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.

Shubman Gill, an Indian Cricketer, Appointed as Brand Ambassador for Oakley

Shubman Gill, the new Test series captain of India, has added a stylish touch to his cricket gear. He is now the brand ambassador for Oakley, a famous sunglasses company. This partnership comes with Oakley’s latest campaign called ‘‘Artifacts from the Future.” At just 25, Gill is already known for his cool and calm batting. Now, he is getting attention for his stylish eyewear too.

Why Shubham Gill was Chosen?

Shubham Gill is known for his elegant batting, calm nature and strong performance in all forms of cricket. He is seen as a role model for many young Indians because of his hard work and dedication. Oakley chose him because he represents passion, progress and top performance, which are the same values that Oakley believes in.

Shubham Gill’s Reaction

Shubham said he is very happy to be part of Oakley. He shared that Oakley has always been a part of his cricket journey, every time he stepped onto the field. He feels the brand’s values match his own dreams and efforts in cricket.

Oakley’s Message on the Partnership

Sahil Jindal, the Senior Brand Business Manager at Oakley, said that Oakley is deeply connected to sports and athletes. He said Shubham Gill shows the true Oakley spirit with his never-give-up attitude and love for the game.

Other Famous Athletes with Oakley

Shubham Gill now joins a group of world-famous sports stars who also work with Oakley. These include:

Kylian Mbappe (football)
Damian Lillard (basketball)
Patrick Mahomes II (American football)

About the ”Artifacts from the Future” Campaign

This new campaign by Oakley celebrates 50 years of the brand. The campaign brings in futuristic eyewear designs like Plantaris, Lateralis and Masseter. These new styles mix old memories and new ideas to show how Oakley is growing and changing. The collection is set to be released in May.

Bollywood Actress, Shraddha Kapoor Appointed as Brand Ambassador for Eureka Forbes

Eureka Forbes Ltd, a well-known name in India’s health and hygiene sector, has chosen popular actress Shraddha Kapoor as the brand ambassador for its vacuum cleaner range. With over 40 years of experience, Eureka Forbes continues to provide trusted hygiene solutions for Indian homes. This partnership aims to promote cleaner and healthier living across the country.

Why Shraddha Kapoor?

Shraddha Kapoor is a youth icon known for her healthy lifestyle and smart choices. Eureka Forbes believes she is the perfect match for their brand values. Her connection with young, urban Indians helps the company reach a new generation of customers who care about cleanliness and smart living.

New Technology in Vacuum Cleaners

Eureka Forbes recently launched the Forbes SmartClean Robotic Vacuum Cleaners. These machines come with strong suction power and wet mapping features. They are powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and use LiDAR technology, which helps them clean more accurately and easily. These robotics cleaners make home cleaning effortless and more efficient.

Shraddha Kapoor’s Thoughts

Shraddha Kapoor shared their happiness about joining Eureka Forbes. She said that keeping a clean home is very important for good health. She also praised the SmartClean products for being smart, useful and modern. She hopes more people will be inspired to use these kinds of helpful cleaning tools.

Company’s View on the Partnership

Anurag Kumar, Chief Growth Officer of Eureka Forbes Ltd, said that Shraddha represents smart and mindful living, which matches the company’s vision. He explained that Eureka Forbes has always worked to create advanced and easy-to-use cleaning tools. With this new partnership, the brand hopes to become even closer to today’s modern families.

Focus on Customers and Innovation

Eureka Forbes always put its customers first. The company keeps improving its products to meet the changing needs of Indian households. From robotics vacuum cleaners to deep-cleaning machines, its wide range of products keeps evolving. This helps Eureka Forbes stay a leader in home hygiene solutions.

Raja Kumari Makes History at AMAs 2025

Indian-American rapper and singer-songwriter Raja Kumari has made history by becoming the first Indian-origin musician to win an American Music Award (AMA). The accolade was awarded during the 51st AMA ceremony held in Los Angeles on May 27, 2025, recognizing her contribution to the ‘Arcane League of Legends: Season 2’ soundtrack.

