States and Capitals

Featured

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.

Weekly Current Affairs One Liners 21st to 27th July, 2025

Weekly Current Affairs One-Liners

Current Affairs 2025 plays a very important role in the competitive examinations and hence, aspirants have to give undivided attention to it while preparing for the government examinations. The banking, SSC, Railways or insurance examinations comprise a section of “General Awareness” to evaluate how much the aspirant is aware of the daily happenings taking place around the world. To complement your preparation, we are providing you with a compilation of the current affairs of the last week.

The Weekly One-Liners provides all-important news from | 21st to 27th July, 2025. Here is the list of some of the most important news of the last week:

GP Birla Memorial Award 2025
PEN Translates Award 2025
Bold Kurukshetra 2025

The inclusion of current affairs in these examinations highlights the importance of being well-informed about both national and international events. It tests the aspirants’ understanding of their environment and their ability to interpret and analyze global trends. These topics often cover a wide range of subjects, from political developments and economic changes to scientific advancements and cultural shifts.

Our weekly compilation aims to provide a concise yet thorough overview of significant events, enabling aspirants to efficiently grasp key details necessary for their exam preparation. By integrating current affairs into their study regimen, candidates can significantly enhance their General Awareness, a critical factor in achieving success in competitive exams. This approach not only prepares them for the specific requirements of the exam but also broadens their overall perspective, an essential attribute in today’s interconnected world.

To revise the current affairs of 21st to 27th July, 2025 click on the link below to download the PDF:

Download the Weekly One-Liners from | 21st to 27th July, 2025

Top-10 Countries that Drink Most Coffee in the World Per Capita

Coffee is one of the most loved drinks in the world. People enjoy it in the morning to feel fresh or during the day to relax and stay active. In many countries, coffee is not just a drink but also a part of daily life and culture. Some countries drink more coffee than others, especially when we took at how much each person drinks on average in a year.

Top-10 Countries that Drink Most Coffee Per Capita

Finland is the country that drink most coffee per capita, with an average coffee consumption of 12.0 kg per person per year, followed by Norway, Iceland and Denmark.

Here is the list of top-10 countries that drink most coffee per capita:

Rank	Country	Coffee Consumed Per Person (per year)
1.	Finland	12.0 kg
2.	Norway	9.9 kg
3.	Iceland	9 kg
4.	Denmark	8.7 kg
5.	Netherlands	8.4 kg
6.	Sweden	8.2 kg
7.	Switzerland	7.9 kg
8.	Belgium	6.8 kg
9.	Luxembourg	6.5 kg
10.	Canada	6.2 kg

Finland

Coffee consumption per person: 12 kg

People in Finland drink more coffee than anywhere else in the world. Each person drinks about 4-5 cups daily. Light roasted filter coffee is the most popular. Coffee breaks are part of everyday life and even required by law in many workplaces. It’s a strong part of Finnish culture.

Norway

Coffee consumption per person: 9.9kg

In Norway, coffee is a daily habit. Most people drink several cups of black coffee every day, especially in the morning. A traditional brewing method called ”kokekaffe” is still used. Coffee is often shared with friends and family, making it a big part of social life.

Iceland

Coffee consumption per person: 9 kg

Icelanders love coffee, especially during the cold weather. People drink it at home, in cafes and at work. Despite its small population, Iceland has a strong café culture. Coffee is enjoyed all day long and helps keep people warm and awake during long, dark winters.

Denmark

Coffee consumption per person: 8.7 kg

Coffee is part of the Danish concept of ”hygge,” which means enjoying simple, cozy moments. Danes often drink coffee several times a day, especially with cakes or pastries. It’s common during family time or while relaxing with friends in a warm and calm setting.

Netherlands

Coffee consumption per person: 8.4 kg

In the Netherlands, coffee is enjoyed throughout the day. It is mostly served back or with a little milk. Offering coffee to guests is seen as a kind and welcoming gesture. Coffee is an important part of daily routines and social gatherings.

Which is the Largest Mangrove Forest in the World?

India is a land of rich natural beauty, with many different types of forests. Among them, one special kind is the mangrove forest, which grows where rivers meet the sea. These forests are full of life and help protect the environment. India has several mangrove forests, but one stands out as the biggest and most famous of them all. Let’s explore more about this amazing forest.

What are Mangrove Forests?

