Published: Mar 11, 2025
Last Updated: May 17, 2025 12:40 PM

States and Capitals of India

States in India and Their Capitals

States and Capitals of India

India currently has 28 states and capitals, each with a unique administrative center, alongside 8 Union Territories. This structure, rooted in Article 1 of the Constitution, defines India as a "Union of States." Here’s the complete list of india states and capitals

How Many States in India

As of March 20, 2025, India boasts 28 states and capitals, a figure that reflects its federal diversity and historical journey. Whether you’re searching "indian states and capitals," "state and capital," or even "ভারতের কয়টি রাজ্য ও কি কি 2024" (How many states in India and what are they in 2024?), this guide breaks it down for you with a UPSC lens.

List Of 29 States Of India With Capital

State Capital
Andhra Pradesh Amaravati
Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar
Assam Dispur
Bihar Patna
Chhattisgarh Raipur
Goa Panaji
Gujarat Gandhinagar
Haryana Chandigarh
Himachal Pradesh Shimla
Jharkhand Ranchi
Karnataka Bengaluru
Kerala Thiruvananthapuram
Madhya Pradesh Bhopal
Maharashtra Mumbai
Manipur Imphal
Meghalaya Shillong
Mizoram Aizawl
Nagaland Kohima
Odisha Bhubaneswar
Punjab Chandigarh
Rajasthan Jaipur
Sikkim Gangtok
Tamil Nadu Chennai
Telangana Hyderabad
Tripura Agartala
Uttar Pradesh Lucknow
Uttarakhand Dehradun
West Bengal Kolkata

States and Capitals of India 2025

India, the seventh-largest country in the world, is divided into 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Each state has a capital that serves as the administrative, legislative, and judicial hub. This guide explores all 28 states, their capitals, and their significance.

The state and capital of India framework wasn’t always set at 28. Post-independence in 1947, India had a patchwork of provinces and princely states. Over time, this evolved:

  • 1950: The Constitution recognized 29 states, grouped into Parts A, B, C, and D.
  • 1956: The States Reorganisation Act streamlined this to 14 states and 6 UTs, prioritizing linguistic identities.
  • Later Changes:
    • 1960: Maharashtra (Mumbai) and Gujarat (Gandhinagar) emerged from Bombay State.
    • 1971-1987: Northeastern indian states and capitals like Manipur (Imphal) and Mizoram (Aizawl) were formed.
    • 2000: Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Uttarakhand (Dehradun), and Jharkhand (Ranchi) were carved out.
    • 2014: Telangana (Hyderabad) split from Andhra Pradesh.
    • 2019: Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood ended, reducing the count to 28 states and capitals.

 Indian States and Capitals

  • Largest by Area: Rajasthan (Jaipur)
  • Smallest by Area: Goa (Panaji)
  • Most Populous: Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow)
  • Least Populous: Sikkim (Gangtok)

List of states and capitals of India with Interesting Facts

State Capital Interesting Facts
Andhra Pradesh Amaravati Amaravati is known for its ancient Buddhist heritage and the stunning Amaravati Stupa.
Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Itanagar is the only state capital in India that is situated at a height of over 1,000 meters.
Assam Dispur Assam is famous for its tea gardens, and Dispur is the smallest state capital in India.
Bihar Patna Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, with a history spanning over 2,500 years.
Chhattisgarh Raipur Raipur is known as the "Rice Bowl of India" due to its extensive rice production.
Goa Panaji Panaji, also known as Panjim, is famous for its Portuguese colonial architecture and vibrant nightlife.
Gujarat Gandhinagar Gandhinagar is one of the few planned cities in India and houses the world's largest statue, the Statue of Unity.
Haryana Chandigarh Chandigarh is a Union Territory and the first planned city in India, designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier.
Himachal Pradesh Shimla Shimla served as the summer capital of British India and is known for its scenic beauty and pleasant climate.
Jharkhand Ranchi Ranchi is known as the "City of Waterfalls," with over 100 waterfalls in the surrounding area.
Karnataka Bengaluru Bengaluru, also called the "Silicon Valley of India," is a major tech hub and home to numerous startups.
Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Madhya Pradesh Bhopal Bhopal is known as the "City of Lakes" for its numerous natural and artificial lakes.
Maharashtra Mumbai Mumbai is the financial capital of India and is home to Bollywood, the Hindi film industry.
Manipur Imphal Imphal is famous for its rich culture, including traditional Manipuri dance and martial arts.
Meghalaya Shillong Shillong is often called the "Scotland of India" due to its rolling hills and picturesque landscapes.
Mizoram Aizawl Aizawl is known for its vibrant tribal culture and is home to various indigenous communities.
Nagaland Kohima Kohima is famous for the Hornbill Festival, celebrating the culture of Naga tribes.
Odisha Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar is known as the "Temple City of India" due to its ancient temples and architecture.
Punjab Chandigarh Punjab is known for its vibrant culture, particularly its music and dance forms, like Bhangra.
Rajasthan Jaipur Jaipur, also known as the "Pink City," is famous for its historic palaces and forts.
Sikkim Gangtok Gangtok is known for its stunning views of the Kanchenjunga mountain range, the third highest in the world.
Tamil Nadu Chennai Chennai is the cultural capital of South India, known for its classical music and dance forms.
Telangana Hyderabad Hyderabad is famous for its rich history, delicious biryani, and the iconic Charminar.
Tripura Agartala Agartala is known for its beautiful temples and is the second smallest state in India.
Uttar Pradesh Lucknow Lucknow is renowned for its rich history, especially the Awadhi culture, and is known for its kebabs.
Uttarakhand Dehradun Dehradun is known as the "Gateway to the Himalayas" and is a popular destination for trekking and adventure sports.
West Bengal Kolkata Kolkata is famous for its colonial architecture, cultural festivals, and as the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore.

