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 vs Japan: A Tale of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Precision

India and Japan are two remarkable countries with their own special histories and cultures that have developed over thousands of years. India is known for its deep spiritual beliefs, old traditions and wise teachings from the past. Japan is famous for its modern technology, strict discipline and doing things with great care and accuracy. Even though they are different in many ways, both countries have given a lot to the world – India through its ancient wisdom and Japan through its modern ideas. In this article, we will see how these two great nations are different.

Ancient Wisdom of India

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. It gave birth to religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The ideas of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda (natural medicine) all came from India.

Yoga and meditation help people stay calm and healthy.
The Vedas and Upanishads, ancient Indian texts, teach deep truths about life, nature and the universe.
India taught the world about zero and advanced mathematics and astronomy long ago.

Japan’s Culture of Precision

Japan is known for being neat, clean and organized. Everything in Japan is planned with care – from trains that are almost never late, to factories that make cars and electronics with perfect accuracy.

The Japanese work ethic is admired worldwide.
They believe in Kaizen, which means ”continuous improvement.”
Japan is a leader in robotics, high-speed trains and quality manufacturing.

Difference Between India and Japan

India and Japan are two very different countries with their own special cultures, traditions and ways of life. While India is known for its ancient wisdom and spiritual roots, Japan is known for its modern technology and discipline. Both countries have unique strengths and global importance.

Here is the different between India and Japan:

Basis of Difference	India	Japan
Cultural Roots	One of the world’s oldest civilizations; home to major religions and philosophies	Deeply rooted traditions with influence from Shinto and Zen Buddhism.
Spiritual Practices	Meditation, yoga and Ayurveda for inner peace and health	Discipline, mindfulness and respect in everyday actions
Education & Knowledge	Ancient texts like the Vedas, early advanced in maths and astronomy	Focus on science, engineering and technical education.
Technology	Fast-growing tech sector, strong in IT and space programs	World leader in robotics, electronics and high-speed trains
Way of Life	Flexible, spiritual, family-oriented	Organized, punctual and focused on efficiency
Traditions & Festivals	Diwali, Holi and spiritual rituals that bring communities together	Cherry Blossom (Hanami), tea ceremonies and seasonal festivals.
Work Culture	Often more relaxed, flexible working style	Highly disciplined, team-oriented, continued improvement (Kaizen)
Global Influence	Spread of yoga, meditation and spiritual teachings worldwide.	Known for innovation, design and product quality around the globe.

World Population Day 2025, Date, Theme, Significance, Background

World Population Day, observed annually on July 11, is more than a reminder of the rising global headcount. It is a global platform to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities of population growth, and how they affect health, environment, development, and human rights. In 2025, as the world’s population crosses 8.1 billion and India becomes the most populous country, the spotlight is on youth empowerment, reproductive rights, and sustainable living. This day, established in 1989 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was inspired by the milestone of Five Billion Day (July 11, 1987) — marking the point when global population reached 5 billion.

Origin and Historical Background

Founded by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
First observed: July 11, 1989
Inspiration: Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987 — when the world hit the 5 billion population mark

This observance was initiated to draw global attention toward the urgency of population-related challenges and the need for sustainable solutions.

Theme of World Population Day 2025

Theme: “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.”

This year’s theme focuses on the world’s largest-ever generation of youth, advocating for their right to make informed reproductive choices, access to education, healthcare, and opportunities. The message is clear: young people must be at the centre of population-related discussions, as they are key to achieving global goals like gender equality, health, and sustainable development.

Objectives of World Population Day 2025

The key objectives behind this year’s observance are,

To raise awareness about the impact of population growth on economic, social, and environmental fronts.
To promote reproductive health and rights, especially among youth and women.
To push for gender equality, empowering women to make informed family decisions.
To align with and promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Global Population Trends and Data (2025 & Beyond)

Current global population (2025): Over 8.1 billion
Projected by 2030: 8.5 billion
Projected by 2050: 9.7 billion

Key milestones,

1 billion in the 1800s
7 billion in 2011
Urbanisation: Since 2007, more people live in urban areas than rural ones. By 2050, 66% of the global population will be urban dwellers.

