India, officially known as the Republic of India, is a vast and diverse country located in South Asia. India is comprised of 28 states and 8 Union territories, making it a federal union of states. Each state within India has its own government, headed by a Chief Minister, and its own legislature. The Union territories, on the other hand, are governed directly by the Central Government of India. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive state-wise breakdown of India, with detailed information on each of the 28 states that make up this incredible subcontinent.
Northern States
1. Uttar Pradesh (UP)
- Capital: Lucknow
- Population: Approximately 200 million
- Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
2. Bihar
- Capital: Patna
- Population: Around 125 million
- Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
3. Rajasthan
- Capital: Jaipur
- Population: Over 68 million
- Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
4. Punjab
- Capital: Chandigarh
- Population: Approximately 30 million
- Chief Minister: Charanjit Singh Channi
5. Haryana
- Capital: Chandigarh
- Population: Around 28 million
- Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
Western States
6. Maharashtra
- Capital: Mumbai
- Population: Over 114 million
- Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
7. Gujarat
- Capital: Gandhinagar
- Population: Approximately 63 million
- Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
8. Madhya Pradesh (MP)
- Capital: Bhopal
- Population: Around 82 million
- Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
9. Goa
- Capital: Panaji
- Population: Over 1.5 million
- Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
Southern States
10. Karnataka
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Population: Approximately 62 million
- Chief Minister: Basavaraj Bommai
11. Tamil Nadu (TN)
- Capital: Chennai
- Population: Over 72 million
- Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin
12. Kerala
- Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
- Population: Around 35 million
- Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
13. Andhra Pradesh (AP)
- Capital: Amaravati
- Population: Approximately 54 million
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
14. Telangana
- Capital: Hyderabad
- Population: Over 39 million
- Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
Eastern States
15. West Bengal (WB)
- Capital: Kolkata
- Population: Around 100 million
- Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
16. Odisha
- Capital: Bhubaneswar
- Population: Approximately 46 million
- Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
17. Jharkhand
- Capital: Ranchi
- Population: Over 33 million
- Chief Minister: Hemant Soren
18. Chhattisgarh
- Capital: Raipur
- Population: Around 29 million
- Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
North-Eastern States
19. Assam
- Capital: Dispur
- Population: Approximately 35 million
- Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
20. Arunachal Pradesh
- Capital: Itanagar
- Population: Around 1.4 million
- Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
21. Manipur
- Capital: Imphal
- Population: Over 3 million
- Chief Minister: Nongthombam Biren Singh
22. Nagaland
- Capital: Kohima
- Population: Approximately 2 million
- Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
23. Mizoram
- Capital: Aizawl
- Population: Around 1.2 million
- Chief Minister: Zoramthanga
24. Tripura
- Capital: Agartala
- Population: Approximately 4 million
- Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb
25. Meghalaya
- Capital: Shillong
- Population: Over 3 million
- Chief Minister: Conrad Sangma
26. Sikkim
- Capital: Gangtok
- Population: Around 0.7 million
- Chief Minister: Prem Singh Tamang
Union Territories
27. Delhi
- Capital: New Delhi
- Administrator: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal
- Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
28. Puducherry
- Capital: Puducherry
- Administrator: Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan
- Chief Minister: Rangasamy
29. Chandigarh
- Administrator: V. P. Singh Badnore
30. Daman and Diu
- Administrator: Praful Patel
31. Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Administrator: Praful Khoda Patel
32. Lakshadweep
- Administrator: Farooq Khan
33. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Administrator: Admiral D. K. Joshi
34. Ladakh
- Administrator: Radha Krishna Mathur
India, with its myriad of cultures, languages, and landscapes, is a beautiful mosaic of diversity. Each state within the country contributes to the rich tapestry of Indian heritage and tradition. From the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir to the sandy beaches of Goa, from the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene backwaters of Kerala, every state in India offers a unique experience for travelers and residents alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many states are there in India?
India comprises 28 states and 8 Union territories.
2. Which is the largest state in India by area?
Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area.
3. Which is the smallest state in India by area?
Goa is the smallest state in India by area.
4. Which state has the highest population in India?
Uttar Pradesh has the highest population among all states in India.
5. Which state has the highest literacy rate in India?
Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India.
6. Which state has the highest number of districts in India?
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of districts in India.
7. Which state is known as the “Land of Five Rivers”?
Punjab is known as the “Land of Five Rivers”.
8. What are the Seven Sister states of India?
The Seven Sister states of India are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
9. Which is the capital city shared by two states?
Chandigarh is a Union Territory serving as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana.
10. Which is the only state in India with a unicameral legislature?
Telangana is the only state in India with a unicameral legislature.
India’s states and union territories collectively form a vibrant and diverse nation that celebrates unity in diversity. With each region offering its own allure and charm, India truly exemplifies the beauty of coexistence and cultural richness.