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.

India and Namibia Sign Key Deals During PM Modi’s Visit

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Namibia on July 9, 2025, both countries signed important agreements and made major announcements to boost cooperation in areas like business, health, and digital payments. The visit also marked a series of firsts for Namibia on the global stage, showing stronger India-Namibia relations and growing partnerships in key sectors.

Key Agreements Signed

India and Namibia signed two major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the visit,

One to set up an Entrepreneurship Development Center in Namibia. This centre will help train young people and support startups.
Another MoU was signed for cooperation in the field of health and medicine. It aims to improve access to medical services, training, and technology sharing between the two nations.

These agreements will help boost Namibia’s economy and healthcare system, while also strengthening its ties with India.

Big Announcements: Namibia Joins Global Platforms

During the visit, Namibia submitted formal letters to join two major international alliances,

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) – a global initiative led by India to promote safe and strong infrastructure against natural disasters.
The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) – which promotes clean and green fuel alternatives, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and support climate goals.
These announcements show Namibia’s commitment to working closely with India and other countries on sustainable development and climate resilience.

Namibia First Country to Adopt UPI Technology

A major highlight of the visit was Namibia becoming the first country in the world to sign a licensing agreement to adopt UPI (Unified Payments Interface) technology. UPI is a popular digital payment system developed in India that allows fast and secure money transfers using mobile apps.

This move will help boost digital payments and financial inclusion in Namibia, while also showing the global success of India’s digital initiatives. It opens the door for other countries to follow suit in adopting Indian digital solutions.

Guru Purnima 2025: Date, History, Significance, Celebrations and Wishes

Guru Purnima is a special day celebrated to thank and honor our teachers, known as gurus. These gurus guide us in life, give us knowledge and help us become better people. Guru Purnima is celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains in many countries like India, Nepal and Bhutan. It is a time to show love and respect to all those who teach us.

Guru Purnima 2025: Date and Time

In 2025, Guru Purnima will be celebrated on Thursday, July 10.

Purnima Tithi Begins: 1:36 AM, July 10
Purnima Tithi Ends: 2:06 AM, July 11

This festival happens on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha, which usually comes in June or July.

History of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima has a long and meaningful history. It is also called Vyasa Purnima because it celebrated the birth of Ved Vyasa, a great sage who wrote the Mahabharata. He is seen as one of the greatest teachers in Indian tradition.

In Buddhism, this day is also very important. It is believed that Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon on this day in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. So, Buddhists celebrate history this day to remember that special moment.

Meaning and Significance of Guru Purnima

The word ‘Guru’ means someone who removes darkness (ignorance) and shows the light (knowledge). The word ‘Purnima’ means full moon.

This day is important because it reminds us of the role of teachers in our life. Teachers can be anyone – our parents, school teachers, spiritual leaders or even elder siblings who guide us with love and care.

In Nepal, Guru Purnima is also celebrated as Teacher’s Day, which shows how much respect is given to teachers in society.

Celebrations of Guru Purnima 2025

People celebrate Guru Purnima in many special ways:

Students visit their teachers and offer flowers, sweets and gifts.
Special prayers and pujas are held in temples and homes.
In schools and ashrams, programs are organized to thank the gurus.
Buddhists offer prayers to Lord Buddha and remember his teachings.
Many people also read spiritual books or meditate to honor their gurus.

Guru Purnima 2025 – Wishes

Happy Guru Purnima! May our gurus’ wisdom guide us always.
Grateful for the light of knowledge from our gurus.
Wishing our teachers good health, wisdom and joy.
May our gurus’ teachings light our path.
Thank you, dear gurus, for shaping our lives.
May we always learn with humility.
Honouring the kindness and wisdom of our gurus.
May your blessings bring us peace and happiness.

Delhi Launches ‘Saheli Card’ for Free Bus Travel

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has announced a new ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender persons to travel free on Delhi buses. This new system will replace the pink ticket scheme and will only be available to people with a Delhi address and Aadhaar card. The change aims to stop misuse and improve how the free travel scheme works.

Free Travel Only for Delhi Residents

Earlier, all women, no matter where they lived, could get free travel on Delhi buses by using pink tickets. But now, only those who live in Delhi and can show a valid address proof and Aadhaar card will get the new Saheli Card. These cards will have the user’s name and photo and can be applied for online through the DTC website. The cards will be sent by post after approval.

