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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.

States and Capitals

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.

Khmer Rouge Sites in Cambodia Added to UNESCO Heritage List

On July 11, 2025, UNESCO added three historic sites in Cambodia, linked to the Khmer Rouge’s brutal regime, to its World Heritage List. This decision was made during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, marking 50 years since the regime’s rise. The move aims to preserve these places as reminders of the tragic past and promote peace and education.

Sites of Brutality Now Sites of Remembrance

The three sites added are,

  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) in Phnom Penh — a former high school used as a prison where over 15,000 people were tortured.
  • M-13 prison in Kampong Chhnang province — an early secret prison operated by the Khmer Rouge.
  • Choeung Ek Killing Fields, 15 km south of Phnom Penh — used for mass executions and burials, known worldwide through the film The Killing Fields.

These sites represent some of the darkest events in Cambodian history, where nearly 1.7 million people died between 1975 and 1979 during the Khmer Rouge rule.

Honoring the Past, Educating the Future

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the recognition and urged citizens to beat drums across the country on Sunday morning to mark the event. In a video message, he said, “May this inscription serve as a lasting reminder that peace must always be defended.”

Youk Chhang, head of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, said these sites will help educate the younger generation and promote healing and awareness of the past.

The listing is Cambodia’s first nomination of a modern historical site, especially one related to recent conflict and genocide. Previously, Cambodia had four ancient sites on the list: Angkor, Preah Vihear, Sambo Prei Kuk, and Koh Ker.

Global Recognition of Cambodia’s Painful History

The Khmer Rouge took power on April 17, 1975, and forced people from cities into the countryside. Many were starved, tortured, or killed. The regime ended in 1979 when Vietnam invaded. In 2022, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal concluded its work, having convicted only three leaders over 16 years, despite spending $337 million.

The new UNESCO recognition shows a shift towards acknowledging modern conflict sites, not just ancient landmarks, as part of global heritage.

Harikrishnan A Becomes India’s 87th Grandmaster

Harikrishnan A. Ra., a 23-year-old chess player from Chennai, has officially become India’s 87th Grandmaster. He earned his final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France on July 11, 2025, completing a long seven-year journey from International Master (IM) to GM.

A Long Journey to Grandmaster Title

Harikrishnan had been an International Master for seven years, chasing the Grandmaster title by competing in many tournaments. Despite coming close multiple times, he could not complete all three GM norms until now. Coached by Shyam Sundar, he kept working hard and stayed committed to his goal.

He finally achieved his third and final GM norm in France by drawing his last-round match against fellow Indian P. Iniyan. He had earlier defeated Jules Moussard of France in the eighth round. This result helped him finish fourth overall in the tournament and earn the prestigious GM title.

Key Moments and Past Norms

Harikrishnan earned his first GM norm at the Biel International Chess Festival 2023 in Switzerland, and his second norm at the Lince Andujar Chess Open in Spain in June 2025. At the La Plagne tournament, he knew he needed 1.5 points in his final two games and performed under pressure to achieve exactly that.

Speaking from France, Harikrishnan said, “It’s been a long wait and struggle. I feel very happy to finally become a GM.”

Future Plans and Career Goals

Harikrishnan recently completed his Master of Commerce (M.Com) from SRM University. He plans to continue playing in Spain and Portugal before returning to India. His next goal is to reach an Elo rating of 2600, a mark of elite-level players.

He also shared plans to pursue an MBA in the USA, balancing academics with his growing chess career.

Italy and Netherlands Qualify for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

On the final day of the Europe Qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Italy and the Netherlands secured their spots in next year’s tournament, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. While the Netherlands won their match, Italy’s net run rate advantage helped them qualify for the first time ever in the history of the tournament.

Final Day Drama in Europe Qualifiers

The last day of the Europe Qualifiers saw all four teams still in the race for qualification. Despite a strong fight from Jersey and a historic win over Scotland, they missed out on qualification. Italy and the Netherlands eventually took the two available spots.

