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.

Which District of Uttar Pradesh is Known as the City of Rose Water?

There are many cities in India that are known for something special, like species, textiles or flowers. One such city in Uttar Pradesh is famous for its sweet-smelling rose water. This place has a long history of making natural perfumes using traditional methods. The rose water made here is pure, fragrant and loved by people across India and in many other countries.

An Overview of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India and is the most populated state in the country, with over 241 million people. It is also one of the largest states by area. UP shares its borders with several Indian states and even Nepal. Lucknow is its capital, and Prayagraj is the judicial capital. The state has 75 districts and is divided into 18 divisions.

Number of Districts of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has a total of 75 districts. These districts are grouped into 18 administrative divisions for better governance. Each division includes a few nearby districts and helps in managing government work more easily and efficiently across the state.

City of Rose Water in Uttar Pradesh

Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh is called the City of Rose Water. This is because the district produces a large number of roses. These roses are used to make rose water and rose perfume. Due to its famous rose production, Ghazipur is known by this sweet and fragrant title.

Why is Ghazipur Called the City of Rose Water?

Ghazipur grows a lot of roses. These roses are not only beautiful but are also used to make rose water and rose perfume (attar). Because of its rose farming and production, Ghazipur earned this sweet nickname.

Another Name of Ghazipur

Ghazipur is also known as Shiraz-e-Hind. This name comes from history when it was an important learning center during the time of Muslim rulers. It was considered similar to Shiraz, a famous city in Iran known for knowledge and culture.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 Begins with Snana Purnima Today; Check Full Schedule, Start and End Dates

Every year in Puri, Odisha, a very special festival takes place to honor Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. In 2025, this event started on June 11 with the Snana Purnima ritual and will continue until July 5 with the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra. This celebration attracts lakhs of people from India and around the world.

What is Snana Purnima?

Snana Purnima is the day when the three deities are brought out for a public bath. This happens once a year at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. They are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water from a golden well inside the temple. This special event is held on a large platform called the Snana Mandap, and it marks the beginning of the Rath Yatra celebrations.

Anavasara

After the Snana Yatra, the deities are believed to fall sick due to the cold water. They are taken inside the temple and kept away from public view for about 15 days. This rest period is called Anavasara. Devotees believe the gods are healing during this time and getting for the Rath Yatra.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 – Dates and Events

The Rath Yatra is a nine-day long festival full of beautiful rituals. Here is the full calendar of events:

Snana Purnima: June 12, 2025
Anavasara (Rest Period): June 13-16, 2025
Gundicha Marjana (Cleaning of Gundicha Temple): June 26, 2025
Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession): June 27, 2025
Hera Panchami: July 1, 2025
Bahuda Yatra (Return Journey): July 4, 2025
Suna Besha (Deities in Golden Dress): July 5, 2025
Niladri Bijay (Return to Main Temple): July 5, 2025

About the Chariots

During the Rath Yatra, the three deities travel in huge wooden chariots on the roads of Puri. Each deity has a different chariot:

Lord Jagannath rides on a chariot with 18 wheels
Lord Balabhadra has a chariot with 16 wheels
Goddess Subhadra rides a chariot with 14 wheels

These chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees, which is considered a great blessing.

Jagannath Yatra, A Festival for Everyone

One of the most special things about this festival is that everyone is allowed to take part. People of all religious, castes and countries come together to pull the chariots and celebrate. It is seen as a time for unity, devotion and joy.

Lakhs of Devotees Join the Celebration

The Rath Yatra is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Lakhs of people come to Puri to watch the beautiful procession. The chariots move along the Grand Road to the Gundicha Temple, which is said to be the house of the deities’ maternal aunt.

Katrina Kaif Appointed Global Tourism Ambassador for the Maldives

In a strategic tourism and diplomatic move, Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif has been named the Global Tourism Ambassador for the Maldives. The announcement was made by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) just weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the island nation. The initiative aims to enhance the Maldives’ visibility as a luxury travel destination, especially among Indian and global audiences, at a time when bilateral ties are witnessing renewed momentum.

