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.

Srihari LR Becomes India’s 86th Chess Grandmaster

India has earned its 86th chess Grandmaster, as 19-year-old Srihari LR from Chennai secured his third and final Grandmaster norm at the Asian Individual Men’s Chess Championship held in Al-Ain, UAE. With this feat, India continues to solidify its status as a rising chess powerhouse.

Why in News?

Srihari LR’s confirmation as a Grandmaster comes 368 days after India’s 85th GM title was achieved by Shyaamnikhil P. His achievement marks a significant milestone in Indian chess and reflects the consistent grooming of young talent in the country.

Background & Journey

Srihari LR hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
He is trained at Chess Thulir Academy, under the mentorship of GM Shyamsundar.

He earned

First GM norm at Qatar Masters 2023
Second GM norm at Chennai GM Open 2024
Third GM norm at Asian Individual Championship 2025 (Al-Ain, UAE)
Crossed the mandatory 2500 Elo rating in August 2024.

Al-Ain Championship Performance

Faced 8 Grandmasters in 9 rounds.
Remained unbeaten in the first 8 rounds.
Beat GMs like Abhijeet Gupta and Pranav V.

Drew against top GMs including,

AR Saleh Salem (UAE)
Xu Xiangyu (China)
Aleksey Grebnev (FIDE)

Coaching & Mentorship

His coach, Shyamsundar, has also mentored Pranav V, the current World Junior Champion.
This makes Srihari the 2nd player from Chess Thulir to become a Grandmaster.

Significance

India now has 86 Grandmasters.
The journey from the 1st GM Viswanathan Anand (1988) to today shows remarkable growth:
1988–2013: 35 GMs in 25 years.
2013–2025: 51 GMs in just 12 years.
Reflects the rising dominance of India in global chess.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Srihari LR Becomes India’s 86th Chess Grandmaster
Player	Srihari LR
Age	19
Hometown	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Title Earned	Grandmaster (GM)
Event	Asian Individual Men’s Chess Championship
Final Norm Achieved	Against GM Iniyan Paneerselvam
Coach	GM Shyamsundar (Chess Thulir Academy)
India’s GM Count (Post Srihari)	86

ICC Boosts Test Cricket with Doubling of WTC Final Prize Pool

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record USD 3.6 million prize for the winners of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023-25, which will be played between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s, starting June 11, 2025. This prize pool marks more than double the amount awarded in previous editions, showcasing the ICC’s intent to elevate the prestige of Test cricket in the modern era.

Why in News?

The WTC final is set to be the most lucrative Test match in history, with a significant increase in prize money for winners, runners-up, and even mid-table teams. With South Africa finishing top of the table and Australia narrowly edging India for second place, the upcoming final carries not just prestige but also record financial rewards, highlighting the ICC’s focus on strengthening the traditional format of the game.

Key Highlights

Winners’ Prize: USD 3.6 million
Runners-up: USD 2.1 million+
Third-place (India): Over USD 1.4 million
Fourth-place (New Zealand): USD 1.2 million
Fifth and Sixth: England and Sri Lanka to receive USD 960,000 and USD 840,000, respectively
This is more than double the USD 1.6 million awarded to previous champions (New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023)

Background

The World Test Championship (WTC) was launched in 2019 to add competitive context to Test cricket.
It features the top 9 Test-playing nations, competing over a 2-year cycle to qualify for the final.
South Africa topped the 2023–25 WTC table with 8 wins in 12 matches.
Australia, defending champions, booked their final berth by defeating India 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Objective and Significance

Promote Test cricket amid the growing popularity of T20 leagues.
Encourage competitiveness and viewer engagement in longer formats.
Reward consistent performance across the WTC cycle.
Demonstrates ICC’s commitment to balancing cricket formats by financially incentivizing Test cricket.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	ICC Boosts Test Cricket with Doubling of WTC Final Prize Pool
Event	ICC World Test Championship Final 2023–25
Winner’s Prize Money	USD 3.6 million
Runner-up Prize Money	Over USD 2.1 million
Previous Winner’s Prize	USD 1.6 million
Finalists	South Africa and Australia
Notable Players Mentioned	Kagiso Rabada (SA), Cameron Green (AUS), Pat Cummins, Bavuma