India: Now the Most Populous Country

India’s population in 2025: 1.46 billion, surpassing China (1.41 billion)
This demographic shift places India at the centre of global policy discussions on employment, education, urban planning, and youth development.
It calls for urgent reforms in reproductive healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and social services.

Top 10 Most Populous Countries (2025)

Rank	Country	Population
1	India	1,463,865,525
2	China	1,416,096,094
3	United States	347,275,807
4	Indonesia	285,721,236
5	Pakistan	255,219,554
6	Nigeria	237,527,782
7	Brazil	212,812,405
8	Bangladesh	175,686,899
9	Russia	143,997,393
10	Ethiopia	135,472,051

Population Density in 2025: Crowding Concerns

High density affects housing, transport, environment, and health infrastructure. Top 5 most densely populated countries/territories,

Rank	Country/Territory	Density (people/km²)`
1	Macau	21,946
2	Monaco	19,171
3	Singapore	8,177
4	Hong Kong	7,044
5	Gibraltar	5,901

Population in Indian States: Snapshot from 2011 Census

Rank	State	Population
1	Uttar Pradesh	199.8 million
2	Maharashtra	112.4 million
3	Bihar	104.1 million
4	West Bengal	91.2 million
5	Madhya Pradesh	72.6 million

Most populous state in 2025: Uttar Pradesh – 241 million
Least populous state in 2025: Sikkim – approx. 703,000

This disparity calls for region-specific policy formulation and better resource distribution.

Challenges Facing the Youth (2025)

Despite a decline in global fertility, millions still lack reproductive autonomy, especially in developing countries. Challenges include,

Economic instability
Healthcare inaccessibility
Climate anxiety
Limited education and job opportunities
Socio-political unrest

According to UNFPA, about 20% of adults fear they cannot have their desired number of children.

Why World Population Day 2025 Matters

This day is a call to,

Empower the youth with education and choices
Ensure universal access to reproductive healthcare
Promote gender equality
Prepare for future urbanisation and ageing societies
Plan for sustainable resource management

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

Haryana is a state in northern India that has many districts. Some of these district names are long, while others are short and easy to say. Each district has its own special history, culture and importance. One district in Haryana has the shortest name among all, making it stand out in a unique way. In this article, we will learn about that district and some interesting facts about it.

An Overview of Haryana

Haryana is a state in northwestern India. It was formed on 1 November 1966 after Punjab was divided based on language. The capital is Chandigarh, which it shares with Punjab. Faridabad is the largest city and Gurgaon is a big financial and tech hub. Haryana has 22 districts, 6 divisions, many towns, villages and local bodies that help in its administration and development.

Number of Districts in Haryana

Haryana has a total of 22 districts. It is divided into 6 administrative divisions. The state also has 72 sub-divisions, 93 tehsils, 50 sub-tehsils, 140 development blocks, 154 cities and towns, 7,356 villages and 6,222 village panchayats for local governance.

District with the Shortest Name in Haryana

Nuh is the district with the shortest name in Haryana. It has only three letters in its name. Earlier, it was known as Mewat district but was renamed as Nuh in 2016. Nuh is part of the National Capital Region and is known for its rich history, culture and salt production during the Mughal period.

Number of Letters in Nuh District

The name ‘‘Nuh” has only three letters, making it the shortest district name in Haryana. No other district in the state has a name this short. It is easy to spell and remember.

An Overview of Nuh District

Nuh district, earlier called Mewat, is one of Haryana’s 22 districts. It lies in the National Capital Region and has the highest Muslim population in the state. Covering 1,860 sq. km, it had a population of 1.09 million in 2011. It borders Gurugram, Palwal and parts of Rajasthan. Nuh has four sub-divisions: Nuh, Ferozpur Jhirka, Punahana and Taoru.