Why in News?

On June 10, 2025, Katrina Kaif was officially named the Global Brand Ambassador for the Maldives. The appointment was announced by MMPRC (Visit Maldives) on social media platforms. It coincides with PM Modi’s upcoming visit to the Maldives and follows strained India-Maldives relations that began in early 2024. Kaif’s association is intended to revitalize tourism campaigns, including the newly launched Summer Sale Campaign.

Aim and Objectives

Promote the Maldives as a luxury, high-end travel destination.
Use Katrina Kaif’s global appeal to reach South Asian and international tourists.
Strengthen public diplomacy and bilateral soft power through celebrity branding.
Boost the Visit Maldives Summer Sale Campaign by attracting wider attention.

Background

India and Maldives experienced diplomatic friction in January 2024, impacting people-to-people and tourism ties.
The Maldives relies heavily on tourism for its economy, with India being one of the top tourist source countries.
Katrina Kaif, one of India’s leading celebrities and entrepreneur (founder of Kay Beauty), is known for her global brand recognition and clean image.

Key Highlights

Kaif’s Official Statement: She described the Maldives as “the pinnacle of luxury and natural beauty” and expressed excitement to represent its global image.
MMPRC’s View: The corporation sees her as the ideal choice to connect with travelers globally, especially from the Indian subcontinent.
The partnership is designed to promote the “Sunny Side of Life” tourism brand.
Special rail/air offers and resort discounts are being rolled out as part of the Summer Sale campaign to capitalize on her global reach.

GK Quiz on Kabir Das Jayanti 2025, Questions and Answers

Kabir Das Jayanti is celebrated every year to remember the birth of Sant Kabir Das, a great poet and saint of India. He taught people to live with love, peace and truth. His simple poems, called dohas, are full of deep meaning. In 2025, Kabir Jayanti will be observed on June 11. People honor his teachings through prayers, songs and social gatherings across India.

GK Quiz on Kabir Das Jayanti 2025

Kabir Das Jayanti 2025, celebrated on June 11, is a special day to remember the great poet and saint, Kabir Das. This GK quiz will help you learn about his life, teachings and famous dohas in a fun way. Test your knowledge and discover interesting facts about him!

Q1. In which year was Sant Kabir was born?

(a) 1398

(b) 1440

(d) 1430

S1. Ans. (a)

Q2. When is Kabir Jayanti usually celebrated?

(a) July or August

(b) December or January

(d) May or June

S2. Ans. (d)

Q3. Who was the Guru of Kabir Das?

(a) Swami Vivekananda

(b) Guru Nanak

(d) Sant Ravidas

S3. Ans. (c)

Q4. Which religious sect is associated with Kabir’s teachings?

(a) Arya Samaj

(b) Kabir Panth

(d) Nirankari

S4. Ans. (b)

Q5. Where is Kabir Math located?

(a) Haridwar

(b) Ayodhya

(d) Mathura

S5. Ans. (c)

Q6. How many books did Kabir write?

(a) 40

(b) 55

(d) 72

S6. Ans. (d)

Q7. What is the central message in Kabir’s poetry?

(a) War and victory

(b) Bhakti and Sufi unity

(d) Magic and fantasy

S7. Ans. (b)

Q8. What message did Kabir’s teachings spread?

(a) War and separation

(b) Superiority of one religion

(d) Isolation and penance

S8. Ans. (c)

Q9. Which social class did Kabir belong to by upbringing?

(a) Kshatriya

(b) Brahmin

(d) Vaishya

S9. Ans. (c)

Q10. When is Kabir Das Jayanti celebrated in 2025?

(a) June 09

(b) June 10

(d) June 12

S10. Ans. (c)

Calcutta High Court Allows 15-Year-Old to Adopt Stepfather’s Surname

In a significant judgment, the Calcutta High Court has permitted a 15-year-old boy to adopt his stepfather’s surname, acknowledging the evolving structure of modern families. The court allowed the name change despite the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) objections, although it declined to permit altering the biological father’s name on the birth certificate without a formal adoption order. The decision upholds the rights of custodial parents and reflects judicial flexibility in the face of procedural timelines.