Mangrove forests are special coastal forests found in tropical and subtropical areas. These forests grow where rivers meet the sea and are filled with salt-tolerant trees that thrive in muddy and swampy land. Mangroves protect our coastlines from storms and floods, clean the air and water, and provide homes to many birds, animals and fish.

Largest Mangrove Forest in the World

The largest mangrove forest in the world is the Sundarbans, located in India and Bangladesh. It covers an area of 10,000 square kilometers and is known for its thick mangrove trees and rich wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Sundarbans also protect coastal areas from floods and storms, making it very important for nature and people.

Where is the Sundarbans Located?

The Sundarbans is located in the southern part of West Bengal, India and Bangladesh. It lies in the large delta formed by three rivers – the Ganga (Ganges), Brahmaputra and Meghna – as they flow into the Bay of Bengal.

While a big part of the Sundarbans lies in Bangladesh, the Indian part is also huge and very important.

How Big is the Sundarbans?

The entire Sundarbans forest covers over 10,000 square kilometers.
The Indian side has about 4,200 square kilometers of forests and 2,200 square kilometers of water bodies, like rivers and creeks.
It is the largest mangrove forest in the world.

What makes the Sundarbans So Special?

Rich Wildlife

The Sundarbans is full of life:

Royal Bengal Tigers – the only mangrove forest where tigers live and swim.
Saltwater crocodiles
Spotted deer, monkeys, otters and many fish and bird species
Over 80 different mangrove plant species

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Because of its amazing nature and importance, the Sundarbans National Park (India) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Protects People and Nature

The mangrove trees:

Stop floods and high waves
Reduce damage from cyclones
Prevent soil erosion
Help people living in coastal villages survive extreme weather

Problems the Sundarbans Faces

Even though the Sundarbans is strong, it is in danger from:

Climate change and rising sea levels
Pollution
Cutting down trees and illegal activities
Cyclones and storms that are getting stronger

Many people and organizations are working to protect and save this precious forest.

Do You Know What is the Old Name of Patna?

Patna is a well-known city in India with a long and rich history. It is the capital of Bihar and one of the oldest cities in the country. Many important kings and empires once ruled from this place. The city has seen great changes over time, including its name. Before being called Patna, it was known by a different name in ancient times.

Old Name of Patna

In ancient times, Patna was known as Pataliputra. This city was very famous and powerful in its time. It was not just any city – it was the main center of politics, learning and culture in ancient India. Great rulers made it their capital.

When Did the Name Pataliputra Start?

The name Pataliputra came into use around the 5th century BCE. It was founded by Ajatashatru, a king from the Magadha kingdom. Later, famous emperors like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka the Great ruled their empires from here.

What does the Name Pataliputra Mean?

The word ”Pataliputra” is made of two parts:

Patali – a kind of tree of flower
Putra – meaning son

So, the name is believed to mean ”son of the Patali tree.” Some ancient stories also explain how the name came from legends and nature.

How did the Name Change to Patna?

As time passed and different rulers came, the name slowly changed. During the medieval period, and especially under the Mughals, people began calling it Patna instead of Pataliputra. By the time the British arrived, Patna was the commonly used name, and it became official.

Why was Pataliputra So Important?

Pataliputra was more than just a capital city:

It was a hub of education with great scholars.
It was a center for trade and religion.
Visitors like Megasthenes (from Greece) and Faxian (from China) described it as a big, beautiful city with strong walls and lovely gardens.

What is Patna known for Today?

Today, Patna is a busy and growing city with a deep historical background. It is:

One of the oldest living cities in the world
Near Nalanda and Vikramshila, old centers of learning
Close to Bodh Gaya, a sacred place in Buddhism
Famous for its Ganga ghats, schools and festivals

Madhya Pradesh Unveils Monthly Assistance for Unemployed Youth: A Step Towards Inclusive Welfare

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a new initiative offering monthly stipends to unemployed youth—₹6,000 for women and ₹5,000 for men—to support skill development through industrial internships. The scheme complements existing welfare programs like the Ladli Behna Yojana, expanding its scope to include male beneficiaries under the informal tag ‘Ladli Bhaiyo’.

Background

Madhya Pradesh has a large youth demographic, with over 1.5 crore young individuals, including 1.53 crore aged 20–30. Addressing unemployment and skill mismatch has long been a priority. Earlier attempts, like the Yuva Swabhiman Rojgar Yojana (2019), offered urban job guarantees with ₹4,000 stipends but were discontinued due to administrative changes.