The award was given in the “Favorite Soundtrack” category, where ‘Renegade (We Never Run)’, a powerful and genre-defying track, earned widespread acclaim and ultimately triumphed.

About the Song: A Global Collaboration

The award-winning track, ‘Renegade (We Never Run)’, is a fierce anthem brought to life by a global trio of artists:

Raja Kumari (India/US)
Stefflon Don (UK)
Jarina de Marco (Dominican Republic/Brazil)

It features in the critically acclaimed series ‘Arcane: League of Legends – Season 2’, based on the popular video game franchise.

Cultural Representation and Musical Brilliance

In an interview with PTI, Kumari revealed that the Arcane team approached her because an Indian character was featured in the season. They wanted a voice that could represent Indian culture while delivering aggressive, high-energy music—a space Raja Kumari has made her own.

Unexpected Success and Global Impact

Kumari admitted that she never anticipated the song’s viral success. Originally recorded just for the series, ‘Renegade’ unexpectedly climbed the global charts.

Reaffirming a Global Artistic Vision

At a time when Kumari was questioning whether sticking to one genre might be the only way to attain commercial success, the AMA recognition reaffirmed her belief in being a global artist.

A Win Beyond Borders

Raja Kumari’s AMA win is more than a personal milestone—it is a victory for cultural representation, women in music, and the Indian diaspora globally. As an artist who seamlessly blends hip-hop, Indian classical music, and pop sensibilities, she continues to break barriers and open new doors for South Asian musicians worldwide.

Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2025: Honoring the Legacy of the Rajput Warrior King

Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2025 marks the 485th birth anniversary of one of India’s most iconic warrior kings — Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. Known for his unyielding spirit, fierce patriotism, and legendary resistance against Mughal emperor Akbar, this day holds immense historical and cultural importance across Rajasthan and various parts of India.

Date of Maharana Pratap Jayanti 2025

The birth of Maharana Pratap is traditionally commemorated according to the Hindu lunar calendar, on Jyeshtha Shukla Tritiya. In 2025, this auspicious day falls on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Jayanti Calendar Details:

Event	Date and Time
Maharana Pratap Jayanti	Thursday, May 29, 2025
Tritiya Tithi Begins	01:54 AM on May 29, 2025
Tritiya Tithi Ends	11:18 PM on May 29, 2025
Birth Anniversary	485th

While Maharana Pratap was born on May 9, 1540 under the Julian calendar, which was later replaced by the Gregorian calendar, his birthday is celebrated annually based on the Hindu calendar for spiritual and cultural observances.

Who Was Maharana Pratap?

Maharana Pratap Singh, born into the Sisodia Rajput clan, ruled the kingdom of Mewar in present-day Rajasthan. He is hailed as a symbol of Rajput valor, independence, and sacrifice. Unlike many other regional rulers, Maharana Pratap refused to bow before the Mughal Empire, choosing resistance over submission.

One of the most notable events in his life was the Battle of Haldighati in 1576, where he fiercely fought against Mughal forces led by Man Singh I of Amber, a general in Emperor Akbar’s army. Though outnumbered and out-equipped, Maharana Pratap’s sheer bravery and tactical prowess earned him a legendary status in Indian history.

Significance of Maharana Pratap Jayanti

Maharana Pratap Jayanti is more than a remembrance of a king’s birthday—it’s a day that celebrates the eternal values of bravery, dignity, and national pride.

Why the Day Matters:

It pays tribute to an unyielding warrior who stood for freedom and dharma.
The celebration promotes ideals of self-respect, resistance to oppression, and loyalty to one’s land.
The day is especially significant in Rajasthan, where cultural events, parades, and speeches inspire young minds to emulate his leadership.

From schools and colleges to temples and government institutions, events are held to recount the heroic tales of Maharana Pratap’s sacrifice and determination to defend Mewar till his last breath.

Cultural Celebrations and Tributes

In Rajasthan and surrounding regions, Maharana Pratap Jayanti is marked with:

Cultural performances depicting historical events
Processions showcasing Rajput heritage
Speeches on his contributions to India’s resistance against imperialism
Garlanding of statues and storytelling sessions in schools and community centers

Children dress up as Maharana Pratap and his loyal horse Chetak, and public plays dramatize the Battle of Haldighati to keep his story alive.