Why in News?

A Calcutta High Court ruling on May 16, 2025, allowed a child to adopt the surname of his stepfather. The child’s biological parents separated in 2010, and the mother remarried in 2020. Despite no objection from the biological father, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation opposed the name change. The court provided legal interpretation of Section 454 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980, and emphasized judicial discretion on time limits.

Background of the Case

The child’s parents separated shortly after his birth in 2010.
The mother remarried in March 2020, and the child has since been raised by the mother and stepfather.

The mother and stepfather filed a writ petition seeking changes to,

The child’s surname,
The father’s name on the birth certificate,
And the mother’s surname in official records.

Court’s Decision

Allowed

The change of the child’s surname to match the stepfather’s.
Updating the mother’s surname in official records.

Denied

Changing the father’s name on the birth certificate due to the absence of legal adoption.
“Such a change can only be considered upon the legal adoption of the minor by the stepfather,” observed Justice Kaushik Chanda.

Legal Interpretation

Section 454 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act allows changes to a child’s name.
Justice Chanda ruled that “name includes both given name and surname.”
While the Act specifies a 60-month time limit, the court said it may be interpreted flexibly in appropriate circumstances.
“If a valid explanation is given for delay, courts may permit changes even after 60 months,” the judgment clarified.

KMC’s Objection

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation cited,

Section 15 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
Sections 454 and 455 of the KMC Act, 1980.
It claimed it had no authority to change a birth certificate beyond clerical or factual corrections.
KMC argued that changes of parental names require a court-certified adoption order.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Calcutta High Court Allows 15-Year-Old to Adopt Stepfather’s Surname
Court	Calcutta High Court
Judge	Justice Kaushik Chanda
Petitioners	Child’s mother and stepfather
Respondent	Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Allowed	Surname change of child and mother
Denied	Change of father’s name (no adoption order)
Legal Basis	Section 454 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980

Sri Lanka Celebrates Poson Poya: Honoring 2000 Years of Buddhism

Sri Lanka is observing the sacred Poson Poya festival today, which commemorates the arrival of Buddhism on the island nation over 2,000 years ago. Celebrated on the full moon day in June, this festival marks the momentous occasion when Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka of India, preached the first sermon to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale. Devotees have gathered at sacred sites including Mihintale and Anuradhapura, with streets and temples adorned in vibrant lanterns and decorations. The festival is being celebrated with devotion, cultural exhibitions, and special transport arrangements.

Why in News?

Poson Poya 2025 is being observed today across Sri Lanka. It marks the arrival of Buddhism with the first sermon by Arahat Mahinda. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his greetings, emphasizing unity and spiritual revival. India’s High Commission is participating with an exhibition on Indian Buddhist heritage. Free and special train services are being run for pilgrims traveling to Mihintale and Anuradhapura.

Historical Significance

Poson Poya commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 3rd century BCE.
Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, visited Mihintale and converted King Devanampiyatissa, initiating the spread of Theravāda Buddhism.
Mihintale is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Celebrations in 2025

Major religious and cultural activities at,

Mihintale Hill
Sacred city of Anuradhapura
Streets and temples decorated with:
White cloths (sil banners)
Lanterns (Vesak kudu)
Illuminations and almsgiving booths (dansalas)

Special Facilities

Free shuttle trains between Anuradhapura and Mihintale during Poson week.
Special trains between Colombo Fort and Anuradhapura to accommodate large pilgrim flow.

India’s Participation

Indian High Commission in Colombo organized a Buddhist heritage exhibition at the National Museum.
Strengthens cultural diplomacy and shared Buddhist roots between India and Sri Lanka.