Objectives

The primary goals of this new initiative are,

To provide financial support to unemployed youth.
To encourage industrial internships that improve practical skills.
To strengthen the industrial ecosystem by creating a skilled workforce.

Key Features

Monthly stipend: ₹6,000 for women and ₹5,000 for men.
Open to youth interning in industries registered under the scheme.
Integrated with Ladli Behna Yojana, where beneficiaries will now receive ₹1,500/month post-Diwali, gradually increasing to ₹3,000 by 2028.
Special provisions for festival-time incentives.
The Acharpura Industrial Area, near Bhopal, is being developed as a special industrial hub.

Significance

This move reflects a gender-sensitive welfare approach, encouraging women’s participation in the workforce. By involving industries, it aligns employment with economic development, ensuring that youth gain on-the-job training while earning support income.

PM Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Gift to King Charles III – Strengthening Green Diplomacy

During his UK visit in July 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a tree sapling to King Charles III at Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. The gesture was part of India’s environmental initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, aimed at promoting tree plantation in honour of mothers. This symbolic act also reflected shared environmental values and growing Indo-UK cooperation.

Background

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ is a green initiative launched by PM Modi to encourage people to plant trees in tribute to their mothers. It emphasizes environmental responsibility and personal emotional connection with nature. The movement is part of India’s broader efforts toward climate action and ecological sustainability.

Significance

The sapling gift signifies India’s commitment to green diplomacy and its effort to engage global leaders in environmental causes. King Charles III has long advocated sustainable living, organic farming, and climate action, making this a meaningful gesture. It also showcased India’s cultural values and soft power on the world stage.

Objective

The main aim of this initiative is to,

Encourage citizen-led afforestation
Create personal emotional links with sustainability
Promote global awareness of India’s green missions
Strengthen environmental cooperation with like-minded nations

Key Features of the Gift

The sapling gifted is a Davidia involucrata ‘Sonoma’, also known as the Sonoma dove tree or handkerchief tree.
This ornamental species is known for its early blooming (2–3 years) and distinctive white bracts, which resemble fluttering handkerchiefs or doves.
It is to be planted during the autumn season at the royal estate.

Impact

The meeting also strengthened ties on other fronts such as the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (CETA), Yoga and Ayurveda cooperation, and youth engagement through sports diplomacy. The sapling symbolizes a long-term green partnership between India and the UK and supports India’s international image as a leader in climate responsibility.

World Mangrove Day: Preserving Nature’s Coastal Guardians

World Mangrove Day, observed every year on July 26, is an important environmental awareness day dedicated to the protection and conservation of mangrove ecosystems. Recognized officially by UNESCO in 2015, this day serves as a reminder of the immense ecological value mangroves offer — from acting as natural shields against coastal disasters to serving as carbon sinks that combat climate change. With almost half of the world’s mangrove forests lost since 1980, the urgency to restore and preserve them has never been greater.

What Are Mangroves?

Mangroves are a specialized group of trees and shrubs that grow in coastal saline or brackish water in tropical and subtropical regions. Their intertwined root systems allow them to survive in environments with high salinity, low oxygen, and regular tidal flooding. Approximately 110 species of mangroves exist globally. These unique adaptations enable mangroves to stabilize shorelines and provide breeding grounds for a wide variety of aquatic organisms.

History and Origin of World Mangrove Day

World Mangrove Day was declared by UNESCO in July 2015 during its General Conference to commemorate Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian environmentalist who died defending mangrove forests. This initiative was born from the recognition of rapid mangrove deforestation, primarily due to aquaculture, urbanization, and logging. The day focuses on raising awareness, encouraging local action, and driving global policies that promote the sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems.

Importance of Mangrove Ecosystems

Natural Disaster Defense: Mangroves act as natural barriers against tsunamis, storms, and tidal surges, minimizing loss of life and property. A well-known example is a village in Tamil Nadu, India, which remained largely unaffected during the 2004 tsunami thanks to its surrounding mangrove buffer.
Carbon Sequestration – The ‘Blue Carbon’ Role: Mangrove forests store five times more carbon dioxide per hectare than tropical forests, making them crucial in the fight against climate change.
Biodiversity Hotspots: Their intricate root systems provide a nursery habitat for juvenile fishes, crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and even endangered species like tigers and crocodiles.
Livelihood Support: Mangroves offer sustainable resources such as honey, silk, and seafood to local communities. They can be harvested responsibly without degrading the ecosystem.

