States and Capitals

Featured

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.

Antarctic Summer Sea Ice Hits Record Lows

New research has confirmed that Antarctica’s summer sea ice is melting at record levels. This change, observed over the past few years, is warming the ocean, damaging ecosystems, and risking long-term climate effects. Scientists warn that these changes could seriously harm both the planet and people.

What the Study Found

A large team of scientists, including Edward Doddridge from the University of Tasmania, studied the sea ice loss using satellites, ocean robots, and computer models. Their findings, based on years of data and new missions to Antarctica, show that the loss of summer sea ice is more serious than expected. The researchers explored how this loss affects the climate, ocean temperatures, marine life, and even supply missions to Antarctica.

Ocean Heating Is Getting Worse

One major problem is that sea ice reflects sunlight. When it melts, more dark ocean water is exposed, which absorbs heat. This makes the ocean warmer each year. Before 2016, the ocean would cool down again in winter, but now, that cooling is not happening as much. The heat is staying in the water, causing a cycle of continued warming. According to models, the ocean now takes about three years to recover from low ice years – but with rising temperatures, recovery is becoming rare.

Impact on Nature and Ecosystems

The melting ice is not just about temperature. Sea ice supports tiny plants at the bottom of the marine food web, which in turn support fish, birds, and seals. When the ice disappears, these plants have trouble growing, affecting the whole food chain. The loss of ice also exposes the Antarctic coast to stronger ocean waves, increasing iceberg break-offs and changing coastlines.

Supply Missions and Global Concerns

Reports from Antarctic supply missions showed that resupply ships are facing new challenges. Some areas, previously blocked by ice, are now open – but this also brings rougher seas and more dangerous conditions. Experts say this is another sign of how fast the region is changing. The team hopes their findings will push world leaders to act faster on climate change.

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82

Muhammadu Buhari, former President of Nigeria and one-time military ruler, passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82. He died in a London hospital, where he was being treated for long-term health problems. Buhari played a major role in Nigeria’s political history as both a strict military leader and a democratically elected president.

A Soldier and President

Buhari first came to power in 1983 through a military coup and ruled Nigeria with a firm hand until he was overthrown in 1985. Known for his strong discipline and anti-corruption stance, he led a strict campaign called the “War Against Indiscipline”. This campaign brought soldiers to the streets, made civil servants do exercises if they were late, and enforced harsh punishments for crimes.

After years away from power, he returned to politics and won the 2015 presidential election, defeating Goodluck Jonathan. He was re-elected in 2019, becoming one of Nigeria’s few leaders to serve both as a military and civilian head of state.

Struggles and Legacy

Though he promised to fight corruption and terrorism, especially the Boko Haram insurgency, Buhari’s two terms saw growing economic troubles, rising security issues, and youth protests, such as the #EndSARS movement against police violence. His leadership style was often described as strict, and some critics, like Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka, accused him of being harsh toward the people.

Despite these criticisms, many Nigerians initially supported him, hoping his disciplined style could bring change. His supporters believed he stood for order and honesty, especially compared to past corrupt regimes.

New Butterfly Species Found in Kerala’s Western Ghats

A team of Indian scientists has discovered a new butterfly species named Zographetus mathewi in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The butterfly, found in low-elevation forests, is unique to this region and adds to India’s rich wildlife diversity. This rare discovery highlights the importance of studying and protecting the Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.

Discovery and Scientific Study

The butterfly was discovered by experts from the Travancore Nature History Society, the Institute of Tropical Research, Ecology and Conservation, and the Zoological Survey of India. At first, scientists thought it was a known species called Zographetus ogygia. However, after closely studying its wing patterns and genital structures, they confirmed it as a new species. The detailed research was published in the journal Entomon.

Naming and Features

This newly found species, Zographetus mathewi, is the 15th in its genus and the fifth found in India. It belongs to the Zographetus satwa group, known for its special wing features and male traits. The butterfly is named in honour of George Mathew, a respected Indian entomologist. Its common name is the Sahyadri Spotted Flitter, referring to the local name for the Western Ghats—Sahyadri.

Appearance and Habitat

The butterfly is known for its yellow-ochre hindwing, hairy forewings, and swollen forewing veins in males. These features make it different from other similar butterflies. It lives in forests below 600 metres in Kerala. Its larvae feed on a legume vine called Aganope thyrsiflora. While adult butterflies are rare to spot, scientists found several larvae and pupae in places like Kallar, Shendurney, Edamalayar, and Nilambur, showing that it may be more common than previously thought.

Importance of the Discovery

The discovery of Zographetus mathewi shows the hidden biodiversity in the Western Ghats and underlines the need to protect these low-elevation forests. It also highlights the importance of detailed field research and scientific observation in identifying new species. Such findings can help boost conservation efforts and increase awareness about protecting rare wildlife.