Harsh Malhotra Opens India Energy Storage Week 2025

India Energy Storage Week 2025 began with a special session in Delhi on July 10, 2025, where Minister of State Harsh Malhotra highlighted India’s strong push toward green mobility and electric vehicles (EVs). Speaking at Yashobhoomi, he explained how the government’s schemes and policies are helping India move toward a cleaner and more sustainable transport future.

India Committed to Green and Clean Mobility

At the opening of the session on India’s Roadmap for Vehicle Electrification, MoS Harsh Malhotra underlined the Modi government’s commitment to supporting eco-friendly transport. He said that schemes like PM e-Drive and FAME-II are helping in the development of a strong EV manufacturing ecosystem in India. The aim is to reduce pollution, promote clean energy, and make public transport better for everyone.

India’s Fast Growth and EV-friendly Policies

The Minister proudly stated that India is the fastest-growing major economy and is on the right track in its clean mobility mission. He also spoke about other helpful policies such as EV retrofitting rules and toll tax exemptions for electric vehicles. These steps are making electric transport affordable and accessible to common people and businesses.

Logistics Parks and Renewable Energy Goals

Shri Malhotra also highlighted the work being done to set up Multi-Modal Logistics Parks by the Ministry of Roads, Transport & Highways. These parks will combine road, rail, and storage facilities and will now include green energy features and EV charging infrastructure. This will cut down logistics costs, reduce pollution, and boost India’s image as a green transport hub.

Future Plans: Battery Tech and Net Zero Target

The Minister encouraged the EV industry to focus on local manufacturing, battery recycling, and innovation. He emphasized the importance of developing battery storage systems that fit India’s weather and road needs. He also reminded everyone that the nation is working hard to meet the Net Zero carbon target by 2070, a key goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government also plans to generate 500GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Trade and Development Foresights 2025 – UNCTAD Report

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published its annual report titled “Trade and Development Foresights 2025: Under Pressure – Uncertainty Reshapes Global Economic Prospects”. This report, updated as of April 2025, provides a deep dive into the current and projected state of the global economy, analyzing trends in growth, financial conditions, trade, and development challenges. The insights in this article are directly sourced from the report and are crafted specifically to benefit aspirants of government exams such as UPSC, RBI Grade B, SSC, and others.

Global Economic Outlook in 2025

Slowdown in Global Growth

UNCTAD predicts that global economic growth will fall to 2.3% in 2025, down from 2.8% in 2024, indicating a move toward a recessionary phase. This projected rate is below the 2.5% threshold, which UNCTAD considers a marker of global economic stagnation. The slowdown is attributed to subdued global demand, rising trade barriers, and financial turbulence.

Many regions, including Latin America, Europe, and parts of Asia, are expected to experience slower or stagnant growth.
Growth remains stronger in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South and East Asia due to stronger domestic demand and trade resilience.

Record-High Policy Uncertainty

Economic policy uncertainty, as measured by the Economic Policy Uncertainty Index, is at its highest level in the 21st century. This reflects growing concern over international trade disputes, particularly the implementation of new tariffs by the United States and geopolitical tensions.

Businesses are delaying investments and hiring due to unpredictability.
Policy shifts are making long-term planning increasingly difficult.

Financial Turbulence and Investor Anxiety

Market Volatility and Fear Index

UNCTAD highlights heightened financial volatility using the VIX (Volatility Index), commonly referred to as the “fear index.” This index reached its third-highest level historically, surpassed only during the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic crash.

Investors are highly concerned about a global recession.
Tariff announcements and slowdowns in major economies like the US and EU have triggered sell-offs and risk aversion.

Safe-Haven Investments Surge

In times of uncertainty, investors seek safe assets. As a result:

Gold prices have soared to record highs.
The US dollar and Treasury bonds remain highly sought, despite unusual trends like rising long-term interest rates during periods of monetary easing.

This behavior is fueled by both central banks’ gold purchases and investor concerns over inflation and asset volatility.

Rising Bond Yields and Costlier Borrowing

Despite central banks in Europe and the US initiating rate cuts in late 2024, long-term bond yields are rising due to increased term premiums demanded by investors.