Threats to Mangrove Forests

Shrimp Farming and Aquaculture

One of the biggest threats, where mangroves are cleared to build shrimp ponds, causing irreversible damage through chemical use and soil degradation.

Deforestation for Wood and Charcoal

Mangrove wood is highly valued for fuel and construction, leading to widespread illegal logging.

Urban Expansion and Infrastructure Projects

Diversion of rivers, road construction, and industrial development have led to major habitat loss, especially as mangroves typically grow along estuaries and river mouths.

Climate Change Impacts

Rising sea levels and increased salinity can affect the delicate balance required for mangroves to survive.

How to Observe World Mangrove Day

Plant a Mangrove Sapling: If you live in or visit a coastal area, participate in a community-led plantation drive using native mangrove species.
Educate and Advocate: Organize awareness sessions, school workshops, or social media campaigns to highlight the importance of mangroves.
Support Eco-Friendly Livelihoods: Promote sustainable harvesting of mangrove products like honey and fish, and support local businesses that use mangrove-friendly practices.
Be Climate Conscious: Reduce your own carbon footprint by walking, cycling, or reducing plastic usage to help protect the broader marine environment.

Fascinating Facts About Mangroves

Ancient Origins: Fossils indicate mangroves existed 75 million years ago.
Sundarbans – The World’s Largest Mangrove: Located in West Bengal, India, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Salt Filtering Mechanism: Mangroves excrete excess salt through leaves or bark, allowing them to survive saline environments.
Oxygen Producers: Despite harsh conditions, they release oxygen and improve local air quality.
Coral Allies: Mangroves help prevent coral bleaching by filtering sediment and providing shelter for juvenile corals.

India’s First Gold at FISU World University Games 2025 in Archery

India marked a proud moment at the FISU World University Games 2025 in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, as archers Parneet Kaur and Kushal Dalal clinched the country’s first gold medal in the compound mixed team archery event. This victory not only adds to India’s sporting achievements but also highlights the rising standards of Indian university-level athletes on the global stage, particularly in non-mainstream Olympic sports like compound archery.

Background

The FISU World University Games, often called the Universiade, is a prestigious international sporting event organized every two years by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The 2025 edition is being held from July 16 to 27 across six cities in Germany. Nearly 300 Indian athletes are participating across multiple disciplines.

Archery, especially the compound format, is gaining momentum globally. Notably, compound archery will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, raising the stakes for athletes participating in this category.

India’s Medal Performance in Archery at Rhine-Ruhr 2025

Gold Medal

Event: Compound Mixed Team
Winners: Parneet Kaur & Kushal Dalal
Final Score: India (157) defeated Republic of Korea (154)

Silver Medal

Event: Compound Men’s Team
Team: Kushal Dalal, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, Hritik Sharma
Result: Lost narrowly to Türkiye (232-231)

Bronze Medal

Event: Compound Women’s Team
Team: Parneet Kaur, Avneet Kaur, Madhura Dhamangaonkar
Result: Beat Great Britain (232-224)

These three medals on a single day took India’s tally to five medals in the 2025 Games so far.

Significance of the Achievement

Boost for Non-Olympic Sports: Compound archery, not yet widely recognized, is gaining visibility due to such achievements.
Pathway to LA 2028: With compound archery now added to the Olympics, Indian archers are in a strong position to compete at the highest level.
Women in Sports: Parneet Kaur’s dual success (team and individual) highlights increasing female representation and excellence in archery.
University-Level Talent: Reflects the depth of talent in Indian universities, crucial for long-term sports development.

Tanvi & Vennala Smash Records – India’s Golden Badminton Moment!

Indian badminton continues its upward trajectory with a historic breakthrough at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2025, as Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla became the first-ever Indian duo to secure two medals in women’s singles in a single edition of the tournament. This remarkable feat has etched their names into the annals of Indian badminton history and showcases the emerging strength of India’s junior women shuttlers on the Asian stage.

Background

The Badminton Asia Junior Championships is an annual tournament that attracts the best U-19 talent from across the continent. Historically, India has had success in individual and team events but has never won two women’s singles medals in the same edition. Prominent past medalists include PV Sindhu, Sameer Verma, and Lakshya Sen, but a double podium in women’s singles had remained elusive—until now.