FIFA Lifts Suspension on Congo Republic’s Football Federation

FIFA has officially lifted the suspension imposed on the Republic of Congo’s football federation (FECOFOOT), ending a three-month standoff caused by allegations of third-party interference. The ban, which stemmed from a prolonged dispute between FECOFOOT and the Congolese sports ministry, had disrupted national football operations and led to the closure of key sports facilities, including the federation’s headquarters.

Why in News?

The issue gained global attention after FIFA suspended the Republic of Congo’s football federation in early 2025 due to violations of its policy on third-party interference in national football bodies. The lifting of the suspension signals resolution of the conflict, following compliance with FIFA’s stipulated conditions.

Background and Cause of Suspension

The suspension was imposed due to third-party interference, primarily involving the Ministry of Sports in Congo.
This conflict led to the closure of the national football federation’s headquarters and several sports facilities.
Congolese Sports Minister Hugues Ngouelondele initially denied interference, but sought negotiations with FIFA.

FIFA’s Conditions for Reinstatement

FIFA required that full administrative control be returned to the Congo Football Federation (FECOFOOT).
The government needed to end any direct influence on the federation’s operations.

Current Development

On May 15, 2025, FIFA confirmed that all conditions had been met.
Suspension lifted, enabling Congo to resume full participation in international football activities.

Objectives & Significance

Ensures autonomy of national football federations, a core principle of FIFA.
Restores normalcy in domestic football activities in Congo.
Reinforces FIFA’s stance against political interference in sports governance.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	FIFA Lifts Suspension on Congo Republic’s Football Federation
Country	Republic of Congo
Organization Involved	FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)
Federation Affected	FECOFOOT (Congo Football Federation)
Reason for Suspension	Third-party interference by sports ministry
Suspension Duration	Approximately 3 months (Early 2025 – May 15, 2025)
Resolution	Government complied with FIFA’s autonomy conditions
Key Government Official	Hugues Ngouelondele, Sports Minister

Bhawna Agarwal Appointed as Senior Vice President and MD of HPE India

In a significant leadership announcement, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has appointed Bhawna Agarwal as the new Senior Vice President (SVP) and Managing Director (MD) for its India operations. The transition is effective immediately, according to a statement released by the company on Wednesday.

Agarwal will report directly to Heiko Meyer, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer at HPE, and will be responsible for leading HPE’s business strategy and operations across one of its most critical international markets.

Taking the Baton from a Veteran Leader

Agarwal assumes the role from Som Satsangi, a highly respected industry figure who has served HPE for over 27 years. Satsangi took over as Managing Director of HPE India in 2016 and has been instrumental in expanding the company’s local footprint across enterprise IT, cloud services, and digital infrastructure.

Though retiring from the MD role, Satsangi will continue with HPE until July 2025 to ensure a smooth leadership handover and continued strategic guidance.

Bhawna Agarwal: A Trailblazer in Tech Leadership

Bhawna Agarwal’s appointment reflects her deep industry expertise, business acumen, and forward-looking vision. She joined HPE in 2019 and initially led the Compute Business Unit and Growth Team in India. Over the past year, her responsibilities expanded to include account management and industry verticals, playing a critical role in client engagement and revenue growth.

With more than 25 years of experience across digital startups, media organizations, and consumer technology companies, Agarwal brings a diverse leadership portfolio to the table. Her reputation for driving growth, fostering innovation, and building strong teams aligns with HPE’s ambition to accelerate digital transformation across India.