This trend puts upward pressure on global interest rates, impacting borrowers globally.
Developing countries are especially vulnerable, with limited access to affordable credit and increasing debt-servicing costs.

Impact on Developing Economies

High Debt and Tight Financial Conditions

More than half of low-income countries are either in debt distress or at high risk of it.
Tighter global financial conditions mean these nations struggle to raise funds and must divert money from development projects to repay debt.

Resilience Through Regional and South–South Trade

Despite global trade uncertainties, some patterns offer hope:

South–South trade (trade between developing countries) has been increasing steadily, especially led by China.
Intra-Asian trade is growing, accounting for a major share of global economic expansion.
In 2024, East and South Asia contributed over 40% to global economic growth.

India’s Role in the 2025 Global Economic Landscape

Strong Economic Performance and Trade Resilience

India is identified as a key contributor to global growth in 2024 and 2025, along with China and Indonesia.
India’s growing domestic demand and regional trade linkages strengthened its position in global markets.

Export Performance and Services Strength

India saw notable growth in digitally-deliverable services, especially IT and business process outsourcing (BPO).
These services helped buffer the effects of declining global merchandise trade.

Macroeconomic Stability

India maintained relatively stable inflation rates and pursued balanced monetary policies via the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Its foreign exchange reserves and current account balance supported market stability and investor confidence.

Policy Direction and Global Positioning

India is deepening ties through regional trade agreements.
The country is leveraging its tech-enabled service sector and youthful workforce to expand its economic footprint.

Trade Trends and Policy Challenges

Shrinking Merchandise Trade

The brief spike in global trade during late 2024 and early 2025 was largely due to pre-emptive stockpiling before anticipated tariff hikes.

Since April 2025, a sharp decline is underway due to trade tensions.
Trade indicators like the Baltic Dry Index and Shanghai Freight Index have dropped, signaling lower shipping demand and slower merchandise trade.

Trade in Services Remains Strong

Unlike merchandise trade, services trade has shown resilience, particularly in digital sectors.

Developing countries like Indonesia and Mauritius have reported strong growth in computer and IT services exports.
Latin American countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Peru recorded over 20% growth in service exports.

These digitally-deliverable services offer a crucial lifeline for economies facing trade headwinds in goo

Fiscal Policy and Military Spending

Shift from Social Spending to Defence

Many G7 nations are redirecting fiscal resources from social sectors to military budgets:

The UK plans to raise military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.
Germany, France, and Italy are also increasing defence expenditures.
The EU announced an €800 billion Rearm Europe plan, focusing on strategic infrastructure.

This trend risks undermining global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in health, education, and climate.

Decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA)

ODA to developing countries is expected to decline by 18% between 2023 and 2025.
Aid for economic infrastructure has fallen, while humanitarian aid has increased.
Programmable aid—crucial for planning and implementation—has dropped significantly, limiting developing countries’ ability to design long-term strategies.

Capital Flows and Public Debt

Investor Caution and Reduced Private Flows

Emerging markets are witnessing lower capital inflows, especially after the US announced new tariffs.
Yields on frontier market bonds have plateaued at high levels (around 8%) and increased by another 150 basis points after April’s policy changes.

Public Debt Pressures

Countries like Argentina, Egypt, Nigeria, and Türkiye, despite recent reforms, are under financial strain.

Rising global bond yields mean developing countries must pay more to borrow.
This reduces available resources for social and development programs.

Top-5 Makhana Exporting Countries in the World in 2025, Know About Them

Makhana, also called fox nuts or lotus seeds, is a healthy food that many people enjoy as a snack. It is light, crunchy and full of nutrients like protein, fiber and calcium. Because of its growing popularity, many countries have started sending makhana to other parts of the world. In this article, we will learn about the top-5 five countries that export makhana the most.

Makhana Production in the World

The total production of Makhana (also known as fox nuts) in the world is around 40,000 metric tons. India produces the largest share of this amount. Most of the makhana farming happens in India, especially the state of Bihar, making it the leading country in global makhana production.

Top-5 Makhana Exporting Countries in the World in 2025

Makhana is also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds. It is a healthy snack loved around the world. Many countries are now exporting makhana, but a few countries lead this trade globally.

