us every day
The importance of patriotism and peace

For students, it’s a day to learn about real heroes and feel proud of our country.

How is Kargil Vijay Diwas Celebrated?

Across India, people pay tribute in many ways:

Wreath-laying ceremonies at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras
Speeches by army officers and special guests
Documentaries, songs and patriotic performances
TV and newspaper stories about the heroes of Kargil
Meetings with families of the fallen soldiers

These events help everyone remember the true meaning of sacrifice and service.

Kargil Vijay Diwas in Schools

Schools play an important role in keeping the memory of Kargil alive. Students can take part in:

Morning assemblies with patriotic songs and poems
Talks by army officers to hear real war stories
Quiz contests about the Kargil War and heroes
Poster-making and essay competitions on bravery
Movie screenings, like Shershaah, based on war stories
Group projects on soldiers and battles
Online quizzes and virtual events for remote learners

These activities teach teamwork, leadership and respect for the nation.

List of Countries Starting with the Letter ‘N’, Know About Them

There are over 195 countries in the world, and many of them have names that begin with different letters. Some countries start with the letter ‘N’, and they are found in various parts of the world like Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. In this article, we will explore the list of countries that begin with ‘N’ and learn some simple facts about each one.

Countries Starting with the Letter ‘N’

There are many countries in the world, and some of them have names that start with the letter ‘N’. These countries are found in different parts of the world and have their own special cultures, landscapes and histories.

Here are the names of countries starting the letter ‘N’:

Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway

Namibia

Continent: Africa
Capital: Windhoek
Currency: Namibian Dollar

Namibia is a country in southern Africa, located along the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It shares borders with Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek. Namibia is known for its deserts, wildlife and beautiful landscapes. It is close to Zimbabwe near the Zambezi River.

Nauru

Continent: Oceania
Capital: No official capital
Currency: Australian Dollar

Nauru is a small island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Micronesia region in Oceania. Once called Pleasant Island, Nauru is one of the world’s smallest nations. Its nearest neighbor is Banaba Island in Kiribati, located about 300 kilometers to the east.

Nepal

Continent: Asia
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese rupee

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Africa, mainly located in the Himalayas. It borders China to the north and India on the other sides. Nepal has plains, hills and mountains, including Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Its capital is Kathmandu, and Nepali is the official language in this diverse and cultural nation.

Netherlands

Continent: Europe
Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: euro

The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It has 12 provinces and borders Germany, Belgium and the North Sea. The capital is Amsterdam, and the people are called Dutch. The official language is Dutch, with other languages used in some regions and islands.

New Zealand

Continent: Oceania
Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand dollar

New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, made up of two main islands and over 600 smaller ones. It lies east of Australia and south of Fiji and Tonga. Known for its mountains, volcanoes and natural beauty, New Zealand’s capital is Wellington and its largest city is Auckland.

Nicaragua

Continent: North America
Capital: Managua
Currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America by area, covering about 130,370 square kilometers. As of 2024, it has a population of over 7 million, making it the third most populated country in the region after Guatemala and Honduras. Nicaragua is known for its lakes, volcanoes and rich cultural history.

Niger

Continent: Africa
Capital: Niamey
Currency: West African CFA franc

Niger is a large landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by seven other nations, including Nigeria and Algeria. It covers about 1.27 million square kilometers, with over 80% of its land in the Sahara Desert. Most of its 25 million people live in the south and west. The capital city is Niamey, near the Niger River.

Nigeria

Continent: Africa
Capital: Abuja
Currency: Nigerian Naira

Nigeria is a country in West Africa, located between the Sahel and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the most populated country in Africa, with over 230 million people. Nigeria has 36 states and a capital city, Abuja. Its largest city is Lagos, one of the biggest cities in the world.

North Korea

Continent: Asia
Capital: Pyongyang
Currency: North Korean Won

North Korea is a country in East Asia, located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. It borders China, Russia and South Korea, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. The capital city is Pyongyang. North Korea is known for its strict government and closed society.