Maharana Pratap’s Enduring Legacy

The significance of Maharana Pratap goes beyond the pages of history textbooks. He is remembered for:

His uncompromising stance on sovereignty and freedom
His dedication to the welfare of his people, choosing a life in the forests and hills over submission
His ability to become a symbol of Rajput pride, whose courage still echoes in Indian society

As India continues to evolve, Maharana Pratap’s life serves as a beacon of integrity and resilience. On his 485th Jayanti in 2025, Indians across the globe will pay tribute to this immortal icon of resistance.

Drools Turns Unicorn After Nestle Investment

Bengaluru-based pet food food company Drools has officially become a unicorn (a startup valued at $1 billion or more). This happened after Nestle, a famous Swiss company, bought a small part of Drools. With this deal, Drools becomes the fourth Indian startup in 2025 to reach unicorn status, after Netradyne, Porter and JSW One Platforms.

Nestle’s Role in the Deal

Nestle’s confirmed the investment but said Drools will still make its own decisions and stay independent. Nestle did not share how much money was involved in the deal. The main goal is to support Drools financially while keeping its original team and strategy.

Fourth Unicorn of 2025

Drools is now the fourth company in India to become a unicorn this year. The first was deeptech startup Netradyne in January, followed by Juspay in April and logistics firm Porter in May.

India’s Pet Care Market is Growing Fast

India’s pet care industry is growing quickly. More people, especially young ones in cities, are keeping pets and spending money on their food, grooming and health. This trend is rising due to higher incomes, smaller families and more people seeing pets as part of the family.

The industry is growing at more than 20% each year and is expected to be worth over $1.15 billion by 2026.

About Drools and Its Journey

Drools started in 2010 and is now one of the biggest Indian pet food brands. It got support from a company called L Catterton, which is connected to luxury group LVMH. In 2023, Drools received $60 million to improve its production and distribution.

Drools competes with large international companies like Mars PetCare and Indian brands like Heads Up for Tails.

Why Nestle’s Investment Matters?

Nestle is known worldwide for its pet food brand Purina, but it has not had a big role in India’s pet market until now. By investing in Drools, Nestle can enter the Indian market without changing how it runs its global operations.

This deal also gives Drools a chance to learn from Nestle’s experience and global business methods.

More Companies are Joining the Pet Care Race

Nestle is not the only company interested in India’s growing pet care sector. Godrej Consumer Products has also started working in this field. Experts say that what used to be a small and niche market is now becoming a popular and mainstream business area.

Tata-Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly Line in Karnataka

India’s aviation manufacturing capabilities are set to soar higher as Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and European aerospace giant Airbus join hands to establish the country’s first privately-led helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL). The strategic move places India on the global aerospace map, boosting its ambition of becoming an indigenous defence and aviation manufacturing hub.

A Major Milestone for ‘Make in India’

The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility, to be located in Karnataka’s Kolar district, will assemble Airbus’ H125 helicopters, a globally popular light helicopter model known for its versatility and performance in high-altitude and hot conditions. This facility will be only the fourth H125 assembly plant worldwide, joining existing Airbus facilities in France, the United States, and Brazil.

This marks a major step forward for the ‘Make in India’ initiative, furthering India’s goal to reduce import dependency and boost indigenous aerospace production.

Why Karnataka Was Chosen

Karnataka emerged as the front-runner for the project, outpacing other contenders such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh, thanks to its established aerospace ecosystem and policy incentives.

Proximity to Bengaluru, a major technology and aerospace hub, adds logistical and strategic value.
The Vemgal Industrial Area near Kolar, where the facility will be built, provides ready infrastructure and connectivity.
State government incentives such as subsidies on land acquisition and capital support were key in winning the project.
The presence of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and a skilled aerospace workforce further enhanced Karnataka’s bid.

Production and Future Expansion Plans

Initially, the plant will have a production capacity of 10 H125 helicopters per year, with plans to scale up based on future demand and export opportunities. Industry sources indicate that India’s expanding civil aviation, homeland security, and defence requirements could create a strong domestic market for the H125.