Why the Change Was Made

Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said that fake pink tickets were being made, and many were used to wrongly claim money from the government. He said, “We want a system that is clean and fair. Free rides should go only to those who really use them.” The Saheli Card will help track actual users and stop fraud. It will also make the system more transparent and accountable.

Smart, Modern, and Digital Travel

The Saheli Card is part of a bigger plan to make public transport in Delhi modern and digital. It will work like a smart card and will follow the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system. This means it can be used not just on DTC buses but also in Delhi Metro, feeder buses, parking, and even for small payments in shops.

DTC is also setting up over 12,000 card readers, QR-code-based ticketing, and apps that let users recharge cards, plan trips, and check balance. These services will connect with apps made along with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

More Card Options for All Users

Besides the Saheli Card, DTC will launch two other cards

Zero KYC Card – No ID proof needed, fast to get, usable across travel networks.
Full KYC Card – Given by banks after full ID check, with more secure features.

These will help people who don’t want to apply for the Saheli Card but still want easy, cashless travel.

Who Is Left Out?

People living in Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, or other NCR cities will not be able to get free rides under this scheme, even if they work in Delhi. However, they can still buy and use the card for regular travel (without free benefits).

PM Modi Gets Namibia’s Top Civilian Honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given Namibia’s highest civilian award during his one-day state visit to the African nation on Wednesday. The award, called ‘The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis’, was presented by Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. This honour shows the strong and growing relationship between India and Namibia.

Modi Receives Top Honour in Namibia

During his visit to Namibia on Wednesday, PM Modi was honoured with the country’s top civilian award – The Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. The ceremony took place in the capital and was led by Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. The award is named after a rare desert plant found only in Namibia, which stands for strength, long life, and resilience.

Modi is the first Indian leader to receive this special award. In his acceptance speech, he said, “I accept this honour with deep gratitude and dedicate it to the 1.4 billion people of India and the strong friendship between India and Namibia.”

Meaning and History of the Award

The Welwitschia Mirabilis Award was started in 1995. It is given to people who show great leadership and work to build strong ties between nations. The plant it is named after survives in the desert for many years, which is why it is used as a symbol of endurance and unity.

This is PM Modi’s 27th international award and the fourth during his current five-nation trip. Interestingly, it is also his second award within 24 hours, showing the global appreciation he is receiving on this tour.

A New Chapter in India-Namibia Relations

This honour marks a new milestone in the bond between India and Namibia. India and Namibia have worked together in areas like education, healthcare, defence, and technology. The award is a symbol of Namibia’s respect for India’s support and its interest in building even stronger ties in the future.

With this honour, both countries are expected to deepen their cooperation further in the coming months, especially in trade, green energy, and digital innovation.

Which is the Newest District of Nagaland? Know About It

Nagaland is a state in the northeastern part of India, known for its rich tribal culture, green hills and beautiful landscapes. Over time, the state has added new districts to make administration easier and to bring government services closer to the people. Recently, new district was created, aiming to improve development, connect border areas and highlight the unique identity of the local tribes and communities.

An Overview of Nagaland

Nagaland is a small state in northeast India. It shares borders with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Myanmar. The capital of Nagaland is Kohima and the largest city is Chumoukedima – Dimapur. The state covers an area of about 16,579 square kilometers and had a population of nearly 20 lakh (1.98 million). It is one of the least populated states.

Number of Districts in Nagaland

Nagaland has a total of 17 administrative districts. These districts help in managing the state better by bringing government services closer to the people and improving local development and administration.

Newest District of Nagaland

Nagaland, a beautiful state in Northeast India, has a total of 17 districts. The newest among them is Meluri District. It was officially declared as a separate district on November 2, 2024. Earlier, Meluri was a part of Phek District. This new district is an important region for the Pochury Naga Tribe, who had been requesting district status for many years.

An Overview of Meluri District

Meluri is located in the southeastern part of Nagaland. It is home to the Pochury tribe, known for their unique traditions and culture. The area is hilly and rich in natural beauty. The people here mostly depend on agriculture and animal farming for their livelihood. Meluri also shares a border with Myanmar, which makes it a strategically important region.

