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.

Top-10 Oldest Airports in the World, Check the List

Airports help people travel across the world by plane. Some airports have been working for more than 100 years and are still in use today. These old airports have seen many changes over time,but they still play an important role in air travel. In this article, we will look at the top-10 oldest airports in the world that are still active in the year 2025.

World’s Oldest Airport

College Park Airport is the oldest in the world that has been working continuously since it opened. It is in the city of College Park, Maryland, USA. The airport is near Paint Branch, Lake Artemesia and close to main roads and train stations. Built in 1909, it was used by the Wright brothers and is still active today for small flights and history lovers.

Top-10 Oldest Airports in the World

College Park Airport, located in United States, opened in 1909, stands as the oldest airport in the world, followed by Hamburg Airport, Bucharest Baneasa Aurel Vlaicu Airport and Bremen Airport.

Here is the list of top-10 oldest airport in the world:

Rank	Airport Name	Country	Name
1.	College Park Airport	USA	1909
2.	Hamburg Airport	Germany	1911
3.	Bucharest Baneasa Aurel Vlaicu Airport	Romania	1912
4.	Bremen Airport	Germany	1913
5.	Rome Ciampino Airport	Italy	1916
6.	Amsterdam Schiphol Airport	Netherlands	1916
7.	Paris-Le Bourget Airport	France	1919
8.	Sydney Airport	Australia	1920
9.	Minneapolis/ Saint Paul International Airport	USA	1920
10.	Albany International Airport	USA	1928

Second Oldest Airport in the World – Hamburg Airport

Hamburg Airport is the second oldest airport in the world and is located in Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city. Opened in 1911, it was later named after former German Helmut Schmidt. The airport is just 8.5 km from the city center and serves as a hub for Eurowings and a focus city for Condor airlines. It remains busy and modern today.

World’s Third Oldest Airport – Aurel Vlaicu International Airport

Aurel Vlaicu International Airport, also known as Baneasa Airport, is the third oldest airport in the world. It is located 8.5 km north of central Bucharest, Romania. Named after Romanian pilot and inventor Aurel Vlaicu, it was the city’s only commercial airport until 1969. Today, it mainly serves VIP and business flights, keeping its place in aviation history.

Flipkart Secures NBFC Licence from RBI, Enters Direct Lending Space

In a groundbreaking development for India’s digital economy, Walmart-owned Flipkart has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). With this licence, Flipkart can now offer loans directly to its customers and sellers, moving beyond partnerships with traditional lenders. This move marks the first time an Indian e-commerce giant has been granted such a licence, paving the way for deeper fintech integration in online retail.

Why in News?

On March 13, 2025, the RBI granted Flipkart Finance Private Limited a certificate of registration to operate as an NBFC. This approval is significant as it allows Flipkart to Lend directly, unlike its previous tie-ups with banks.Operate independently in the credit space. Expand its fintech ecosystem through its app, super.money.

What Is an NBFC?

NBFCs are financial institutions that offer loans and credit, but cannot accept traditional bank deposits.
NBFCs are regulated by the RBI under the RBI Act, 1934.

What Flipkart’s NBFC Licence Enables

Direct lending to customers and sellers on Flipkart’s platform.
Offer personal loans and business credit through Flipkart’s fintech arm super.money.
Operate without intermediaries like banks or third-party NBFCs.

Background

Flipkart applied for the NBFC licence in 2022.
Previously, Flipkart offered credit in partnerships with Axis Bank, IDFC Bank, and Credit Saison.
Flipkart was valued at $37 billion in 2024 during its last funding round.

Next Steps Before Launch

Appointment of key executives and board members.
Finalisation of the lending business model.
Expected to begin operations in the next few months.

Industry Context

Amazon recently acquired Bengaluru-based NBFC Axio, pending RBI clearance.
Flipkart becomes the first major Indian e-commerce platform to gain NBFC approval.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Flipkart Secures NBFC Licence from RBI, Enters Direct Lending Space
Entity	Flipkart Finance Pvt Ltd (subsidiary of Flipkart)
Licence Type	NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company)
Issuing Authority	Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Purpose	Direct lending to customers and sellers
Parent Company	Walmart (owns 80%+ of Flipkart)
Industry Impact	First e-commerce player in India to get NBFC licence

G7 Headquarters, Origin, and Founding Members

The Group of Seven, or G7, is a group of seven rich and powerful countries that meet every year to talk about important world problems. These countries work together to find solutions for issues like the economy, security and climate change. Although India is not a member, it has been invited to some meetings because it is becoming an important country in global affairs.