The H125 helicopter is widely used across sectors such as:

Tourism and VIP transport
Medical emergency services (EMS)
Law enforcement
Search and rescue
Utility and industrial services

With this facility, India not only strengthens its manufacturing base but also positions itself as a global exporter of light helicopters.

Strategic Importance of the Project

This collaboration between Tata and Airbus symbolizes the increasing role of the private sector in India’s defence and aerospace space. It’s a notable departure from the traditional reliance on state-run companies like HAL and DRDO.

Key strategic outcomes include:

Boosting indigenous manufacturing of critical aerospace components
Generating high-skilled employment opportunities in Karnataka
Enhancing India’s export competitiveness in the aerospace sector
Deepening Indo-European industrial collaboration

A Boost for India’s Defence and Civil Aviation Ecosystem

With India aiming to become a $5 trillion economy, strategic investments like these will play a pivotal role in modernizing its manufacturing and industrial base. The Airbus-Tata partnership is expected to drive technology transfer, skill development, and supply chain creation, leading to a robust aerospace ecosystem in the country.

It will also aid in civil aviation fleet expansion, especially for smaller, versatile aircraft needed in hilly, remote, or underserved regions.

Top 10 Fastest Trains in India You Should Know

India boasts an extensive railway network, connecting remote corners of the country with bustling cities. Over the years, Indian Railways has introduced some of the fastest trains that have revolutionized travel by reducing journey times significantly. Here, we present the top 10 fastest trains in India, highlighting their speeds, routes, and unique features.

Overview of India’s High-Speed Rail Journey

India’s quest for faster trains began with the introduction of the Rajdhani Express series and continued with modern trains such as the Shatabdi Express and the premium Vande Bharat Express. These trains offer high-speed travel, modern amenities, and greater passenger comfort, reflecting India’s progress in railway technology.

Top 10 Fastest Trains in India

Rank	Train Name	Top Speed (km/h)	Average Speed (km/h)	Route	Key Features
1	Vande Bharat Express	180	130-140	New Delhi to Varanasi	India’s fastest semi-high-speed train with modern coaches and self-propulsion system.
2	Gatimaan Express	160	135	Delhi to Jhansi	India’s first semi-high-speed train with onboard Wi-Fi and catering.
3	Shatabdi Express	150	90-110	Various routes (e.g., Delhi-Chandigarh)	Known for speed and luxury with onboard meals and AC coaches.
4	Rajdhani Express	130-140	90-110	Various routes (e.g., Delhi-Mumbai)	Premium long-distance train with high priority and meals included.
5	Tejas Express	130	110	Mumbai to Goa	Modern train with smart features and entertainment system.
6	Humsafar Express	130	100	Various routes	Fully AC 3-tier trains with modern amenities and CCTV.
7	Double Decker Express	130	90	Various routes	Two-level coaches increasing passenger capacity.
8	Duronto Express	130	100	Non-stop long-distance routes	Faster than Rajdhani on select routes with fewer stops.
9	Kavi Guru Express	130	90-100	Various routes	Connects important cities with relatively faster speeds.
10	Uday Express	130	85-95	Day travel routes	Double-decker AC coaches designed for intercity travel.

Highlights of India’s Fastest Trains

Vande Bharat Express tops the chart with a speed of up to 180 km/h and is known for its energy-efficient, self-propelled design.
Gatimaan Express, India’s first semi-high-speed train, delivers exceptional speed on the Delhi-Jhansi route.
Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express trains continue to be popular for their speed and premium services across various corridors.
Modern trains like Tejas Express and Humsafar Express offer improved passenger comfort and digital amenities.
Double-decker trains like Double Decker Express and Uday Express enhance capacity while maintaining high speeds.

The Future of High-Speed Rail in India

India is also investing heavily in high-speed rail corridors, such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project, which will introduce speeds exceeding 300 km/h. This investment marks a leap toward global standards of high-speed rail connectivity.