History of Meluri District

The journey of Meluri toward becoming a district started long ago:

1958: Meluri became a Chairman Bench court, which handled small administrative duties.
1959: It was upgraded to a Circle Officer level.
1959: It became an Extra Assistant Commissioner.
1981: Meluri was promoted to a Sub-Divisional Office (SDO).
2008: It became an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sub-Division.

Finally, after years of demand by the local people, especially the Pochury Nagas, the government of Nagaland declared Meluri as a full-fledged district in October 2024, and the official notification was issued on November 2, 2024.

Which City is Known as the City of Gardens in Haryana?

Haryana is a state in northern India known for its fast-growing cities, farming and culture. Some of its cities are famous for special things like temples, industries or nature. One city in Haryana is very-well known for its green spaces, peaceful parks and clean surroundings. People visit it to enjoy fresh air and beautiful views. Because of this, it is given a special nickname related to gardens.

An Overview of Haryana

Haryana is the state in northwestern India. It was formed on 1 November 1966 after being separated from Punjab. The capital city is Chandigarh, which it shares with Punjab. Haryana is small in size, covering only 1.4% of India’s land. Faridabad is its biggest city, and Gurgaon is a major center for finance and technology in the country.

Number of Districts in Haryana

Haryana has 6 divisions and 22 districts. These districts are further divided into 72 sub-divisions, 93 tehsils and 50 sub-tehsils. The state also has 140 developmental blocks, 154 cities and towns, 7,356 villages and 6,222 village panchayats.

City of Gardens in Haryana

Pinjore, a town in Haryana, is known as the ”City of Gardens.” This name comes from the beautiful Pinjore Gardens, called Yadavindra Gardens. These Mughal-style gardens are full of greenery, fountains and flowers. Their beauty and historical importance make Pinjore famous as a peaceful and lovely garden city.

Why is Pinjore Known as the City of Gardens?

Pinjore is called the ”City of Gardens” because of the beautiful and historic Pinjore Gardens. These gardens are a fine example of Mughal-style garden design, with lovely fountains, pathways, terraced lawns and blooming flowers. The gardens were built in the 17th-century and are known for their neat layout and greenery. Their beauty and importance have made Pinjore famous as a garden city.

An Overview of Pinjore

Pinjore is a small town in Panchkula district of Haryana. It lies near the Shivalik Hills and is close to Chandigarh. Pinjore is not only known for its gardens but also for its rich history and culture. It is said to have roots in ancient times, mentioned even in Vedic texts. Some believe the Pandavas stayed here during their exile, making it a place of mythological importance.

Which District has the Longest Name in Haryana? Know About It

Haryana is a state in northern India with many districts, each having its own name, size and history. Some district names are short and simple, while others are long and unique. One district in Haryana has the longest name compared to all others. It is known for its historical importance, local culture and contribution to the state’s development. Let’s learn more about this special district.

An Overview of Haryana

Haryana is a state in northwestern India, formed on 1 November 1966 after being separated from Punjab. Its capital is Chandigarh, which it shares with Punjab. The biggest city is Faridabad and Gurgaon is a major business and tech hub. Haryana has 22 districts, 6 divisions, 72 sub-divisions, many towns, villages and local panchayats. It covers about 1.4% of India’s total land area.

Number of Districts in Haryana

Haryana has 6 divisions and 22 districts. It also has 72 sub-divisions, 93 tehsils, 50 sub-tehsils, 140 development blocks, 154 towns, 7,356 villages and 6,222 village panchayats.

District with the Longest Name in Haryana

The district with the longest name in Haryana is Charkhi Dadri. It became a separate district on December 1, 2016. Before that, it was a part of Bhiwani district. The name Charkhi Dadri comes from two old villages – Charkhi and Dadri – which were joined together as the town grew.

Number of Letter in Charkhi Dadri

The name ‘‘Charkhi Dadri” has 12 letters if we count only the alphabets and 13 characters if we include the space. It is the longest district name in Haryana. The name is made by joining two village names: Charkhi and Dadri, which later formed one town.