Strengthening the “Make in India” Commitment

Agarwal’s elevation comes at a strategic moment as HPE deepens its engagement in India under the government’s “Make in India” initiative. In a symbolic gesture earlier this year, Agarwal and Satsangi celebrated the rollout of HPE’s 6001st ‘Made in India’ server, joined by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This milestone reflects the company’s growing local manufacturing and R&D focus.

The company’s increasing investment in India’s tech ecosystem, including edge-to-cloud solutions, AI infrastructure, and enterprise data services, demonstrates HPE’s commitment to contributing to the country’s digital economy.

HPE India: A Key Global Hub

Headquartered in Texas, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, HPE has steadily grown its presence in India to become one of its largest operations outside the U.S. With a strong workforce base, the company has built a robust network across cloud computing, networking, artificial intelligence, and enterprise-grade data platforms.

Under Agarwal’s leadership, HPE India is expected to:

Scale cloud-native innovations
Strengthen local partner ecosystems
Drive forward localized manufacturing and R&D
Enable digital transformation for both public and private sector clients

Strategic Vision for the Future

With India rapidly emerging as a global digital powerhouse, Agarwal’s leadership is expected to usher in a new phase of agility, customer-centric innovation, and inclusive growth at HPE India. Her focus will be on enabling Indian businesses to leverage intelligent edge, cloud technologies, and AI-powered data solutions as they navigate their digital journeys.

As the digital infrastructure landscape evolves, Bhawna Agarwal is poised to position HPE as a catalyst for innovation and a trusted enterprise technology partner for Indian businesses across sectors.

Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2025: Know Date, Time, History and Significance

Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi is a special day to worship Lord Ganesha in his one-tusked form called Ekdanta. In 2025, this festival will be celebrated on Friday, May 16. On this day, people keep a fast and pray to Lord Ganesha to remove problems from their lives. The fast is broken after seeing the moon, which will rise at 10:39 PM on this Sankashti Chaturthi.

Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi 2025 – Date

Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi will be observed on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Chaturthi Tithi begins: 05:01 AM on May 16, 2025
Chaturthi Tithi ends: 06:28 PM on May 17, 2025
Moonrise Time: 10:39 PM on May 16, 2025

Devotees break their fast after seeing the moon at night.

What is Ekdanta Sankashti Chaturthi?

This festival is celebrated on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) during the month of Vaishakha (as per the Amanta calendar) or Jyeshtha (as per the Purnimanta calendar). On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha in the Ekadanta form, known for strength, wisdom and protection from evil.

Why is Lord Ganesha called Ekdanta?

The name Ekdanta comes from a story in Hindu mythology. Once, Lord Parashurama came to see Lord Shiva, but Ganesha stopped him. In anger, Parashurama stuck Ganesha with his axe. To respect the weapon given by his father (Lord Shiva), Ganesha took the hit without resisting. This broke one of his teeth, and he came to be known as Ekdanta (one-toothed).

The Legend of Madasura

As told in the Mudgal Purana, Lord Ganesha took the form of Ekadanta to save the gods from an evil demon named Madasura. Thsi demon was powerful and caused trouble for everyone. But when he saw Lord Ekadanta, he became scared and surrendered. Madasura then left and went to Patala Loka (the underworld) forever.

How to Worship Lord Ganesha on this Day?

Devotees observe a fast on Ekadanta Sankashti and break it only after seeing the moon. Here is a simple way to do the puja:

Wake up early, take a bath and take a vow to fast.
Chant Ganapati Atharvashirsha or other Ganesha mantras.
Offer favorite items of Ganesha like modaks, durva grass and red flowers.
After moonrise at 10:39 PM, offer prayers and recite Ekadanta stotra.
End the fast after seeing the moon and doing the puja.

Spiritual Meaning of Ekadanta Sankashti Chaturthi

Worshipping Lord Ganesha in his Ekadanta form is believed to:

Remove all obstacles from life
Give wisdom and peace
Bring success and happiness

People pray to Ganesha on this day with full faith and devotion to get blessings for a better life.