Nagshankar Temple of Assam Becomes Modern Temple for Turtle Conservation

Nagshankar Temple, located in Biswanath district in northeastern Assam, has been named a model temple for turtle conservation. This recognition was given on May 23, 2025, during a special event held on World Turtle Day. The event celebrated the temple’s important work in protecting turtles, which are deeply respected in Assam’s culture.

World Turtle Day Celebration at Nagshankar

The event was organized by several groups, including Kaziranga National Park, Assam State Zoo, Nagshankar Temple Committee, Chaidur College and conservation organizations like Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) Foundation India, Aaranyak and Help Earth.

Local MLA Padma Hazarika officially recognized the temple’s role in turtle conservation. People sang songs about turtles and released a special brochure to help the public identify different types of freshwater turtles.

Cultural and Religious Importance

In Assam, turtles are considered sacred and are believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu. Many temple ponds in the state naturally became safe homes for turtles over time. The Nagshankar Temple is one of the best examples of this tradition. It is now supported by conservation experts, especially the TSA Foundation.

Community Support and ‘Kaso Mitras’

The event also honoured local people called ”Kaso Mitras,” or turtle friends. These community members help protect turtles in the area. Anjali Das, president of a women’s weaver group called Kaso Sakhi, explained that turtles clean the water by eating dead and rotten things in ponds and rivers. Her group also makes handloom products with turtles designs to spread awareness.

Turtle Species Protected at Nagshankar Temple

The temple conserves 13 species of freshwater turtles. These include:

Black Softshell Turtle: Critically Endangered
Assam Roofed Turtle: Critically Endangered
Indian Softshell Turtle: Endangered
Peacock Softshell Turtle: Endangered
Indian Narrow-Headed Softshell Turtle: Endangered
Spotted Pond Turtle: Endangered
Tricarinate Hill Turtle: Endangered
Indian Flapshell Turtle: Vulnerable
Indian Roofed Turtle: Vulnerable
Brown Roofed Turtle: Near Threatened
Brown Roofed Turtle: Near Threatened
Assam Leaf Turtle: Near Threatened
Indian Tent Turtle: Least Concern
Indian Black Turtle: Least Concern

These classifications are based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, which shows how threatened each species is.

India Unveils Plans for E-Hansa: A Game-Changer in Indigenous Green Aviation

In a significant step towards green aviation and indigenous technological innovation, India has launched the development of the Electric Hansa (E-HANSA) — a next-generation, two-seater electric trainer aircraft. This initiative was revealed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, during a high-level review meeting with top science department officials.

E-HANSA: India’s Indigenous Electric Aircraft

The E-HANSA aircraft, part of the broader HANSA-3 Next Generation (NG) program, is being indigenously developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru — a CSIR institute. The aircraft is designed to serve as a cost-effective alternative to imported trainer planes, with an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore, nearly half the cost of foreign counterparts.

Strategic Importance: Green Energy & Pilot Training

The E-HANSA aligns with India’s green aviation vision, seeking to reduce carbon emissions in aviation and transition towards clean energy usage in aircraft systems. It is also positioned to revolutionize pilot training infrastructure by offering affordable and sustainable training platforms.

Push for Public-Private Partnerships in R&D

During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the need to commercialize indigenous technologies through robust public-private partnerships (PPP). He instructed the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) to replicate the successful models of DBT-BIRAC and IN-SPACe for enhanced technology transfer and private sector engagement.

Tech Transfer, Ease of Doing Business & “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”

Dr. Singh reiterated the importance of standardizing technology transfer protocols, promoting the ease of doing science and innovation business, and building international science partnerships under the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family.

ISRO’s Achievements Praised: SPADEX & Operation Sindoor

Dr. Singh commended the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for:

The successful SPADEX mission, which demonstrated docking and undocking capabilities essential for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission
Their leadership role in Operation Sindoor, which received national acclaim

ISRO’s collaboration with 40 Union Ministries and 28 State Governments was highlighted, showcasing its growing strategic footprint in governance and national development.

Axiom Space Mission & Microgravity Research

In an exciting announcement, Dr. Singh revealed that Group Captain Subhash Shukla would represent India in the Axiom Space Mission, carrying out seven microgravity experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) — a move that will elevate India’s presence in space science and R&D.