An Overview of the G7

The G7 is a group of seven important rich countries that come together to talk and work on big world problems. These countries are France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. They meet every year to share ideas and plan actions on issues like the economy, security and the environment. The European Union also joins the meetings but is not a full member.

What does the G7 Do?

The G7 helps lead global discussions and pushes important topics like climate change, gender equality and peace efforts. It supports projects to reduce weapons and strengthen international economic rules. The group’s countries are some of the biggest economies and traders in the world.

Every year, one G7 hosts the meeting and the presidency rotates among them in this order: France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.

History and Origin of the G7

The G7 started in 1975 as a small meeting called the ”Group of Six” by France, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and West Germany. It was created to talk about economic problems like inflation and the oil crisis.

Canada joined in 1976, making it the Group of Seven. The European Union began taking part in 1977. Russia joined in 1998, turning the group into the G8, but was removed in 2014 because of conflicts with Ukraine.

The G7 is not a formal organization like the UN. It is an informal group where leaders talk but don’t make official laws.

How the G7 Works?

The G7 does not have a fixed office or staff like other big organizations. Each year, the member country that hosts the summit organizes it and sets the main topics.

Before the leaders meet, ministers and special representatives called ”sherpas” discuss and plan the agenda. Sometimes, other countries are invited to join discussions.

There are also smaller groups focusing on different issues like finance, agriculture and health.

Who are the Members of the G7?

The G7 includes these seven countries:

Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
United Kingdom
United States

The European Union also attends the meetings but does not have voting rights or presidency.

Is India a Part of the G7?

No, India is not a member of the G7. But India has been invited as a special guest to some G7 meetings, like in 2019, 2021, 2022 and also in 2024. This shows that India is becoming more important in global affairs.

What are the Focus Areas of G7?

Recently, the G7 has been focusing on:

Economic security and supply chains
Climate change and sustainable energy
Health emergencies like COVID-19
Political and military tensions with countries like China and Russia
Technology and digital safety

Challenges Faced by G7 Countries

The G7 faces many problems today, including:

Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Russia’s war in Ukraine is a big concern. The G7 works to support Ukraine and prevent the conflict from growing.
China’s Rise: China is growing fast as an economic and military power. The G7 worries about China’s trade practices, human rights issues and its big projects like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Fair Partnerships: The G7 wants to built honest and fair relationships with developing countries to help them grow and succeed.
COVID-19 Effects: The pandemic hurt the world economy badly. G7 countries had to spend a lot to help their economies and are now dealing with rising prices (inflation).

Ashwani Lohani Appointed Director of Prime Ministers Museum and Library

Ashwani Lohani, former Chairman and Managing Director of Air India and ex-Chairman of the Railway Board, has been appointed as the Director of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) in New Delhi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment on June 4, 2025, for a tenure of three years, filling the vacancy left after the exit of former power secretary Sanjiv Nandan Sahai.

Why in News?

Ashwani Lohani’s appointment marks a significant administrative development at PMML, which has recently undergone a restructuring of its society and executive council. With his rich experience in leadership roles across the tourism, aviation, and railway sectors, Lohani is expected to bring transformative direction to the institution.

About Ashwani Lohani

A 1980 batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME).

Former,

Chairman of the Railway Board (2017)
CMD of Air India (served two terms)
CMD of ITDC (2001)
CMD of MPTDC (2004–2010, across three terms)
CEO at GMR Group post-retirement.
Known for turning around struggling public sector undertakings like ITDC and MPSTDC.

Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML)

An institution under the Ministry of Culture, it preserves the legacy of India’s Prime Ministers and hosts exhibitions, documents, and digital archives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the President of the PMML Society.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh serves as the Vice President.
The Executive Council is chaired by Nripendra Misra, former Principal Secretary to PM Modi.

Key Changes in PMML Governance

The executive council expanded from 29 to 34 members.

Prominent new members,

Smriti Irani (former Union Minister)
Rajiv Kumar (former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman)
General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd.)
Shekhar Kapur (Filmmaker)
Vasudev Kamath (Sanskar Bharati)
Sanjeev Sanyal, Chamu Krishna Shastry, K K Mohammad, B R Mani

Significance of the Appointment

Ashwani Lohani’s multi-sectoral leadership background aligns with PMML’s need for institutional modernization and visitor engagement.
His inclusion in the seven-member executive council signals strategic emphasis on heritage management, public outreach, and institutional credibility.

International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

June 5 marks the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, a global initiative spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The observance highlights the urgent need to protect the world’s fisheries, marine biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions dependent on ocean resources by eliminating illegal and unsustainable fishing practices.