Who Are the Dongria Kondh? Guardians of Niyamgiri

The Dongria Kondh are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) under India’s constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities. They primarily inhabit the Niyamgiri highlands, which stretch across the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts in the eastern state of Odisha.

Spiritual Worldview

The Dongria Kondh follow a polytheistic animist belief system. In their eyes, the surrounding hills, forests, and trees are not mere natural entities but sacred deities that guide and guard their lives. Their ancestral worship and nature-based spirituality define both their everyday practices and ceremonial traditions.

Language and Script

Aspect	Details
Spoken Language	Kui – an oral Dravidian language, related to Gondi
Native Script	Kui has no native script
Transcription	Sometimes written using the Odia script

Although Kui lacks a formal writing system, it thrives through oral storytelling, folk songs, and ritual chants, preserving generational knowledge.

Physical and Cultural Identity

The Dongria Kondh possess a distinctive appearance that reflects their traditions and identity.

Women’s Attire and Appearance

Wear minimal clothing
Adorned with metallic nose pins
Display body tattoos
Known for long rows of earrings running along the ear rim

Men’s Appearance

Dress in colourful turbans and loincloths
Have traditional tattoos
Often seen participating in ceremonial dances and rituals

Their attire is not only functional for their forested environment but also a symbol of cultural pride.

Livelihood and Agriculture

Farming Practice

The Dongria Kondh traditionally practice Podu cultivation – a form of shifting agriculture that involves clearing small patches of forest land.

Crops Grown

They grow:

Millets
Turmeric
Pineapples
Other local crops suited to the hilly terrain

Forest-Based Economy

Much of their livelihood also depends on the collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), including:

Medicinal herbs
Wild fruits
Honey
Firewood

These resources not only sustain their economy but also tie them to the ecosystem they worship.

Social and Religious Life

Religious Beliefs

The community follows animism, believing in:

Spirits of nature
Ancestral beings
Sacred hills and rivers

Their rituals, dances, and oral traditions are deeply spiritual and form a part of collective community life.

Tribal Sub-Groups

The Dongria Kondh society consists of various clans and sub-groups, such as:

Kovi
Kuttia
Languli
Penga
Jharnia

These clans help define social roles, marriage customs, and traditional authority.

Cultural Expressions

The Dongria Kondh are rich in oral and performative traditions:

Storytelling preserves ancestral wisdom
Song and dance accompany every festival and life event
Rituals connect them to land, spirit, and history

Each expression is a testament to their resilience and self-identity, passed from generation to generation without written records.

DRDO Develops Indigenous Polymeric Membrane for Desalination

In a significant stride towards technological self-reliance, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Kanpur-based lab DMSRDE, has successfully developed a high-pressure nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane for sea water desalination. The innovation caters to operational requirements of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and has already passed initial technical trials onboard an Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV).

Why in News?

The news is significant as it showcases India’s growing capability in indigenous defence and marine technology. The development was achieved in a record time of eight months, and trials have proven the system’s safety and performance. This aligns with the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthens maritime infrastructure.

Key Highlights

Developer: DMSRDE, Kanpur (a DRDO lab)
Purpose: High-pressure sea water desalination
Beneficiary: Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
Membrane Type: Nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane
Development Time: Completed in 8 months
Trial Status: Successfully tested onboard ICG’s Offshore Patrolling Vessel
Next Step: Awaiting final operational clearance after 500 hours of testing

Objective

To provide an indigenous, stable, and efficient solution for desalination on marine vessels, especially suitable for Indian defence operations exposed to high salinity environments.

Background

Desalination is vital for fresh water supply in maritime regions.
Imported systems pose cost and maintenance issues.
DRDO aimed to develop a chloride-resistant membrane tailored to Indian coastal conditions.