Here are the names of top-5 makhana exporting countries in the world in 2025:

India
Nepal
China
Thailand
Bangladesh

India, World’s Largest Makhana Exporter

India is the number one exporter of makhana in the world. In 2025, India exposed about 25,130 tonnes which is more than 90% of the total global exports. The state of Bihar is the main center of makhana farming. Countries like USA, Canada and UAE are the top importers of Indian makhana.

Nepal

Nepal comes second with around 2,000 tonnes of makhana exports. The country mainly grows makhana in the Terai region. Most of Nepal’s exports go to India and Gulf countries. Although the volume is smaller, it is slowly increasing every year.

China

China exported about 1,500 tonnes of makhana in 2025. In China, makhana is used mostly in traditional medicine. The exports are mainly sent to East Asian countries. China’s share is small but important due to its health-based use.

Thailand

Thailand exported around 1,200 tonnes in 2025. It is known for selling makhana-based snacks and health food products. Thailand is expanding its market in Southeast Asia and Australia. The country sees makhana as a healthy and trendy product.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh exported about 1,000 tonnes of makhana in 2025. It mainly sends makhana to India and the Middle East. The country is working to improve quality and increase its production to compete better in global markets.

In Which State is Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary Located?

India is home to many beautiful wildlife sanctuaries that help protect animals, birds and nature. One such sanctuary is known for its peaceful surroundings, green forests and rare animals. It is especially famous for being a safe home to the golden langur, a rare and beautiful monkey. This sanctuary is also a great place for birdwatchers and nature lovers to explore and enjoy.

Location of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Indian state of Assam. It lies mainly in the Kokrajhar district and partly in the Dhubri district. This sanctuary is especially important because it is the second protected home in India for the rare and endangered golden langur. These beautiful monkeys are only found in a few places, and Chakrashila is one of their safe habitats.

History of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

The history of Chakrashila goes back to 1966, when it was first declared a reserve forest. Later, on 14 July 1994, it was given the status of a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of Assam. This change happened thanks to the efforts of a local environmental group called Nature’s Beckon. The group worked hard to raise awareness and protect the area’s rich wildlife.

Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary – Area and Location

Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of about 45.568 square kilometers. It is located just 6 kilometers from Kokrajhar town, 68 kilometers frmo Dhubri town and 219 km from the Guwahati International Airport. The sanctuary has a hilly landscape, and two important lakes, Dheer Beel and Diplai Beel, are found nearby. These lakes are essential to the sanctuary’s ecosystem. The lower hills have sal trees, while the middle and upper parts are covered with mixed deciduous forests.

Tourism and Visitor Facilities

For visitors, the sanctuary offers many exciting activities like bird watching, forest trekking and nature photography. There are also places to stay near Choraikhola in Kokrajhar, making it easier for tourists to explore the area and enjoy the natural beauty.

Wildlife in the Sanctuary

Many different animals live in Chakrashila. Apart from the golden langur, the sanctuary is home to animals like the Indian short-tailed mole, Indian flying fox, Chinese pangolin, Bengali fox and various types of bats and monkeys. Hornbills are also seen here, along with 23 kinds of reptiles such as snakes, turtles and lizards. The sanctuary is also home to more than 40 species of butterflies.

New Tree Species Found in Assam Named After Botanist’s Mother

A new tree species named Garcinia kusumae has been discovered in Assam’s Baksa district. The tree, part of the Garcinia genus, was found by Jatindra Sarma, a senior botanist, and is named in memory of his late mother Kusum Devi. This discovery is important as it adds to India’s botanical diversity and highlights Assam’s rich plant heritage.

Discovery in Assam’s Forests

The species was found during a plant survey in April 2025 in Bamunbari, Baksa district, Assam. Botanist Jatindra Sarma, who is the Chairman of Assam’s State Expert Appraisal Committee, collected the sample of this tree, locally called thoikora. The plant was studied carefully using herbarium methods like drying and pressing. After identifying its special features, it was confirmed as a new species.