Italy faced the Netherlands and posted 134/7 in their 20 overs. Though the Dutch team chased down the total easily, Italy managed to qualify by stretching the match until the 17th over, securing the required net run rate to enter their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Key Performers and Match Highlights

For Italy, Benjamin Manenti played a steady innings, while Grant Stewart added crucial runs in the final overs. On the bowling side, Roelof van der Merwe from the Netherlands stood out with figures of 3 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs. He was well supported by Kyle Klein, who helped limit Italy’s scoring opportunities.

In the second innings, Michael Levitt and Max O’Dowd gave the Netherlands a quick start during the Powerplay. Although they lost some momentum later, the team still won comfortably while Italy achieved their qualification goal.

What Happens Next

So far, 15 teams have secured their place in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Asia EAP Qualifier will see three more teams qualify, and the Africa Qualifier will add two more, completing the full list of 20 teams for the mega event.

The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is expected to be one of the biggest editions ever, with new teams like Italy making their debut on the world stage.

Top-10 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship, Know About Them

Becoming a citizen of another country can offer many new opportunities, like better jobs, education and safety. But not all countries make it easy. Some have very strict rules and long waiting times. In some places, you must live there for many years, learn the language or give up your old citizenship. In this article, we will go through the list of top-10 countries where getting citizenship is the hardest.

Why is it So Hard?

There are many reasons why some countries are tough when it comes to granting citizenship. These includes:

  • Lengthy Residency Requirements: You must live in the country for many years – sometimes 10, 20 or even 30 years!
  • Language Proficiency: You need to speak and understand the national language fluently.
  • Cultural and Religious Factors: Some countries want people to fully adopt their culture, religion and values.
  • Strict Rules and Limited Dual Citizenship: Many countries don’t allow you to keep your old nationality.

List of Top-10 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship

Here are the names of top-10 countries where getting citizenship is especially difficult:

  • Qatar
  • Vatican City
  • Liechtenstein
  • Bhutan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • Switzerland
  • China
  • North Korea
  • Japan

Qatar

Qatar, a rich country in the Middle East, makes it very hard for foreigners to become citizens. You must live there for 25 years without leaving, speak Arabic, have good behavior and prove you can support yourself financially. You also must give up your current  citizenship. In many cases, you may need to convert to Islam as well.

Vatican City

Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, only gives citizenship to a few special people. These include cardinals, diplomats for the Catholic Church, or those who work inside Vatican City. If you don’t meet one of these conditions, it’s nearly impossible to become a citizen.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, a small and wealthy European country, requires foreigners to live there for 30 years before they can apply for citizenship. You can apply earlier if you marry a citizen or get special approval, but it still takes many years. This long wait makes it one of the hardest countries for citizenship.

Bhutan

Bhutan, a peaceful mountain kingdom, has very strict citizenship rules. If you don’t have Bhutanese parents, you must live there for 20 years and never speak badly about the king or the country. The government can also deny your application without giving a reason.

Saudi Arabia

To become a Saudi citizen, you must live in Saudi Arabia for 10 years, speak Arabic well and have a good character. You also need to give up your previous nationality. The final decision is made by the Ministry of Interior and it can be very hard to get approval.

Kuwait

Kuwait also makes it tough to become a citizen. You must live there for 20 years, speak Arabic and either be born Muslim or convert to Islam. Like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait does not allow dual citizenship.

Switzerland

Switzerland requires you to live in the country for 10 years and hold a special residence permit. You must also speak one of its national languages (German, French, Italian or Romansh). The process involves getting approval from local, regional and national authorities – each with their own set of rules.

China

China rarely gives citizenship to foreigners. The rules are unclear and usually, only people with Chinese family or strong reasons are considered. There’s no set number of years for residency, making the process even harder to understand.

North Korea

North Korea keep its rules on citizenship a secret. The decision is made by a high-level government body, and the country does not allow dual nationality. Very few outsiders even try to get citizenship because it’s nearly impossible and not widely desired.

Japan

Japan requires you to live there for five years, behave well and prove you can support yourself. You must also give up your current citizenship. Though the language requirement is basic, the overall process is strict and carefully checked by the authorities.