North Macedonia

Continent: Europe
Capital: Skopje
Currency: denar

North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, bordered by Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo and Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Skopje, home to a large part of its 1.83 million population. Most people are ethnic Macedonians, with Albanians and other groups like Turks and Roma also living there.

Norway

Continent: Europe
Capital: Oslo
Currency: Norwegian Krone

Norway is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It includes Arctic islands like Svalbard and Jan Mayen. The capital and largest city is Oslo and the population is about 5.6 million. Norway shares borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia and has a long coastline along the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

Top-10 Countries with the Highest Number of Women per 100 Men

In many countries around the world, the number of women is either equal to or more than men. This difference can happen due to many reasons like longer life expectancy for women, health issues, wars or migration. In this article, we will look at the top-10 countries that have the highest number of women compared to men.

Country with the Most Women Compared to Men

Djibouti, a small country in East Africa, has the biggest gap between the number of women and men. For every 100 men, there are about 120 women. That means women make up a much larger part of the population. One of the main reason is that many men leave the country to work overseas, leaving more women behind.

How do We Count the Female Population?

The female population is measured by looking at how many women live in a country, especially when compared to the number of men. If there are more women than men, we say the female population is higher. While the world as a whole has slightly more men, many countries actually have more women.

Why do Some Countries Have More Women?

There are a few reasons why women outnumber men in certain countries:

Migration: Men leave to work in other places.
Longer Life Expectancy: Women often live longer than men.
War or Conflict: Some countries lost more men during wars.
Social Factors: Health, lifestyle and work conditions can impact men more.

Top-10 Countries with the Highest Number of Women per 100 Men

Here is the list of the countries where women are more than men, using the number of women per 100 men:

Rank	Country	Women per 100 Men
1.	Djibouti	120
2.	Hong Kong	116
3.	Lithuania	116
4.	Bahamas	116
5.	Russia	115
6.	Belarus	115
7.	Latvia	115
8.	Anguilla	114
9.	Puerto Rico	112
10.	Moldova	112

Shashi Tharoor Biography, Know About His Early Life, Age, Political and Literacy Career

Shashi Tharoor is a well-known Indian politician, writer, public speaker and former diplomat. Born on 9 March 1956, he is known for his deep knowledge, eloquent speeches and powerful writings on Indian history, politics and culture. A senior leader in the Indian National Congress (INC), he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, since 2009.

Shashi Tharoor – Early Life and Education

Shashi Tharoor was born in London to a Malayali Nair family from Kerala. His parents returned to India when he was just 2 years old. He studied at Montfort School in Yercaud and later at Campion School in Mumbai.

He completed his graduation in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, where he was active in student politics and even started the quiz club. Later, he went to the U.S. and earned his Master’s, M.A.L.D. and Ph.D. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. At just 22, he became the youngest Ph.D. holder in the school’s history.

Diplomatic Career at the United States

Tharoor joined the United Nations in 1978 and served there for 29 years.

Refugee Work: He began at the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and helped Vietnamese and Polish refugees.
Peacekeeping: In the 1900s, he was involved in peacekeeping efforts in war-torn Yugoslavia.
Top UN Role: In 2001, he became the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, the highest-ranking Indian in the UN at the time.
UN Secretary-General Race: In 2006, he was India’s official candidate for UN Secretary-General but came second to Ban ki-moon.

He resigned from the UN in 2007.

Political Career of Shashi Tharoor

In 2009, Tharoor joined the Indian National Congress and contested the Lok Sabha elections from Thiruvananthapuram. Despite criticism as an ”outsider,” he won with a large margin.

In Government

Minister of State for External Affairs (2009-2010): Handled Africa, Latin America and the Gulf region. Also focused on Hajj and passport services.
Minister of State for Human Resource Development (2012-2014): Focused on higher education and adult literacy.

Tharoor was known for bringing a modern, tech-savvy approach to Indian politics, using Twitter to connect with the public.

In Opposition

Since 2014, Tharoor has served as an MP in the opposition and held significant parliamentary positions, including:

Chairman of Parliamentary Committtee on External Affairs
Chairman of Committee on Communications and Information Technology.