B. Saroja Devi Biography, Know About Her Early Life, Age, Career and Legacy

Bangalore Saroja Devi was one of India’s most beloved and successful film actresses. She ruled the film industry for nearly seven decades, appearing in about 200 films across Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi languages. Known for her beauty, expressions and grace, she earned titles like ”Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Goddess of Acting) in Kannada and ”Kannadathu Paingili” (Kannada’s Parrot) in Tamil.

B. Saroja Devi – Early life and Background

Bon: 7 January 1938 in Bangalore, Mysore State (now Bengaluru, Karnataka)
Family: Vokkaliga community; her father Bhairappa was a police officer and mother Rudramma was a homemaker.
Childhood: Encouraged by her father to learn dance and later acting. Her mother had strict rules about her on-screen dress, which Saroja Devi followed throughout her career.

First Step in Cinema

Saroja Devi was first noticed at the age of 13 while singing at a function. Though she turned down the initial film offer, she later entered films with the Kannada movie Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), which became a big success.

Rise to Stardom

Her breakthrough in Tamil cinema came with M.G. Ramachandran’s (MGR) Nadodi Mannan (1958). She was soon cast in Hindi films too, debuting with Paigham (1959) opposite Dilip Kumar.

Over the years, she acted with top stars like:

MGR (26 films together)
Sivaji Ganesan (22 films)
Gemini Ganesan (17 films)
N.T. Rama Rao in Telugu cinema
Rajkumar in Kannada cinema

Multi-Lingual Success

Saroja Devi was one of the few actresses to work across all four major South Indian languages and Hindi during the 1950s and 60s. She was crowned ”Chaturbhaasha Taare” (Star of Four Languages) in 1962.

Some of her iconic films include:

Palum Pazhamum, Enga Veettu Pillai, Anbe Vaa (Tamil)
Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Kittooru Rani Chennamma, Mallammana Pavada (Kannada)
Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Seetarama Kalyanam, Daana Veera Soora Karna (Telugu)
Paigham, Sasural, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Hindi)

Fashion and Cultural Icon

In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a style inspiration for South Indian women. Her saris, blouses, hairstyles and jewellery from films like Enga Veettu Pillai and Anbe Vaa were widely copied.

Life After Marriage

She married Sri Harsha, an engineer, in 1967. He supported her acting career and helped her during a financial crisis. Despite her marriage, she continued acting, though her Tamil film appearances reduced due to the arrival of newer heroines.

She continued to dominate Kannada and Telugu cinema in lead roles into the 1980s.

Later Years and Retirement

After her husband’s death in 1986, she briefly stepped away from films. She returned in the late 1980s, but no longer player romantic roles.

Her later works include:

Once More (1997) with Sivaji Ganesan
Anuraga Sangama (1995) and Agni IPS (1997) in Kannada
Aadhavan (2009) – her last major Tamil film
Natasaarvabhowma (2019) – her final film

Saroja Devi – Work Beyond Acting

Saroja Devi was actively involved in:

Social service and charity
Chairing National Film Award juries in 1998 and 2005
Vice-president of Kannada Chalanchitra Sangha
Chairperson of Karnataka Film Development Corporation

She also ran a business and sponsored the Bhuvaneshwari Literacy Award in memory of her adopted daughter.

Personal Life of Saroja Devi

Husband: Sri Harsha (d. 1986)
Daughter: Bhuvaneshwari (adopted niece; died young)
Grandchildren: Indira and Gautam

Saroja Devi – Awards and Honors

National Awards

Padma Shri (1969)
Padma Bhushan (1992)
Lifetime Achievement (2008) – Government of India

State Awards

Kalaimamani (2009) – Tamil Nadu
Dr. Rajkumar Award (2009) – Karnataka
NTR National Awards (2001 & 2009) – Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu State Film Award (1969)

Other Recognitions

Filmfare Lifetime Achievement – South (1994)
Honorary Doctorate – Bangalore University (2006)
Prajavani Cine Sammana Lifetime Award (2024)

Legacy of B. Saroja Devi

In 2010, the ”Padma Bhushan B. Saroja Devi National Award’‘ was created to honor artists in performing arts. Recipients include K.J. Yesudas, Vyjayantimala and Ambareesh.

She was portrayed by Regina Cassandra in the 2021 biographical film Thalaivii.

Death of Saroja Devi

B. Saroja Devi passed away on 14 July 2025, leaving behind a glorious legacy that will inspire generations of actors and film lovers.

Legendary Actress B. Saroja Devi Passes Away at 87

Legendary South Indian actress B. Saroja Devi passed away at the age of 87 in Bengaluru on July 14, 2025. She was undergoing treatment for age-related health issues at Manipal Hospital in Yeshwanthpur. Her passing marks the end of an era in Telugu and Indian cinema, where she left a powerful legacy through her performances.