President’s Message

President Dissanayake emphasized,

National unity
A path of moral and spiritual revival
The role of Buddhism in social transformation

Top-5 Nectarines Producing Countries in the World in 2025

Nectarines are sweet and juicy fruits that look like peaches but have smooth skin. They are grown in many parts of the world and are loved for their taste and health benefits. Every year, some countries export large amounts of nectarines to other nations. In 2025, a few countries stood out as the top exporters of nectarines. Let’s learn about the top-5 nectarine exporting countries.

Worldwide Nectarine Production

Worldwide nectarine and peach production reached about 26,354 kilotonnes. China is the biggest producer, growing about 16,800 kilotonnes alone. This means more than half of the world’s nectarines and peaches come from China, making it the leader in global production.

Top-5 Nectarines Producing Countries in the World in 2025

Nectarines are sweet fruits that are similar to peaches but have smooth skin. They are rich in vitamins and loved by people across the world. Many countries grow nectarines, but some produce much more than others.

Here are the names of top-5 nectarines producing countries in the world in 2025:

China
United States
Spain
Italy
Turkey

China

China is the biggest producer of nectarines in the world. In 2025, it is expected to grow over 2 million metric tons of nectarines. This large amount is possible because China has huge farming areas and high demand for the fruit. Nectarine farming is growing every year due to both local and international needs.

United States

The USA is the second-biggest nectarine producer, with California being the top nectarine-growing state. In 2025, the U.S. is likely to grow around 800,000 metric tons. The country focuses on growing high-quality nectarines that taste good and look fresh.

Spain

Spain grows a lot of nectarines and exports them to many countries. In 2025, Spain is expected to produce more than 500,000 metric tons. The country’s warm weather and good farming methods help in farming sweet nectarines.

Italy

Italy is also a big name in nectarine farming. It is expected to produce about 400,000 metric tons in 2025. Italian farmers use smart farming tools and care deeply about fruit quality.

Turkey

Turkey is an important nectarine-growing country in the Middle East. In 2025, it will likely grow over 300,000 metric tons. Many Turkish farmers grow nectarines without harmful chemicals, which is good for health.

Punjab Sees 20% Rise in Cotton Cultivation Amid Crop Diversification Push

In a significant boost to crop diversification, Punjab has recorded a 20% increase in cotton cultivation in 2025 compared to the previous year. The area under cotton has expanded from 2.49 lakh acres to 2.98 lakh acres, marking a rise of over 49,000 acres. The districts of Fazilka, Mansa, Bathinda, and Sri Muktsar Sahib are leading this surge. The state government has stepped in with supportive subsidies and digital registration drives to encourage cotton farming among growers.

Why in News?

Punjab witnessed a sharp rise in cotton acreage in 2025 as part of its crop diversification strategy. The Punjab government is providing a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds to encourage cultivation. Over 49,000 farmers have registered online, with a deadline of June 15 for registration. This marks a policy push toward sustainable agriculture and reducing paddy dependence.

Statistical Surge

Previous year (2024): 2.49 lakh acres under cotton
Current year (2025): 2.98 lakh acres under cotton
Increase: 49,000 acres (approx. 20% rise)

Key Cotton-Producing Districts

Fazilka
Mansa
Bathinda
Sri Muktsar Sahib
These districts are traditionally known for cotton but had seen reduced cultivation due to pest attacks and high input costs in recent years.

Objectives and Initiatives

Promote crop diversification and reduce water-intensive paddy cultivation
Encourage sustainable farming and improve farmers’ income
Provide 33% subsidy on cotton seeds
Facilitate digital registration of cotton farmers through online portals

Online Registration Drive

Over 49,000 farmers registered so far.
Chief Agriculture Officers directed to ensure 100% registration by June 15, 2025.