He has represented India globally, even under governments led by other parties, such as the Modi-led NDA. In 2025, he led India’s diplomatic delegation during ”Operation Sindoor” to address cross-border terrorism.

Literacy Career of Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor is a prolific author and has written over two dozen books. His writing style combines wit, deep analysis and rich vocabulary. His books include:

Fiction

The Great Indian Novel
Riot
Show Business

Non-Fiction Highlights

India: From Midnight to the Millennium
An Era of Darkness/ Inglorious Empire
Why I am a Hindu
The Paradoxical Prime Minister
The Battle of Belonging
Ambedkar: A Life
A Wonderland of Words (2024)

His Oxford Union speech on colonial reparations went viral and inspired his bestselling book An Era of Darkness.

Personal Life of Shashi Tharoor

Married three times: to Tilottama Mukherji (2 sons), Christa Giles and Sunanda Pushkar (who passed away in 2014).
His sons, Ishaan and Kanishk, are successful writers.
Tharoor is a vegetarian, a devout Hindu and fluent in Malayalam.

Awards and Honors

Sahitya Akademi Award (2019)
Global Leader of Tomorrow by World Economic Forum
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2004)
Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (France, 2022)
Commander of the Order of Charles III (Spain, 2012)

Philanthropy and Public Engagement

Participated in Swachh Bharat Mission.
Advisor to India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (I.I.M.U.N.)
Active in disaster relief and education advocacy.

10 Years of Skill India: How India’s Youth Are Being Future-Proofed!

The Skill India Mission, launched on 15th July 2015, marked a pivotal step toward equipping India’s youth with job-relevant skills in a rapidly transforming economy. Aimed at transforming India into the “Skill Capital of the World”, the mission has now completed a decade, with several flagship schemes such as PMKVY, PM-NAPS, and JSS playing a central role. The initiative has trained over 6 crore individuals, driving progress in employability, entrepreneurship, and industry-readiness across traditional and emerging sectors.

Background

The need for a large-scale skilling program was triggered by India’s demographic dividend, where over 65% of the population is under 35 years of age. However, skill gaps across sectors and a low rate of formal skilling demanded strategic government intervention. The UNGA-declared World Youth Skills Day (15 July) became the launchpad for the Skill India Mission, which consolidated multiple schemes under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Significance

Skill India serves as a backbone for India’s economic transformation. It aims to meet industry demand, promote self-reliance, reduce unemployment, and foster inclusion. By training individuals in AI, robotics, green energy, and Industry 4.0 technologies, it ensures future-readiness. The Mission has direct implications on national programs like Digital India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aligning workforce capabilities with strategic goals.

Objectives

Provide industry-aligned, short-term and long-term training to youth.
Foster entrepreneurship and apprenticeship through structured programs.
Ensure recognition of prior learning (RPL) and certification.
Promote inclusive skilling for marginalized communities including school dropouts and women.
Strengthen linkages with employment opportunities and digital governance frameworks.

Key Features

Unified structure with integration of PMKVY 4.0, PM-NAPS, and JSS under one Central Sector Scheme (2022–26).
All certifications aligned with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and integrated with DigiLocker and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
Use of Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for monitoring, tracking outcomes, and enabling Aadhaar-based skilling verification.
Sector-specific training in manufacturing, healthcare, IT, green jobs, and traditional crafts.
Establishment of Centres of Excellence at NSTIs (e.g., Hyderabad and Chennai) for cutting-edge skilling in AI and robotics.

Major Initiatives and Achievements

1. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

Trained over 1.63 crore individuals in 10 years.
Four phases completed with focus on short-term skilling, Covid-19 warriors, and integration with Green Hydrogen Mission and PM Vishwakarma.

2. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme

Community-based program for non-literates and school dropouts.
Over 26 lakh individuals trained between FY 2018–24.

3. PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)

Offers 25% DBT-based stipend support.
Over 43.47 lakh apprentices engaged till May 2025.

4. RSETIs and DDU-GKY

RSETIs: Over 5.67 million rural youth trained in entrepreneurship.
DDU-GKY: Ensures wage employment for rural youth under NRLM.