Why in News?

This year, the observance coincides with the ninth anniversary of the legally binding Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) that came into force on 5 June 2016. The agreement now includes two-thirds of the world’s coastal states, including recent signatories like the Marshall Islands, reaffirming global commitment to combat IUU fishing and promote sustainable fisheries under SDG 14.

What is IUU Fishing?

Illegal fishing: Conducted without permission or in violation of laws.
Unreported fishing: Not declared or recorded properly.
Unregulated fishing: Conducted by vessels with no nationality or in a manner not governed by applicable rules.
IUU fishing occurs in both international waters and national jurisdictions.

Key Facts

Estimated 11–26 million tonnes of fish lost annually due to IUU.
Economic losses are valued between USD 10–23 billion each year.
1 in every 5 fish caught globally is from IUU sources.

Key Instruments & Agreements

1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries: A voluntary guideline for sustainable fishing.
2009 Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA): First legally binding international treaty against IUU fishing.
Entered into force on 5 June 2016.
Enforces minimum port controls to block IUU-caught fish from entering global markets.

Aims and Objectives

Eliminate illegal fishing activities and ensure food security.
Promote long-term conservation of fish stocks.
Enforce international cooperation for monitoring and data sharing.
Safeguard livelihoods of artisanal and small-scale fishers, who form 90% of the fisheries workforce.

Background

Proposed in 2015 by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).
Endorsed by FAO’s Committee on Fisheries.
Officially recognized by UN General Assembly in December 2017.
Aligned with SDG 14.4, which aims to regulate and end IUU fishing by 2020.

Significance

IUU fishing undermines marine conservation, causes biodiversity loss, and threatens coastal economies.
Undermines lawful fisheries, impacts fish stock sustainability, and feeds black markets.
Greater awareness can influence consumer behavior and promote responsible seafood choices.

Why is the RBI changing gold loan rules?

On April 9, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines on loans against gold collateral, seeking to harmonise lending practices across banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). The move comes in response to inconsistencies in lending norms and a sharp spike in gold loan portfolios, especially among banks. While the proposed rules aim to enhance transparency, borrower protection, and regulatory uniformity, concerns have been raised about their impact on rural borrowers who heavily rely on gold loans for agricultural and personal needs.

Why in News?

The draft directions issued by the RBI have sparked significant debate, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urging the Finance Ministry to reconsider the norms, citing disruption to rural credit flows. The Finance Ministry clarified that implementation will begin only from January 1, 2026, and emphasized the need to protect small gold loan borrowers. The rules were drafted in the backdrop of alarming growth in gold loan portfolios, with banks witnessing a 104% year-on-year rise in FY24, raising concerns of regulatory gaps and over-leverage.

Why is RBI Proposing New Rules?

Rapid growth in gold loans: Over 50% growth in combined bank and NBFC portfolios in FY24.
Concerns over irregular lending practices, over-leveraging, and non-uniform valuation.
Rising gold prices and widening credit gaps pushed more individuals to use gold as collateral.
The goal is to standardise procedures, ensure borrower safety, and create a level playing field.

Key Proposals in the Draft Guidelines

LTV (Loan-to-Value) Cap: Remains at 75%, but accrued interest included in LTV for bullet loans.
Ownership Proof: Borrowers must provide proof of ownership of pledged gold.
Gold Valuation: Standardised method based on 22-carat gold rates.
Purity & Weight Checks: Mandatory uniform assessment across all lenders.
No Dual-Purpose Loans: Loans for consumption and income generation can’t be combined.

Top-Up/Renewal Restrictions

Only allowed if existing loan is standard and within LTV norms.
Borrowers must repay entire due amount before fresh disbursal.
Compensation for Delay: ₹5,000 per day if lenders delay returning gold beyond 7 days post-repayment.
Ban on Re-Pledging: NBFCs can’t re-pledge gold to raise funds.

Concerns and Responses

Impact on Rural Borrowers

Gold loans are a lifeline for small farmers and informal sector workers.
Changes could restrict access, especially due to stricter LTV computation.

Higher Compliance Burden

Smaller NBFCs may struggle due to documentation, DSCR norms, and cost escalation.
May lead to consolidation in the NBFC sector.

Potential Rise in Interest Rates

Operational costs likely to be passed on to borrowers.