Gingee Fort Named UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gingee Fort in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris. The fort is part of the Maratha Military Landscapes, a group of 12 forts now recognized globally for their cultural and historical value.

Global Honour for Gingee Fort

Gingee Fort, also called the “Troy of the East”, is one of the oldest and most unique forts in South India. It was the only site from Tamil Nadu in the running for the UNESCO World Heritage tag this year. The fort, along with 11 other Maratha-era forts, forms the Maratha Military Landscapes—a nomination that highlights the military engineering, strategic design, and historical significance of these structures.

The recognition means that Gingee Fort will now receive international attention and funding to help preserve and promote it. It is expected to become a major attraction for domestic and international tourists.

Decision at UNESCO Committee Meeting

The announcement was made during the ongoing 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Paris, France. The inclusion of the Maratha Military Landscapes in the World Heritage List marks a major achievement for India’s efforts in preserving its historic architecture and military heritage.

Officials and heritage experts from India welcomed the news and called it a proud moment for Tamil Nadu and the country as a whole. Local authorities are now planning to upgrade visitor facilities at Gingee Fort to handle the expected increase in tourism.

About the Fort and Its Importance

Located in Villupuram district, Gingee Fort dates back to the 9th century and has seen the rule of various dynasties including the Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire, Marathas, Mughals, and British. Known for its unique hilltop structure and strong fortification, the fort has often been praised for its military strength and strategic design.

One of its most famous structures is the Kalyana Mahal, a tower-like building often highlighted in tourism promotions. The fort played an important role in South Indian military history and is a symbol of Tamil Nadu’s rich heritage.

MoS Pankaj Chaudhary Inaugurates Trade Facilitation Conference 2025

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated the Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 in New Delhi. The event, held under the theme “Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade,” aims to strengthen India’s trade processes through efficient testing and compliance systems. This was the first-ever conference of its kind, bringing together over 400 participants.

Conference Highlights Modern Trade Support

The Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 was organised by the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The main focus of the conference was to explore how scientific testing, compliance standards, and modern laboratories can help make India’s trade faster, safer, and easier.

In his speech, MoS Pankaj Chaudhary stressed the importance of building a modern, efficient testing framework that not only ensures quality but also supports economic growth and ease of doing business.

Focus on Scientific Excellence and Trade

The theme “Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade” reflects the government’s goal to reduce trade delays through better technology and science-based testing. Advanced testing infrastructure, such as what CRCL provides, helps customs and border officers check goods more accurately and quickly.

Officials shared how stronger lab support can lead to faster clearance of goods, reduce costs for businesses, and boost India’s export potential. The event featured presentations, expert talks, and discussions on new tools and methods in trade testing.

Participation and Future Goals

Over 400 delegates from different sectors including trade, industry, customs, and science attended the conference. Government officers, scientists, and trade representatives discussed how improved testing systems can play a key role in making India a global trade hub.

The conference marks the beginning of a series of steps the government plans to take to make international trade smoother while ensuring that health, safety, and quality standards are met.

Uttarakhand to Plant Over 5 Lakh Saplings on Harela Festival

Uttarakhand is preparing to plant over 5 lakh saplings on July 16, 2025, to celebrate the Harela festival, a traditional festival of greenery. This large-scale plantation drive aims to set a new record and raise awareness about environmental conservation in the state.

Massive Plantation Drive Across the State

The plantation campaign will cover the entire state, with 3 lakh saplings to be planted in the Garhwal region and 2 lakh in the Kumaon region. The drive is part of this year’s Harela celebration, which carries the special themes — “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Harela Ka Tyohar Manao, Dharti Maa Ka Rin Chukao.”

The saplings will be planted in various locations such as public parks, riverbanks, forests, schools, government campuses, and residential areas.

Community Participation Encouraged

Following the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, preparations are being made to ensure active participation from all sections of society. Villagers, school students, government departments, and environmental groups will take part in the plantation drive.