Regional Chintan Shivirs for Integrated Science Planning

To promote integrated science governance, Dr. Singh called for region-wise Chintan Shivirs across the country, modeled after the recent event in NIOT Chennai. These gatherings will bring together key departments including:

DST (Department of Science and Technology)
DBT (Department of Biotechnology)
CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research)
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
Earth Sciences
Department of Atomic Energy

The goal is to foster synergized and cross-disciplinary planning across India’s scientific institutions.

Biomanufacturing and Global Talent Outreach

In line with enhancing India’s biomanufacturing and R&D capabilities, Dr. Singh proposed a “Global Science Talent Bridge” to attract top international scientists and innovators. He also acknowledged the enthusiastic student response to the opening of CSIR labs, which had to be temporarily paused due to security concerns but will resume shortly.

Growing International Science Collaborations

India’s expanding global scientific diplomacy was another key theme. Dr. Singh mentioned Switzerland and Italy as the latest countries expressing interest in setting up bilateral science centers, similar to existing Indo-French and Indo-German collaborations.

Industrial Growth Slows to Eight-Month Low of 2.7% in April 2025

India’s industrial activity growth weakened to its lowest in eight months in April 2025, signaling a slowdown across key economic sectors. According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew by just 2.7% in April, compared to a growth rate of 5.8% in March 2025 and a contraction of 0.1% in August 2024, the last time growth was this sluggish.

Key Drag: Mining and Electricity Sectors Underperform

A significant drag on overall industrial performance came from the mining and quarrying sector, which contracted by 0.2%, marking its worst performance since August 2024. This suggests persistent weakness in raw material extraction activities that are critical for infrastructure and energy supply chains.

Similarly, the electricity sector recorded a growth of only 1.1% — its slowest pace in eight months. The tepid rise in electricity generation is particularly concerning as it indicates lower energy consumption across industrial and residential segments, reflecting a softening in overall demand.

Manufacturing Offers a Silver Lining

In contrast to mining and electricity, the manufacturing sector provided a moderate boost to the IIP. It expanded by 3.4% in April 2025, registering a three-month high in output. This improvement was partially driven by better performance in consumer durables and capital goods, but overall momentum remained subdued.

Primary Goods and Consumer Non-Durables Show Signs of Weakness

The primary goods category — comprising raw materials used in the production of finished goods — contracted by 0.4%, also marking an eight-month low. This category had previously shown consistency in growth, and its contraction now signals potential supply-side bottlenecks or weak demand from downstream industries.

Meanwhile, the consumer non-durables sector, which includes essential household goods, shrunk by 1.7%, making it the third consecutive month of contraction and the fourth contraction in five months. This persistent decline suggests sluggish demand among rural and lower-income urban consumers, possibly due to inflationary pressures or post-harvest market lulls.

Capital Goods Post Robust Growth of 20.3%

One bright spot in the industrial performance was the capital goods sector, which saw a remarkable growth of 20.3% in April 2025. This surge came on the back of a low base of 2.81% in April 2024, yet analysts view the rebound as a positive indicator of investment activity.

This strong growth was led by electrical and non-electrical machinery, indicating potential demand from infrastructure, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

Consumer Durables Recover on Seasonal and Auto Sector Demand

The consumer durables segment witnessed a rebound with 6.4% growth, a three-month high. This recovery is attributed to:

The successful rabi crop, which boosted rural incomes
The marriage season, traditionally a time of high consumer spending
Strong performance of the automobile sector, which grew by 15.4%

These factors have positively impacted the production of items like household appliances, electronics, and vehicles.

Outlook: Investment Boost Needed to Sustain Growth

Despite the isolated gains in capital goods and manufacturing, the broad-based slowdown across mining, electricity, and consumer non-durables is a cause for concern. To prevent further deceleration, policy support and private sector investment may be essential.

The industry awaits signs of sustainable demand recovery, especially in rural and consumer-driven sectors, alongside continued infrastructure spending to support long-term growth.