Named in Honour of His Mother

The tree has been named Garcinia kusumae to honour Mr. Sarma’s mother, Kusum Devi. This is the fourth time Mr. Sarma has named a new plant after a family member. Earlier, he named plants after his daughter, wife, and father. This makes him the first Indian botanist to name four different species after his close relatives.

Unique Features and Local Use

Garcinia kusumae is a tall evergreen tree that grows up to 18 metres. It flowers between February and April, and its fruits ripen from May to June. The plant looks similar to other Garcinia trees but has different flower and fruit features. The fruit has a black resin and is used in local food and medicine. People use the dried pulp to make a cooling drink or mix it with fish curries. It is also believed to help with diabetes and dysentery.

Published in a Global Journal

The findings were published in Feddes Repertorium, an international journal on plant taxonomy. Hussain A. Barbhuiya from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, co-authored the study with Mr. Sarma. Assam is home to 12 Garcinia species and 3 varieties, out of the 33 species found in India. This discovery shows how Assam continues to be a hotspot for new plant species.

Andhra Pradesh Launches Digi-Lakshmi to Empower Urban Women

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has started a new scheme called ‘Digi-Lakshmi’ on June 30, 2025, to help urban poor women become digital service providers. The State plans to set up 9,034 Common Service Centres (CSCs) across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). This is an important step to promote digital jobs and women-led businesses.

What is the Digi-Lakshmi Scheme?

The Digi-Lakshmi scheme is designed to help women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) become small business owners. These women will run digital kiosks, called ATOM Kiosks, which will offer nearly 250 public services like bill payments, certificates, and applications for various schemes. This scheme is part of the larger plan called ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ (OF-OE) which aims to support women in becoming entrepreneurs.

Who Can Run These Centres?

To manage these service centres, women must meet certain conditions,

Be aged between 21 and 40 years
Be married and settled in their area
Have been an active SHG member for at least 3 years
Hold a graduate degree and have basic technical knowledge

Each woman will receive training and support from the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA). They can also take loans between ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh to set up the centres.

Government Involvement and Future Plans

The scheme was officially launched by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department. The order (G.O. MS. No. 117) was issued by S. Suresh Kumar, the Principal Secretary. The Mission Director of MEPMA will take charge of running the scheme. These centres will not only provide services to the public but also create digital job opportunities for urban poor women.

The plan is to make SHG women self-reliant and promote women-led small businesses in cities and towns across Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh Launches Smart AI System to Fight Mosquitoes

The Andhra Pradesh government has started a new project to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, especially during the rainy season. The project, called Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS), uses artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology. It will first begin in six major cities. This move is important because thousands of people get sick every year from these diseases.

Smart Technology to Stop Mosquitoes

The new SMoSS system will use AI-powered mosquito sensors, drones, and IoT devices to check where and how many mosquitoes are present. These smart tools will also record important things like temperature, humidity, and the types of mosquitoes. This information will help the government spray mosquito medicine only where it is really needed, instead of spraying everywhere.

Where the Project Will Begin

The pilot project will start in 66 areas across six cities,

Visakhapatnam (16 places)
Vijayawada (28 places)
Kakinada (4 places)
Rajamahendravaram (5 places)
Nellore (7 places)
Kurnool (6 places)

These cities have seen many cases of dengue and malaria, with over 5,500 dengue cases in 2024. Using SMoSS, teams can now act faster by spraying or fogging only where mosquitoes are found.

Smart Drones, Apps, and Hospitals Working Together

Drones will help spray larvicide quickly and with less use of chemicals. A central dashboard will keep track of all the field activities. There will also be help from mobile apps like Vector Control and Puramitra, where both workers and local people can report mosquito issues.

Hospitals will also play a big role by sending daily updates on disease cases. This will help the system mark hotspots and prepare local action plans. The state plans to give the system’s operation to special agencies and pay them based on their performance.

A Step Towards a Healthier Future

This project is led by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department. It shows how AI and smart city tools can help make public health better. Andhra Pradesh could become a role model for other Indian states if the project works well.