Significance

A leap forward in defence materials technology
Enhances maritime self-sufficiency
Supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative
Potential for civilian coastal applications in future

About DRDO

Research wing of the Ministry of Defence
Headquarters: New Delhi
Network: 41 laboratories + 5 DRDO Young Scientist Labs (DYSLs)
Major projects: Agni, Prithvi, Tejas, Pinaka, Akash, Radars, and EW Systems

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	DRDO Develops Indigenous Polymeric Membrane for Desalination
Developer	DMSRDE, DRDO (Kanpur)
Technology	High-pressure nanoporous polymeric membrane
Use	Desalination on Indian Coast Guard vessels
Development	Duration 8 months
Initial Trials	Completed successfully on OPV
Awaited Outcome	Final clearance post 500-hour operational test
Alignment with National Goals	Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Defence Indigenization

India’s Outward FDI Soars to $6.8 Billion in April 2025: RBI

India’s Exports Surge 12.7% in April 2025, Led by Services and Electronics

India’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments surged to $6.8 billion in April 2025, nearly double the amount recorded in April 2024, reflecting strong investor confidence in global expansion by Indian enterprises. This sharp increase, as per data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), comes at a time when Indian companies are aggressively pursuing global opportunities through equity investments, loans, and guarantees to their overseas subsidiaries and joint ventures.

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India released updated data showing that India’s outward FDI nearly doubled in April 2025, reaching a record $6.8 billion, up from $3.58 billion in April 2024. This news is significant as it indicates growing global ambitions of Indian firms despite global economic uncertainties.

Key Components of Outward FDI Commitments

Equity Investment

Rose multi-fold to $2.72 billion in April 2025.
Up from $740 million in April 2024.

Loans

Increased over three times to $1.16 billion in April 2025.
Compared to $687.33 million in April 2024.

Guarantees

Jumped to $2.98 billion in April 2025.
Up from $2.16 billion a year ago.
Significantly higher than $1.23 billion in March 2025.

Objective and Significance

The rise reflects increased confidence of Indian businesses in global markets.
Shows a shift in capital allocation for global expansion, diversification, and access to new technologies and markets.
Supports the government’s broader “Make in India for the World” vision.

Static Facts

Outward FDI includes financial commitments in,

Wholly owned subsidiaries
Joint ventures
Strategic acquisitions
Regulated under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act), 1999.
Administered by RBI under automatic and approval routes.

Background

India has historically been a net FDI recipient, but in recent years, there’s been a growing trend of Indian multinationals investing abroad, especially in,

Renewable energy
IT services
Pharmaceuticals
Automotive sectors

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	India’s Outward FDI Soars to $6.8 Billion in April 2025: RBI
Outward FDI (April 2025)	$6.8 billion
Outward FDI (April 2024)	$3.58 billion
Key Components	Equity ($2.72 bn), Loans ($1.16 bn), Guarantees ($2.98 bn)
Administering Body	Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Governing Law	FEMA, 1999
Implication	Expanding global footprint of Indian enterprises

Supreme Court Directs Urgent Establishment of Exclusive POCSO Courts Across India

In a significant move aimed at ensuring swift justice for child sexual abuse victims, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to urgently establish exclusive courts for cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Highlighting the alarming rise in child rape incidents and the lack of sufficient judicial infrastructure, the apex court emphasized that the delay in trials violates the intent of the POCSO Act and hampers access to justice for vulnerable victims.

Why in News?

The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu petition concerning the increasing number of child rape cases across the country. During the hearing, it expressed concern over delays in investigation and trials, particularly due to shortage of dedicated POCSO courts in many states. The SC reiterated its 2019 directive for setting up special courts and expanded the guideline to include two such courts in districts where pending POCSO cases exceed 300.

Background and Legal Context

The POCSO Act, 2012, was enacted to provide a child-friendly system for the reporting, recording, and speedy trial of sexual offences against children.
As per the law, trials should ideally be completed within one year from the date of cognizance.
However, lack of dedicated courts and judicial delay often hinders this mandate.