Tanvi Sharma’s Road to Glory

Tanvi Sharma, seeded second in the tournament and junior World No. 1, dominated her quarterfinal clash against Indonesia’s Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, winning 21-19, 21-14.
She had earlier defeated top players including Shi Si Chen (China) and Phannachet Passa-Orn (Thailand) in straight games.
Tanvi has been in sensational form, also making headlines last month by becoming the youngest Indian finalist in a BWF World Tour event (US Open 2025).

Vennala Kalagotla’s Breakthrough

Vennala Kalagotla, currently ranked World No. 103, battled past Thailand’s Janyaporn Meepanthong in a thrilling 3-game quarterfinal: 21-18, 17-21, 21-17.
Prior to that, she overcame Ler Qi Eng (Malaysia) and Wen Shu-yu (Chinese Taipei) in close contests.
Her grit and composure in long rallies demonstrated her rising potential on the international stage.

Significance of the Achievement

This is India’s first instance of winning two women’s singles medals at the same edition of the prestigious Asia Junior Championships.
The achievement signals the depth and diversity of India’s emerging badminton talent, particularly in women’s singles.
It also sets the stage for these junior stars to transition into senior international competitions, boosting India’s medal prospects in future world-level events.

India’s Past Success at the Championships

In 2011, India returned with three medals including PV Sindhu’s bronze and Sameer Verma’s silver.
In 2012, Sindhu clinched India’s first gold in the event.
Lakshya Sen added a second gold in 2018.
Despite past individual successes, 2025 marks a unique milestone with dual women’s singles representation on the podium.

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

Did you know there are 195 countries in the world? Each one is unique in its culture, geography and people. Some countries begin with the letter ‘P’, and they are located in different parts of the world. In this article, we will explore these 9 amazing countries starting with ‘P’ – learning about where they are, what they are known for and what makes them special.

Countries Starting with the Letter ‘P’

There are many countries in the world, and each one has a name that begins with a different letter. Some countries start with the letter ‘P’, and they are found in different parts of the world like Asia, Europe and South America. These countries have their own languages, traditions and famous places.

Here are the names of countries starting with the letter ‘P’:

Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal

Pakistan

Continent: Asia
Capital: Islamabad

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is an South Asian Country and the world’ fifth most populous, with over 241 million people. Islamabad is the capital; Karachi is the largest city and financial hub. It borders with India, Afghanistan, Iran and China, has coasts on the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Ocean and a maritime border with Oman.

Palau

Continent: Oceania
Capital: Ngerulmud

Palau, officially the Republic of Palau, is an island country in the western Pacific Ocean, part of the Micronesia region in Oceania. It includes around 340 islands and forms the western part of the Caroline Islands. The eastern and central Caroline Islands belong to the Federated States of Micronesia.

Panama

Continent: North America
Capital: Panama City

Panama, officially the Republic of Panama, is a country in Central America at the border with South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica, Colombia, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The capital and largest city is Panama City, where nearly half of the country’s population of over 4 million people lives.

Papua New Guinea

Continent: Oceania
Capital: Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is an island nation in Oceania. It occupies the eastern half of New Guinea and many nearby islands. It borders Indonesia by land and Australia and the Solomon Islands by Sea. Its capital is Port Moresby and the country includes both a large mainland and many islands.

Paraguay

Continent: South America
Capital: Asunción

Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country in central South America. Its capital and largest city is Asunción. The country is made up of a capital district and seventeen provinces. Paraguay is a presidential republic and one of the founding member of Mercosur, alongside Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Peru

Continent: South America
Capital: Lima

Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It borders Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its rich biodiversity, Peru has coastal plains, Andes mountains and Amazon rainforests. Its capital is Lima and with over 32 million people, it is the third-largest country in South America.

Philippines

Continent: Asia
Capital: Manila

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an island nation in Southeast Asia, located in the western Pacific Ocean. It has 7,641 islands grouped into Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Covering around 300,000 square kilometers, it has a population of over 110 million, making it the 12th most populous country in the world.

Poland

Continent: Europe
Capital: Warsaw

Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe, stretching from the Baltic Sea in the north to mountain ranges in the south. It borders Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Russia. With over 38 million people, Poland is the fifth most populous EU country. Its capital and largest city is Warsaw.

Portugal

Continent: Europe
Capital: Lisbon

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It shares a long border with Spain and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. Portugal also includes the Azores and Madeira islands. Its capital is Lisbon, and Porto is its second major metropolitan area.