An Overview of Charkhi Dadri

Charkhi Dadri is a city and the main center of the Chakri Dadri district in Haryana. It is located about 90 km from Delhi. The city was formed by joining two villages, Charkhi and Dadri, during urban development. It lies on two national highways – NH 148B (Narnaul to Bathinda) and NH 348B (Meerut to Pilani), making it well connected.

Union Minister Pradhan Inaugurates Agritech Innovation Hub in Meerut

In a landmark move to revolutionize agriculture through innovation and digital technology, Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Minister of State for Education and Skill Development, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh Agritech Innovation Hub and the Agritech Startup and Technology Showcase at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut, on July 9, 2025.

This initiative is envisioned as a collaborative platform that connects farmers, technologists, startups, and academia, aiming to deliver sustainable, region-specific agricultural solutions.

Empowering Farmers Through Next-Generation Technology

Speaking at the event, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commended SVPUAT for developing a curriculum aligned with the future needs of Indian agriculture. He underscored that the dream of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) cannot be fulfilled without prosperous farmers and vibrant rural communities.

Pradhan reiterated that the heart of India beats in its fields, and while India’s services sector is globally recognized, agriculture remains the soul of the nation. He stressed that innovations in agriculture, when grounded in tradition and backed by technology, will lead to self-reliant and sustainable rural economies.

The Agritech Hub: A Technological Leap

The newly inaugurated Agritech Innovation Hub is equipped with:

IoT-enabled sensors
Smart irrigation systems
Automation tools
Real-time data analytics platforms

These technologies will enable precision farming, promote climate-resilient agriculture, and reduce input costs while maximizing yields.

The hub aims to co-create scalable solutions in collaboration with startups, researchers, farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). It reflects India’s resolve to modernize agriculture while preserving its ecological and cultural fabric.

Centre of Excellence: IIT Ropar’s Strategic Role

The initiative is a part of the Centre of Excellence on AI in Agriculture, funded through the Union Budget, with IIT Ropar as the lead technological partner. IIT Ropar will contribute:

Infrastructure and technology from its Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Lab
Expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing
A funding commitment of ₹75 lakhs towards the project

An MoU was signed between SVPUAT and IIT Ropar during the event to formalize academic and research collaboration.

Model Smart Farm and Technology Demonstration

A technology demonstration session was held at SVPUAT’s Model Smart Farm, showcasing:

Advanced irrigation automation
Soil moisture sensors
Weather-linked advisory systems
Agritech solutions developed by 20 startups

Progressive farmers were felicitated for embracing modern techniques like natural farming, zero-budget agriculture, and data-driven cultivation practices.

Startups, Skilling, and Future Readiness

The event featured:

An exhibition of 20 agritech startups presenting disruptive technologies
Announcements of upcoming startup incubation and skilling programs
Engagements with farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and KVKs for capacity building

Training sessions, field visits, and hands-on learning modules will be implemented to ensure smooth technology transfer from labs to fields.

A Vision Rooted in India’s Agrarian Legacy

Minister Pradhan paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Chaudhary Charan Singh, emphasizing that true homage lies in doubling farmers’ incomes and ensuring agricultural self-reliance. Amid global food security challenges and climate change, India’s move towards natural and chemical-free farming must be backed by real-time tech solutions, he noted.

The hub, thus, represents a significant step toward transforming the “Annadata” (food provider) into a “Tech-data empowered innovator”.

PM Modi Sets $20 Billion Trade Target with Brazil by 2030

During a state visit to Brazil on July 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a bold goal to increase India–Brazil bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030, up from the current $12.2 billion. Speaking at a Joint Press Conference alongside Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, PM Modi outlined a roadmap to deepen economic cooperation and strategic ties between the two major Global South economies.

Expanding Trade Through Mercosur

Widening the Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement

PM Modi emphasized India’s intent to expand the Mercosur preferential trade agreement. Mercosur, a regional trade bloc comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, currently has limited coverage with India. Modi stressed the need to include more products and enhance market access for Indian exporters.

The Prime Minister also highlighted sectors ripe for expansion such as:

Agriculture and food processing
Agri-tech and value-added food exports
Digital public infrastructure
Space technology and research collaboration

Boosting Digital Payments: UPI in Brazil

A major highlight of the visit was PM Modi’s announcement regarding the adoption of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Brazil. Following its successful rollout in countries like Singapore and UAE, India’s digital payments framework could soon become a global export, with Brazil as its newest adopter.