Expected Impact on Borrowers

Reduced Loan Amounts.
Liquidity Constraints
Limited Collateral Choices
Increased Transparency

Balancing Growth and Regulation

Rising gold prices suggest continued demand for gold loans.
But the new norms may slow loan growth, especially for NBFCs.
RBI is expected to consider differentiated norms for small-ticket vs. high-value loans.
Aim is to build long-term resilience, reduce risk, and protect borrowers.

DBT Observes Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 with 188 Cleanliness Activities Across India

As part of the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science & Technology actively observed Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from May 1 to May 15, organizing 188 activities across its headquarters in New Delhi, autonomous institutions (AIs), and public sector undertakings (PSUs). The initiative was aimed at promoting cleanliness, public health, environmental sustainability, and civic participation through various outreach and awareness programs.

Why in News?

The DBT’s observation of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from May 1–15, 2025, received attention for its scale, innovation, and integration of science-driven cleanliness practices. Activities were launched with a pledge-taking ceremony led by the DBT Secretary and included a wide range of campaigns—from installing e-waste and sanitary disposal systems to health drives, community outreach, and environmental education, reinforcing DBT’s alignment with the national goal of a cleaner, healthier India.

Key Activities and Participation

Pledge Ceremony: Inaugurated on May 1, 2025, at the CGO Complex, New Delhi, with participation from DBT officials.

Scale of Participation,

188 total activities conducted
Involvement of DBT headquarters, AIs, and PSUs
Enthusiastic participation from staff and students

Major Initiatives Undertaken

Infrastructure Enhancements

Installation of e-waste bins
Sanitary napkin disposal machines
High-capacity waste shredder machines

Health & Hygiene Activities

Health check-ups
Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR training
Awareness talks on single-use plastic, stress management

Community Engagement

Cleanliness drives at old age homes and the National Association for the Blind, Delhi

Tree plantation

Community run and nature walks
Inauguration of ladies’ room in office
Environmental & Cultural Outreach:

Drives in slum areas

Nukkad Nataks by students to spread cleanliness awareness
Painting and poster-making competitions

Monitoring & Recognition

A review committee was constituted to oversee Pakhwada activities.
Review meetings were held regularly to encourage participants.
Awards were presented to three best-performing offices, recognizing their exceptional contributions.
The Joint Secretary (Admin), DBT distributed the awards.

Objective and Significance

Promote cleanliness and civic sense
Inculcate sustainable waste management practices in science institutions
Encourage health awareness and environmental responsibility
Highlight DBT’s role in leading science-integrated social missions
Foster participation among women, students, and marginalized communities

India Secures Presidency of IIAS for 2025–2028 Term

In a significant development for India’s global administrative leadership, India has been elected to the Presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the 2025–2028 term. V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), will lead the international body headquartered in Brussels. This marks a key recognition of India’s commitment to reforming and modernizing public administration.

Why in News?

On June 3, 2025, India won the presidency of IIAS after defeating Austria in the final round of voting, garnering 87 out of 141 votes (61.7%). The win comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi nominated V. Srinivas for the post in November 2024. The elections were held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with India competing against three other nations: South Africa, Austria, and Bahrain.

About IIAS (International Institute of Administrative Sciences)

Established: 1930
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Nature: Independent international association focused on the scientific study of public administration.
UN Collaboration: Not officially a UN body but actively collaborates on global public administration reforms.

Membership

31 Member States
20 National Sections
15 Academic Research Centres
Key Members: India, Japan, China, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Spain, Qatar, etc.

India’s Journey and Victory

Member Since: 1998 (represented by DARPG)
Nomination: V. Srinivas nominated by PM Narendra Modi in Nov 2024
Candidature Support: Strong global backing across continents
Election Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Final Contenders: India vs Austria

Voting Outcome

India: 87 votes (61.7%)
Austria: 54 votes (38.3%)
Significance: Reinforces India’s growing soft power and thought leadership in governance and reform.

About V. Srinivas

Position: Secretary, DARPG
Expertise: Public administration, grievance redressal, digital governance
Reputation: Known for administrative reforms and digital transformation initiatives
Role Ahead: Will guide the global agenda on administrative sciences, capacity building, and good governance.

Importance of the Presidency

Strengthens India’s voice in global governance forums
Platform to showcase India’s reform model in administrative sciences
Facilitates international cooperation in e-governance, transparency, and citizen-centric governance
Enhances India’s collaboration with academic institutions and think tanks

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	India Secures Presidency of IIAS for 2025–2028 Term
Elected Leader	V. Srinivas (Secretary, DARPG)
Vote Share	India: 87 votes (61.7%), Austria: 54 votes (38.3%)
Nomination By	Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Nov 2024)
Key Competitors	South Africa, Austria, Bahrain
IIAS HQ	Brussels, Belgium
Significance	Strengthens India’s global leadership in public administration

Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana Launched to Boost Green Cover in Himachal

In a major push for environmental conservation and community empowerment, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana from Hamirpur on June 2, 2025. The scheme aims to increase the state’s green cover by planting fruit-bearing trees on degraded forest lands while promoting employment generation and community involvement through Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, and self-help groups (SHGs).