A Star of South Indian Cinema

B. Saroja Devi was a leading actress in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi cinema from the 1950s to the 1970s. She appeared in over 190 films and was celebrated for her beauty, versatile acting, and graceful screen presence. She was considered one of the most iconic heroines of the golden era of Indian cinema.

Her contribution to Indian cinema earned her several prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India, recognizing her lifetime achievement in films.

Health Issues and Demise

For the past few months, Saroja Devi had been suffering from age-related health problems. Her condition worsened in recent days, and she breathed her last on Sunday, July 14, at Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. Family members, close relatives, and members of the film industry were present when she passed away.

A Legacy That Will Live On

B. Saroja Devi was more than a film star—she was a symbol of elegance and dignity in Indian cinema. Her work inspired many young actors and is still cherished by fans today. Her roles in films during the mid-20th century left a mark that continues to influence the film industry.

Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 83

Veteran Telugu actor and former Andhra Pradesh MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at the age of 83. He breathed his last on July 13, 2025, after a life dedicated to cinema, theatre, and public service. His death marks the end of an era in Indian cinema, where he acted in over 750 films across multiple languages.

Early Life and Entry into Tollywood

Kota Srinivasa Rao was born in 1942 in Kankipadu, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. He worked at the State Bank of India (SBI) but had a deep love for theatre since his college days. In 1978, he made his debut in the Telugu film Pranam Khareedu. Starting with comedy and character roles, he later became famous for playing powerful villain roles.

Career and Achievements in Film

Rao appeared in over 750 films, including 8 Kannada, 30 Tamil, 10 Hindi, and 1 Malayalam movie. Some of his popular films include Pratigatana, Aha Naa Pellanta!, Sarkar, Shiva, Attarintiki Daredi, Leader, and Bommarillu. His last film appearance was in Suvarna Sundari (2023). He also sang songs in a few Telugu films. Rao won nine Nandi Awards for his excellent performances.

In 2015, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Political Journey

In 1999, Kota entered politics and was elected as an MLA from Vijayawada East on a BJP ticket. He served in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly till 2004. Though his political career was brief, he remained active in social issues and public welfare.

MI New York Win Second MLC Title After Stunning Comeback

MI New York pulled off an incredible turnaround to win the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) title by defeating Washington Freedom by 5 runs in a thrilling final held on July 14 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. After a poor start to the season, MI New York’s comeback is being called one of the most remarkable in franchise cricket history.

A Final to Remember

Chasing 181 runs, Washington Freedom fell short by just 5 runs, thanks to a brilliant final over from 22-year-old Rushil Ugarkar, who held his nerve against big hitters Glenn Phillips and Glenn Maxwell. Freedom needed 12 runs off the last over, but tight bowling and a crucial catch by Michael Bracewell sealed the win for MI New York.

Freedom had a shaky start, losing two wickets in the first over to Trent Boult. A strong 84-run stand between Rachin Ravindra (70) and Jack Edwards (33) brought them back into the game. However, regular wickets slowed their momentum, and they could not finish the chase.

De Kock Shines with the Bat

Earlier, Quinton de Kock was the star with the bat for MI New York, scoring a fluent 77 off 46 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. He shared a 72-run opening partnership with Monank Patel (28). After a few quick wickets, Nicholas Pooran (22) and de Kock steadied the innings with a 56-run stand. Late fireworks from Kunwarjeet Singh (22* off 13) helped the team post 180/7.

Lockie Ferguson was the best bowler for Washington, picking up 3 wickets for 24 runs, including the big scalps of de Kock and Kieron Pollard in the same over.

A Season of Comeback

MI New York had a terrible start to the season, losing 6 of their first 7 games. But under the leadership of Nicholas Pooran, the team bounced back, won key matches, and made it to the final. Their victory shows how determination and teamwork can turn things around, even after a bad start.

Byrnihat, Delhi Most Polluted Cities in First Half of 2025

A new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that Byrnihat, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, was the most polluted city in India from January to June 2025, with Delhi following closely behind. The study is based on air quality data from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) across 293 Indian cities. The report highlights serious concerns about air pollution, especially in urban areas.

Report Highlights: Top Polluted Cities

According to the report, Byrnihat recorded an average PM 2.5 level of 133 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3), far exceeding the national safe limit of 40 ug/m3. Delhi followed with an average of 87 ug/m3, ranking it as the second most polluted city in the country.

Other highly polluted cities included Hajipur (Bihar), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), and Gurgaon (Haryana). The report also listed Sasaram, Patna, and Rajgir in Bihar, as well as Talcher and Rourkela in Odisha among the top 10 most polluted cities.