Supreme Court’s Key Observations and Directives

A Bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and P.B. Varale observed that delays were primarily due to inadequate number of exclusive courts.

The Court emphasized the need to,

Sensitize investigation officials handling POCSO cases.
Ensure timely filing of charge sheets.
Complete trials within the prescribed legal timeline.
Set up 2 designated POCSO courts in districts where pending cases > 300.
Clarify that earlier 2019 direction of 1 court per district with 100+ FIRs refers to exclusive POCSO courts only.

Current Status in States

Many states have complied with the earlier directive using central funding.
However, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal are among the states flagged for needing more courts due to case backlogs.

Significance of the Directive

Reinforces child-centric justice delivery.
Reduces psychological trauma for child victims by ensuring timely redressal.
Supports India’s commitment under international child rights conventions like the UNCRC.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Supreme Court Directs Urgent Establishment of Exclusive POCSO Courts Across India
Directed by	Supreme Court of India
Key Focus	Fast-track justice under the POCSO Act
Key Directive	Set up dedicated courts in districts with 100+ FIRs & 300+ pending cases
Important States Flagged	Bihar, TN, Maharashtra, UP, Odisha, West Bengal
Relevant Act	Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
Goal	Timely justice, reduce pendency, child-friendly procedure

What is the HIMARS Rocket System? A Modern Artillery Game-Changer

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In a powerful show of self-defence capabilities, Taiwan recently conducted its first live-firing of the U.S.-supplied HIMARS, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. This move highlights Taiwan’s growing emphasis on precision strike capabilities and military preparedness, aligning with global trends in modern warfare.

Overview of HIMARS

Feature	Description
Full Name	High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)
Type	Lightweight, multiple rocket launcher system
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Corporation, USA
Purpose	To engage and defeat artillery, air defence systems, light armour, vehicles, and troop concentrations
Users	Widely deployed by the U.S., NATO allies, and recently by Taiwan and Ukraine

Technical Features of HIMARS

Attribute	Specification
Mobility Platform	Mounted on a 5-ton Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV)
Launch Capability	Fires six precision-guided rockets (~70 km range) or one ATACMS missile (~300 km range)
Transportability	C-130 air-transportable – enables rapid deployment in remote or contested regions
Fire Readiness	Ready to fire in less than 20 seconds
Firing Time	Can discharge a full load of six rockets in under 45 seconds
Shoot-and-Scoot	Launches and relocates quickly to avoid enemy counter-strike
Crew Protection	Armoured cabin provides shielding from debris, small arms fire, and rocket plume gases

Strategic Importance of HIMARS

Area	Details
Tactical Advantage	Offers precision strike and high mobility in short timeframes
Modern Warfare Role	Plays a crucial role in long-range precision fire missions
Combat Proven	Extensively used by Ukraine to destroy Russian logistics and command centers
Mobility & Survivability	The “shoot-and-scoot” tactic ensures greater survivability on the battlefield

HIMARS vs India’s Pinaka: A Comparative Insight

Parameter	HIMARS	Indian Counterpart (Pinaka MBRL)
Type	Wheeled rocket launcher	Truck-mounted Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher
Max Range	Up to 300 km (with ATACMS)	~75–90 km (Pinaka Mk-2)
Launch System	C-130 air-transportable	Not air-transportable
Operator Crew	3-person crew	Crew of 4–5 personnel

Why HIMARS Matters for Taiwan

Taiwan’s integration of HIMARS into its defence architecture represents a significant upgrade in its ability to conduct mobile, precise, and long-range counterattacks. In a region marked by increasing military pressure from China, HIMARS provides a credible deterrent and enhances Taiwan’s ability to protect its sovereignty.

With its battle-tested capabilities and emphasis on precision over volume, HIMARS is reshaping the modern battlefield, proving to be a force multiplier for nations facing asymmetric threats.