This move aligns with Brazil’s own push towards financial inclusion and digital transformation, and could strengthen India’s soft power in fintech innovation.

Civilian Honour: Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross

In a symbolic gesture of goodwill, President Lula conferred upon Prime Minister Modi Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. This prestigious award recognizes Modi’s contributions to:

Bilateral economic and diplomatic relations
Global platform cooperation, including BRICS, G20, and Global South summits
South–South collaboration in technology and climate change

Pharmaceutical Access and Visa Liberalisation

Following the bilateral talks, Secretary (East) P. Kumaran from the Ministry of External Affairs briefed media, noting several breakthroughs:

Brazil welcomed cost-effective Indian pharmaceuticals, including proposals to establish pharma manufacturing hubs in Brazil.
Visa liberalisation talks for Indian tourists and business professionals were positively received, aimed at boosting people-to-people and trade connectivity.
Both countries acknowledged the importance of India’s generic drug industry for Brazil’s public health sector.

Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Rare Earths

India has expressed interest in Brazil’s rich mineral assets, particularly rare earth elements, which are critical for:

Electronics and defense manufacturing
EV battery production
Space and satellite technology

Proposals were made to allow Indian investments or joint ventures to mine, process, or co-develop these resources. President Lula indicated that Brazil’s upcoming rare earth policy will offer incentives for Indian companies.

MoUs Signed and Future Agreements

Three MoUs signed during the visit:

Intelligence sharing on terrorism and transnational crime
Biofuel cooperation, including ethanol-blended fuel development
Partnership on renewable energy technologies

Upcoming MoUs to be signed shortly:

Agricultural research collaborations
Exchange of classified strategic information
Cooperation on Intellectual Property (IP) systems

These agreements showcase a multi-sectoral strategic partnership between India and Brazil that goes beyond just trade, touching upon energy security, food sustainability, innovation, and counterterrorism.

ISRO Successfully Conducts Hot Tests of Gaganyaan Propulsion System

On July 3, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out two hot tests of the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at its Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. These tests mark a vital progression toward the realization of India’s first crewed space mission, the Gaganyaan Programme.

The tests were publicly disclosed by ISRO on July 8, highlighting the space agency’s technical preparedness and the operational integrity of the propulsion module.

What Is the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS)?

The Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) is one of the core components of the Gaganyaan Orbital Module. It plays a crucial role in orbital maneuvers, trajectory corrections, and abort scenarios where crew safety is paramount.

Key Features of SMPS:

5 Liquid Apogee Motors (LAMs), each with 440 Newton (N) thrust.
16 Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters, each delivering 100N thrust.
Designed to operate in both steady-state and pulsed modes.

Details of the Hot Tests

ISRO conducted two hot tests on July 3:

A 30-second short-duration test
A 100-second extended test

These tests were performed to validate the SMPS test article configuration under conditions that closely mimic real flight scenarios. According to ISRO, all parameters performed normally, and the results matched pre-test predictions, confirming the robustness and reliability of the system.

Highlights of the 100-Second Test

The 100-second hot test was particularly significant. During this test, ISRO demonstrated:

Simultaneous operation of all RCS thrusters in both steady-state and pulsed firing modes.
Concurrent activation of all LAM engines, effectively simulating in-orbit maneuvering conditions.

This kind of integrated operation is vital to ensuring the system functions flawlessly under crew-carrying mission stress.

Technical Oversight and Development

The development of the SMPS is being spearheaded by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). Over multiple stages of development and testing, the propulsion system has undergone incremental improvements based on insights from previous test cycles.

For this round of tests, the test article incorporated design refinements to more closely replicate actual flight conditions—a move that enhances the confidence level for full-duration qualification testing, which is expected shortly.

Why This Matters: The Gaganyaan Context

The Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate India’s capability to send humans into space and return them safely. It will be the first crewed spaceflight mission undertaken by India, targeting low Earth orbit (LEO) with an Indian crew onboard.

The SMPS is vital not just for keeping the spacecraft on course, but also for executing emergency abort sequences, if needed. A malfunction or delay in this system during flight could endanger the entire mission—making these successful hot tests a critical validation step.