Government Support

Incentivizing cotton through subsidies
Promoting digital inclusion in agriculture
Reducing reliance on groundwater-intensive crops like rice

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Punjab Sees 20% Rise in Cotton Cultivation Amid Crop Diversification Push
Total Cotton Area (2025)	2.98 lakh acres
Total Cotton Area (2024)	2.49 lakh acres
Increase	49,000 acres (approx. 20%)
Top Producing Districts	Fazilka, Mansa, Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib
Government Subsidy	33% on cotton seeds

Russia to Build Eight Nuclear Reactors in Iran, Confirms Iranian Atomic Chief

Iran has announced that Russia will build eight new nuclear power plants on its territory as part of a previously signed bilateral agreement. The announcement was made by Mohammad Eslami, President of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), during a high-level visit by members of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee to the AEOI headquarters in Tehran. The move is seen as a major step toward expanding Iran’s civilian nuclear energy capacity with long-term support from Russia’s Rosatom.

Why in News?

Iran’s atomic chief confirmed Russia’s commitment to constructing eight nuclear plants under an existing contract. The declaration comes amid Iran’s broader strategy to triple its nuclear energy capacity. The announcement was made during a parliamentary visit to the AEOI headquarters in Tehran. The development highlights growing strategic energy cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

Project Details

Total Plants Planned: 8 nuclear reactors
Partner Country: Russia
Implementing Agency: Rosatom (Russia’s state nuclear agency)
Location Focus: 4 plants to be located in Bushehr Province (southern Iran)

Current Developments

Units 2 and 3 of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant are under construction by Iranian firms.
These new developments aim to expand Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Strategic Objectives

Triple nuclear energy output as part of Iran’s long-term energy strategy.
Enhance domestic power generation capacity.
Strengthen Iran-Russia strategic ties through energy collaboration.
Support Iran’s civilian nuclear program in line with international regulations.

Background

The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was completed by Russia in May 2011 and remains Iran’s only operational nuclear power facility.
It is considered a cornerstone of Iran’s nuclear energy ambitions and is monitored under the IAEA framework.
Iran’s civilian nuclear agenda remains under close scrutiny due to past concerns about potential dual-use capabilities.

Key Stakeholders

Mohammad Eslami – President, AEOI
Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee
Rosatom – Russian state nuclear corporation
Iranian energy and construction companies

Reimagining Education for Bharat: Highlights from ABP Live SmartEd Conclave 2025

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to participate in the ABP Live SmartEd Conclave 2025, a landmark event that brought together school leaders, education policymakers, and changemakers from across the country — all united by one shared mission: How can we make education in Bharat more meaningful, more accessible, and more real?

The event was graced by two of India’s key education leaders —

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Education Minister, Government of India
Shri Ashish Sood, Education Minister, Government of NCT of Delhi

It was inspiring to witness the commitment of these policymakers to reimagine India’s education system and focus on equity, innovation, and access for all.

Building for Tier 2 and Tier 3 India

During the summit, I had the chance to share some of the most pressing realities we’re witnessing on the ground — particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.

At Adda Education, our core belief is simple: Quality learning should not be a privilege.

Through digital-first platforms like Adda247, StudyIQ, PrepInsta, Career247, and CUET Adda, we are working to remove the twin barriers of cost and access — and give every learner in Bharat an equal opportunity.

CUET: A New Frontier for Career Access

One of the most important discussions we had was around CUET (Common University Entrance Test) — a game-changing exam that is now a critical turning point for lakhs of students across India.

After my panel discussion, a student came up to me. He was enrolled in the CUET Adda program for the 2025 exam and was excited to share his experience being part of the course.

Moments like these are powerful reminders of why we do what we do.

CUET is not just a test — it’s an opportunity for students to access India’s top universities, often regardless of board percentages or language of instruction. And that makes it a vehicle of transformation for rural and first-generation learners.

What excited me even more was the number of educators — school principals, directors, teachers — who expressed interest in collaborating on CUET Adda. The collective energy to build something meaningful for students was truly heartening.

Closing Thoughts

The ABP SmartEd Conclave was more than just a gathering — it was a call to action. A call to build. A call to collaborate. And most importantly, a call to believe in Bharat’s students. At Adda Education, we are committed to this mission — one learner, one platform, one opportunity at a time.