What is PM 2.5 and Why It Matters

PM 2.5 refers to tiny air particles that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in size. These particles can go deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues such as asthma, heart disease, and respiratory infections. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) recommend a safe level of 40 ug/m3 for PM 2.5, but many cities have far exceeded this limit.

Data Source and Monitoring Details

The CREA study used data from CAAQMS, which monitor air quality in 293 cities. Of these,

122 cities exceeded India’s national air quality standards.
117 cities stayed within the safe limit.
259 cities had already crossed the yearly PM 2.5 limit by June, indicating they will likely remain in the unsafe zone for the rest of the year.
Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), 131 cities are being monitored, and 98 of them have CAAQMS installed.

Cleanest Cities in India

On the brighter side, Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, was named the cleanest city with an average PM 2.5 level of 8 ug/m3, though still slightly above the World Health Organization (WHO) safe level of 5 ug/m3.

Other clean cities included,

Tirupur and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu
Bareilly and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh
Maihar in Madhya Pradesh
Imphal in Manipur
Chamrajanagar and Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka

France Grants More Autonomy to New Caledonia

France and New Caledonia announced a new agreement that gives the Pacific territory more powers while keeping it part of France. This move comes after violent protests in 2024 and is seen as a major step to ease tensions between supporters and opponents of independence. The agreement proposes to create a “State of New Caledonia” within the French Republic.

A New State Within France

The agreement, shared by President Emmanuel Macron, will give New Caledonia a new status as a state within France. It will be included in the French Constitution, and other countries will be allowed to officially recognize the state. This is a compromise solution that offers greater autonomy without full independence.

The deal still needs approval from both the French Parliament and the people of New Caledonia through a referendum. Macron called it “a bet on trust,” showing hope that both sides—pro-independence and anti-independence—can now move forward peacefully.

Background: Protests and Tensions

In 2024, New Caledonia witnessed deadly riots over a proposed constitutional change. The change would have allowed more recent French arrivals to vote, which Indigenous Kanak groups feared would reduce their chances of achieving independence. The protests resulted in seven deaths, many injuries, and heavy economic losses.

The area is also strategically important for France, as it holds rich nickel reserves and plays a key role in the Indo-Pacific region, especially as China grows its influence.

What the Agreement Includes

The agreement would,

Create a New Caledonian nationality, in addition to French nationality.

Allow dual nationality for those living in the territory.

Grant New Caledonian nationality to French citizens living there for more than 10 years.

This clause addresses the core concern from the 2024 protests—voting rights for newcomers. It tries to protect the rights and identity of Kanak people, who make up about 40% of the population.

Past Referendums and Future Steps

New Caledonia held three independence referendums between 2018 and 2021—all voted to stay with France. However, the last vote in 2021 had low turnout due to a boycott by Kanak leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, many Kanak groups have refused to accept the result.

The new agreement now opens the door for a fresh referendum, which may finally settle the question of the territory’s future relationship with France.

India Launches World’s First Traditional Knowledge Digital Library

India became the first country in the world to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). This important step aims to protect and promote India’s rich traditional medicine systems using modern digital tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI). The World Health Organization (WHO) praised India’s efforts, calling it a big moment for global healthcare innovation.

A New Digital Step in Traditional Medicine

India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a first-of-its-kind online platform that collects and preserves ancient knowledge from systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and Homoeopathy. It uses AI-based tools to organize and understand old texts and practices, making this knowledge easier to access and apply in today’s healthcare system.

The library is designed to stop the misuse of India’s traditional medicine and support scientific research. It can also help develop new medicines by studying the effects of age-old remedies in a modern scientific way.

WHO Recognizes India’s Use of AI in Ayush

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report titled Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine, which praises India for using AI to modernize traditional medicine. The report includes examples of AI applications like pulse reading, tongue analysis, and Prakriti assessment using machine learning.

One key development mentioned is Ayurgenomics, a new area that combines genomics with Ayurveda to give personalized health advice. AI is also being used to find new uses for herbal medicines in treating modern diseases.

Government Leaders and Global Vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has supported the use of AI for social good, especially in health. At the GPAI Summit in 2023, he shared India’s vision of “AI for all.” The Ministry of Ayush also shared how India’s scientists are working to bring together modern technology and traditional wisdom.

Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said that India’s work shows a strong commitment to innovation and improving global healthcare through a balanced mix of old and new systems.

What This Means for the World

The TKDL and India’s AI work in traditional medicine have become a global example of how to protect and grow ancient knowledge. AI is helping India compare its own systems like Ayurveda with others like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These efforts are also leading to the development of tools like artificial sensors that can measure traditional qualities like Rasa, Guna, and Virya.

WHO also praised India’s digital platforms for online consultations, support for Ayush practitioners, and efforts to connect traditional and modern healthcare systems.