Additionally, Delhi is the National Capital Territory (NCT) and serves as the capital of India.


Northern States of India and their Capitals

State Capital Description
Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) Known for its scenic valleys and breathtaking landscapes.
Himachal Pradesh Shimla Famous for picturesque hill stations and adventure tourism.
Punjab Chandigarh Renowned for its vibrant culture and rich traditions.
Haryana Chandigarh An agricultural powerhouse with a rich cultural heritage.
Uttarakhand Dehradun Known for its natural beauty and sacred temples.
Uttar Pradesh Lucknow The state is home to iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal and boasts a rich historical legacy.

Eastern States of India their Capitals

State Capital Description
Bihar Patna A state with a profound historical and cultural heritage.
Jharkhand Ranchi Known for its mineral wealth and lush landscapes.
West Bengal Kolkata A major cultural hub with a storied past.
Odisha Bhubaneswar Renowned for its temples and cultural festivals.

North-Eastern States of India their Capitals

State Capital Description
Assam Dispur Famous for its tea gardens and wildlife.
Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Known for its untouched natural beauty and vibrant tribal culture.
Manipur Imphal A state rich in cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.
Meghalaya Shillong Celebrated for its high rainfall and mesmerizing landscapes.
Mizoram Aizawl Known for its rolling hills and tribal culture.
Nagaland Kohima Famous for its tribal traditions and festivals.
Tripura Agartala Known for its historic temples and serene beauty.
Sikkim Gangtok Famous for its stunning Himalayan landscapes.

Western States of India their Capitals

State Capital Description
Rajasthan Jaipur Known for its forts, palaces, and vibrant culture.
Gujarat Gandhinagar Famous for its diverse culture and economic progress.
Maharashtra Mumbai The financial capital of India, with a rich cultural heritage.
Goa Panaji Renowned for its beaches, Portuguese heritage, and vibrant nightlife.

Central States of India their Capitals

State Capital Description
Madhya Pradesh Bhopal Known for its rich history, temples, and wildlife.
Chhattisgarh Raipur Famous for its dense forests and tribal cultures.

Southern States of India their Capitals

State Capital Description
Karnataka Bengaluru A major IT hub with a rich cultural history.
Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Known for its backwaters, Ayurvedic practices, and scenic beauty.
Tamil Nadu Chennai Famous for its temples, classical arts, and unique cuisine.
Andhra Pradesh Amaravati Known for its ancient history and cultural heritage.
Telangana Hyderabad A historical and modern cultural centre with rich traditions.

Major Changes in Indian States and Capitals Over Time

India's political map has evolved over time, with changes in state boundaries and capitals. Some notable changes include:

  • The Formation of Telangana: Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, with Hyderabad becoming its capital.
  • The Creation of New Capital: The state of Andhra Pradesh is building a new capital, Amaravati, to decentralize governance and promote regional development.

 


How Many States in India and Their Capitals in 2025?

As of 2025, India has 28 states and 8 union territories. Each state and union territory has a capital, and many of these capitals have deep historical and cultural significance. Explore the complete list and learn about their origins, historical relevance, and key features.


States Of India and Union Territories 2025

India has 9 union territories, each administered directly by the central government. These are:

  1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands – Port Blair
  2. Daman & Diu – Daman
  3. Dadra & Nagar Haveli – Daman
  4. Puducherry – Puducherry
  5. Delhi – New Delhi
  6. Jammu & Kashmir – Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
  7. Lakshadweep – Kavaratti
  8. Chandigarh – Chandigarh
  9. Ladakh – Leh

 

Conclusion

 States and capitals of India reflect the country’s rich history, cultural diversity, and political evolution. Whether it’s the stunning landscapes of the northern regions, the vibrant traditions of the west, or the historic significance of the southern states, each state contributes uniquely to the Indian union.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area.

As of 2024, India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories.

Jammu and Kashmir has two capitals: Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter).

Chandigarh serves as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana.

The states of India and their capitals can be found in educational resources and government websites.

India does not currently have a 29th state; it has 28 states as of 2024.

Himachal Pradesh has two capitals: Shimla (summer) and Dharamshala (winter).

Goa is the smallest state in India by area.

The Union Territories of India include Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep.

Yes, as of 2024, India consists of 28 states and 8 Union Territories.

India is divided into states for administrative efficiency, cultural representation, and regional governance.

The names of Indian states are derived from historical events, geographical features, and cultural significance.

States are often divided based on linguistic, cultural, and geographical factors, along with historical contexts.

The division into states allows for localized governance, enabling better representation of diverse cultures and needs.

Discussions about creating new states often arise based on regional demands, but any changes must go through legislative processes.

Union Territories are regions governed directly by the Central Government, often due to their unique administrative needs.

The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state, responsible for implementing policies and administration.
About the Author
Mekhala Joshi

JAIN College

JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education.

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