Why in News?

The launch of the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana and the Green Adoption Scheme marks a strategic move by the Himachal Pradesh government to combine climate action with grassroots participation. With Himachal facing a shortage of field forest staff and growing ecological challenges, these initiatives aim to restore forest health, involve citizens, and generate local employment, especially for women and youth.

Key Features of Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana

Launch Date: June 2, 2025
Location: Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
Main Objective: Increase forest green cover using fruit-bearing plantations on barren or degraded forest land.

Targeted Stakeholders

Mahila Mandals
Yuvak Mandals
Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Employment Generation: Local communities will be paid for plantation and maintenance for five years.
Certificates Issued: To Amlehad and Bhawdan Mahila Mandals of Nadaun for plantation on 2 hectares each.

Green Adoption Scheme Highlights

Encourages corporate participation in afforestation.

Initial Phase,

Ambuja Company: 25 hectares
Adani Foundation: 10 hectares
UltraTech: 10 hectares
Recognition: Certificates handed to these firms for their participation.

Van Mitra Appointments and Women’s Role

Passing-Out Parade: Held for newly appointed Van Mitras.
Purpose: Address the shortage of forest field staff.
Merit-Based Recruitment: Many young women were among the selected.
Government Assurance: CM Sukhu assured future policy support for career growth of Van Mitras.

Broader Women Empowerment Focus

Reservation in Police: Increased to 30% for women.
Lahaul-Spiti Administration: All key officers, including Deputy Commissioner, are women.
Reflects a policy shift toward gender-inclusive governance.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana Launched to Boost Green Cover in Himachal
Launched By	CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Scheme Name	Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana
Objective	Increase green cover, empower communities, and generate rural employment
Green Adoption Partners	Ambuja (25 ha), Adani (10 ha), UltraTech (10 ha)
Support Staff Recruitment	Van Mitras selected based on merit

G7 vs G20: Key Differences Explained

The G7 and G20 are two of the most influential international groupings shaping global economic and political governance. While both aim to address global issues, their composition, objectives, and scope differ significantly. This article provides a clear, comparative understanding of G7 vs G20—an important topic for static GK and government exams.

What is G7?

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal bloc of advanced economies founded in 1975 to discuss and coordinate economic policies. The group focuses on global economic stability, international security, climate change, and development.

G7 Members (as of 2025):

United States
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Canada
Japan

European Union (as an invitee/observer)

What is G20?

The Group of Twenty (G20) was formed in 1999 in response to the Asian Financial Crisis. It is a broader platform representing both developed and developing economies, working to foster international financial stability and sustainable development.

G20 Members (as of 2025):

Includes all G7 countries plus:
8. Argentina
9. Australia
10. Brazil
11. China
12. India
13. Indonesia
14. Mexico
15. Russia
16. Saudi Arabia
17. South Africa
18. South Korea
19. Turkey

European Union

Key Differences Between G7 and G20

Feature	G7	G20
Established	1975	1999
Members	7 countries + EU (observer)	19 countries + EU (member)
Nature	Informal forum of advanced economies	Broader forum of developed & developing economies
Key Focus Areas	Global security, economic policy, climate change	Global economy, financial stability, sustainable development
Representation	~10% of world population, ~45% of global GDP	~80% of world GDP, ~60% of global population
Meetings	Annual Summit of heads of states	Annual Leaders’ Summit, finance ministers’ meetings
India’s Membership	Not a member (only invited occasionally)	Full member since inception
Headquarters	No permanent HQ	No permanent HQ

India’s Role in G7 and G20

G7: India is not a permanent member but has been regularly invited as a guest nation (e.g., in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024).
G20: India is a founding member and hosted the G20 Presidency in 2023, with the summit held in New Delhi.

Importance in Global Governance

G7 is influential in setting the political tone of the West and making decisions on global crises (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war, climate change).
G20 plays a broader role in setting economic agendas, dealing with financial crises, debt restructuring, and inclusive growth.

Criticism

G7: Seen as elitist, often criticized for being exclusive and unrepresentative of the global south.
G20: Praised for inclusivity but criticized for lack of enforcement and actionable outcomes due to consensus-based decision-making.