This mass participation is expected to create greater awareness about environmental protection and encourage people to adopt greener practices in their daily lives.

Aiming to Break the Previous Record

The plantation effort is expected to break the earlier record set in July 2016, when 2 lakh saplings were planted in a single day. By planting over 5 lakh saplings, the state not only wants to set a new record but also send a strong message about its commitment to climate action and sustainable living.

Prasar Bharati Signs MoU to Promote Handball in India

Prasar Bharati has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Handball Association of India (HAI) to produce and broadcast all national and international handball events. The agreement, aimed at boosting handball’s popularity in India, will help showcase the sport on DD Sports, Waves OTT, and other public broadcasting platforms.

MoU to Support and Promote Handball

The agreement was officially exchanged between Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati, and Anandeshwar Pande, Executive Director of HAI. The event also saw the presence of Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati. The MoU is valid for three years and is expected to increase the visibility of handball, helping young talent get recognized and supported.

National Broadcast of Handball Events

As part of this agreement, all national and international handball tournaments will be telecast on DD Sports, streamed on Waves OTT, and shared through other Prasar Bharati platforms. This move ensures that more people, including youth from rural and urban areas, get access to the sport and its competitions.

Aim of the MoU

The main goal of this partnership is to grow the sport of handball in India, create more opportunities for players, and increase fan engagement. With dedicated coverage, the sport is likely to gain more recognition and support, paving the way for better performance at international levels.

SWFs and Pension Funds to Enjoy Tax Exemption Until 2030

The Central Government has extended the tax exemption for Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and Pension Funds on eligible investments in India until March 31, 2030. This move, announced officially on July 12, 2025, aims to attract more long-term foreign investment into key infrastructure sectors like energy, telecom, and logistics.

Boosting Long-Term Capital in Infrastructure

The tax exemption covers income from dividends, interest, and long-term capital gains earned by specified foreign funds on their investments in India. This is expected to encourage more global funds to invest in India’s fast-growing infrastructure, which needs large, sustained capital flows.

The government introduced this benefit in 2020 under Section 10(23FE) of the Income Tax Act, with the goal of increasing financial support for critical development areas such as roads, ports, power, telecom, and logistics.

Timeline and Previous Announcements

Initially, the exemption was allowed for investments made between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2024. It was then extended to March 31, 2025, as announced in the 2024-25 Interim Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Now, the benefit will remain available until the end of FY 2029–30. The Department of Revenue officially notified this extension, turning it into policy.

Growing Interest from Foreign Funds

According to NSDL data, the assets held by sovereign wealth funds in Indian companies rose by 60% year-on-year, reaching ₹4.7 lakh crore by April 2024. This shows rising interest from global investors in India’s growth and infrastructure push.

By continuing these tax benefits, the government hopes to build investor confidence, support its infrastructure goals, and ensure steady capital inflow from large global institutions.

RBI Fines HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance for Breaking Rules

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fined HDFC Bank and Shriram Finance for violating certain regulatory rules. On July 11, 2025, RBI imposed a penalty of ₹4.88 lakh on HDFC Bank and ₹2.70 lakh on Shriram Finance. These penalties aim to ensure that all financial institutions follow proper guidelines and maintain transparency.

Reasons Behind the Penalties

HDFC Bank was penalised for breaking rules related to foreign investment. The violation occurred while the bank was providing a term loan to one of its clients. The RBI found that the bank did not follow the prescribed norms for handling such transactions.

Shriram Finance, on the other hand, was fined for not following proper rules under digital lending norms. This was discovered during a routine inspection based on its financial position as of March 31, 2024. RBI observed that the company routed loan repayments through accounts that did not comply with required regulations.

RBI’s Stand on Regulation and Compliance

The Reserve Bank of India, as the country’s central banking authority, regularly monitors the financial sector to ensure stability and safety. These fines are part of its ongoing efforts to promote responsible banking practices.

Although the violations were not serious enough to question the financial soundness of the two institutions, the RBI stated that such penalties are necessary to maintain discipline and prevent future violations.

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