5. PM Vishwakarma Yojana

Launched in 2023 to support traditional artisans with tools, digital payments, and credit.

Emerging Focus Areas

AI and Digital Skills: 2025 theme emphasizes future-ready learning.
Green Jobs: Integration with national environmental goals.
Micro-Credentials and Credit Portability: Via NCrF and ULLAS.
Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging industry-academia collaboration.

NASA launches TRACERS Mission to Study Earth’s Magnetic Defense Against Space Storms

NASA has launched the TRACERS mission (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) to better understand how Earth’s magnetic field protects the planet from solar storms and space weather. The mission is aimed at studying magnetic reconnection—a process where the Sun’s magnetic field interacts with Earth’s magnetic shield, causing energy bursts that can impact satellites, power grids, and communications.

Background

The TRACERS mission was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. It includes two small satellites flying closely together to study the polar cusp—a region near the North Pole where the Earth’s magnetic field is most directly affected by solar activity.

Objectives

The primary aim of TRACERS is to observe and measure magnetic reconnection and energy transfer in the polar cusp region. These insights will help scientists understand how solar particles and energy enter Earth’s upper atmosphere, impacting crucial systems on Earth and in space.

Key Features

Two satellites flying just 10 seconds apart
Collecting over 3,000 measurements within a year
Real-time monitoring of solar energy impacts on Earth’s atmosphere
Investigating space weather effects on communication systems, GPS navigation, and electric grids

Additional Payloads on the Same Launch

Athena EPIC: Focuses on reducing future satellite costs and studying Earth’s radiation.
PExT: Demonstrates a new roaming-style signal system for dual-network satellite communication.
REAL: A small CubeSat studying the escape of harmful electrons from the Van Allen radiation belts.

Global and Indian Significance

For countries like India, which depend heavily on satellite-based navigation, communication, and weather forecasting, understanding space weather is vital. TRACERS will help reduce the risk posed by solar storms to ISRO missions, national infrastructure, and future space exploration.

Collaborations

The mission is led by David Miles of the University of Iowa and includes partners like NASA Goddard Space Centre, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Southwest Research Institute. Other projects involve the U.S. Space Force, Dartmouth College, and Montana State University.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Hits $1.1 Billion Net Worth Milestone

Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai has officially entered the billionaire club, with his net worth surpassing $1.1 billion. This financial milestone was primarily driven by a sharp increase in Alphabet’s stock price and the company’s deep investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Pichai’s journey reflects a remarkable rise from modest beginnings in Tamil Nadu to global tech leadership.

Background

Sundar Pichai joined Google in 2004, contributing significantly to the development of key products like Google Chrome and Android. In 2015, he became CEO of Google, the same year the company restructured to form Alphabet Inc.. By 2019, Pichai was elevated to CEO of Alphabet itself. Unlike other tech billionaires who are company founders, Pichai built his fortune through strategic leadership and long-term vision.

Key Factors Behind His Wealth Surge

The surge in Alphabet’s stock value by over 120% since early 2023 played a major role in Pichai’s rising net worth. Alphabet added over $1 trillion in market capitalisation, supported by strong financial results and confidence in its AI-driven future. Pichai, despite holding only 0.02% of Alphabet’s stock, has gained significantly through stock sales and compensation packages.

Focus on Artificial Intelligence

Under Pichai’s leadership, Alphabet has made AI a central focus. This began with the $400 million acquisition of DeepMind in 2014 and has since expanded, with the company investing nearly $50 billion in AI infrastructure in 2024 alone. Pichai emphasized the importance of AI during a recent earnings call, citing it as critical for supporting cloud service demands.

Impact and Recognition

Earlier this month, Sundar Pichai became Alphabet’s longest-serving CEO, completing nearly a decade at the helm. His story is inspirational, showing how talent and vision can overcome humble beginnings. He is now among the few self-made billionaires in tech who did not start the company they lead.

PM Modi Makes History: Breaks Indira Gandhi’s Record as India’s 2nd Longest Serving PM!

On July 25, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a major milestone by surpassing Indira Gandhi’s record of 4,077 consecutive days in office. With this, he became India’s second-longest serving Prime Minister in a single uninterrupted term, solidifying his position in India’s political history.

Background

Indira Gandhi served continuously from January 1966 to March 1977. PM Modi, who first took office on May 26, 2014, crossed this record on July 25, 2025, completing 4,078 days in office. His political journey began in 2001 as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, and he has since led governments at both the state and national levels for nearly 24 years.

Key Achievements

Modi is the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve two full terms with a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. He is also the first post-independence born Prime Minister to hold the office and the longest-serving PM from a non-Hindi-speaking state. He led the BJP to three consecutive general election victories, a record only matched by Jawaharlal Nehru before him.

Significance

This achievement reflects the strong electoral support PM Modi continues to enjoy. It also shows the BJP’s sustained dominance in Indian politics under his leadership. His long tenure has allowed continuity in key policies and a consistent approach to governance and foreign affairs.

Political Impact

Modi’s political success has reshaped India’s political narrative. He has centralized power, strengthened the executive, and played a critical role in shaping India’s global image. His leadership has also influenced the emergence of nationalist political discourse and significant electoral reforms.

DRDO Successfully Test-Fires Drone-Launched Missile ULPGM-V3

India has made a significant leap in indigenous defence capabilities with the successful flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This marks an important milestone in India’s efforts toward self-reliance in high-end military technology.

Background

The ULPGM project is part of India’s broader push to integrate advanced missile systems with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The recent trial was conducted at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile has been developed in collaboration with Indian private sector partners including MSMEs, start-ups, and Defence Capital Procurement Partners (DcPPs).

Significance

The successful test of ULPGM-V3 highlights India’s growing competence in drone warfare and precision strike technologies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as proof of Indian industry’s readiness to absorb and produce critical defence technologies, enhancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Features

The ULPGM-V3, also called ULM-ER (Extended Range), is a fire-and-forget air-to-surface missile.
It weighs 12.5 kg and uses passive homing with an imaging infrared seeker, making it effective both day and night.
The missile has a dual-thrust solid propulsion unit and a maximum range of 4 km (day) and 2.5 km (night).
It supports a two-way datalink and offers multiple warhead options for engaging static and moving targets.
The missile is manufactured in partnership with Adani and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), while DRDO leads the design and testing.

Variants

The ULPGM comes in three known variants,

ULPGM V1 – Baseline prototype.
ULPGM V2 – Production-ready model.
ULPGM V3 (ULM-ER) – Extended-range with upgraded guidance and range.

France to Recognise Palestinian State: A Diplomatic Shift in the Middle East

In a major foreign policy move, France has announced it will officially recognise the State of Palestine in September 2025. This will make it the first G7 country to do so. The declaration, made by President Emmanuel Macron, signals a significant change in Europe’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and comes amid continuing violence in Gaza.

Background

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has lasted over seven decades, centered around disputes over land, sovereignty, and mutual recognition. Since 1988, over 140 UN member states have recognised Palestine. However, key global powers like the US, UK, and most G7 nations have held back, citing lack of a peace agreement.

Significance

France’s move is symbolic and strategic. It reflects growing European frustration with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the lack of progress toward a two-state solution. As a permanent UN Security Council member, France’s recognition carries diplomatic weight and may influence other Western countries.

Key Objectives

Macron stated the objectives include,

Supporting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Encouraging the demilitarisation of Hamas.
Rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure.
Establishing a viable Palestinian state that recognises Israel’s right to exist and contributes to regional stability.

International Response

Palestinian officials welcomed the move as aligned with international law.
Israel condemned it, stating it “rewards terror” post the October 2023 Hamas attacks.
The US rejected the decision, calling it “reckless”, while Saudi Arabia and over 100 global organisations praised it.
UK PM Keir Starmer signalled openness to recognition following a ceasefire.

Challenges Ahead

Recognition does not resolve core issues such as,

Borders and Jerusalem’s status.
Security concerns raised by Israel.
The divided leadership between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.
US opposition could hinder wider Western support.