Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 20, 2025
15
mins read
India currently has 28 states, each with its own capital city. The table below provides the complete list having All States of India and their Capitals, along with the year of their formation (or most recent reorganization) for context. This list is updated to 2025, reflecting all recent state creations. Knowing the list of States and Capitals of India is crucial for quick recall in exams.
S.No. | State | Capital | Formation Year |
1. | Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | 1956 (Nov 1, 1956) |
2. | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | 1987 (Feb 20, 1987) |
3. | Assam | Dispur | 1950 (Jan 26, 1950) |
4. | Bihar | Patna | 1950 (Jan 26, 1950) |
5. | Chhattisgarh | Raipur | 2000 (Nov 1, 2000) |
6. | Goa | Panaji | 1987 (May 30, 1987) |
7. | Gujarat | Gandhinagar | 1960 (May 1, 1960) |
8. | Haryana | Chandigarh | 1966 (Nov 1, 1966) |
9. | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | 1971 (Jan 25, 1971) |
10. | Jharkhand | Ranchi | 2000 (Nov 15, 2000) |
11. | Karnataka | Bengaluru | 1956 (Nov 1, 1956) |
12. | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | 1956 (Nov 1, 1956) |
13. | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | 1956 (Nov 1, 1956) |
14. | Maharashtra | Mumbai | 1960 (May 1, 1960) |
15. | Manipur | Imphal | 1972 (Jan 21, 1972) |
16. | Meghalaya | Shillong | 1972 (Jan 21, 1972) |
17. | Mizoram | Aizawl | 1987 (Feb 20, 1987) |
18. | Nagaland | Kohima | 1963 (Dec 1, 1963) |
19. | Odisha | Bhubaneswar | 1950 (Jan 26, 1950) |
20. | Punjab | Chandigarh | 1966 (Nov 1, 1966) |
21. | Rajasthan | Jaipur | 1949 (Mar 30, 1949) |
22. | Sikkim | Gangtok | 1975 (May 16, 1975) |
23. | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | 1950 (Jan 26, 1950) |
24. | Telangana | Hyderabad | 2014 (June 2, 2014) |
25. | Tripura | Agartala | 1972 (Jan 21, 1972) |
26. | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | 1950 (Jan 24, 1950) |
27. | Uttarakhand | Dehradun | 2000 (Nov 9, 2000) |
28. | West Bengal | Kolkata | 1950 (Jan 26, 1950) |
Some states have more than one capital or have shifted their capitals historically. For example, Maharashtra uses Mumbai as its official capital but holds winter legislative sessions in Nagpur (often called the second capital). Himachal Pradesh has summer and winter capitals (Shimla and Dharamshala respectively), and Uttarakhand recently designated Gairsain as its summer capital while Dehradun remains the winter capital.
Table of content
Articles:
Article 1: Declares India as a “Union of States” and lists states and UTs.
Article 2: Parliament may admit or establish new states into the Union.
Article 3: Empowers Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, or change names of existing states (with the President referring the Bill to the concerned state legislature for opinion).
Article 4: Provides that any law made under Article 2 or 3 is deemed to amend the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule automatically.
Articles 153–167: Deal with the executive structure of states (Governor, Council of Ministers, Chief Minister).
Articles 168–212: Relate to the state legislatures (Vidhan Sabha, Vidhan Parishad where applicable).
Article 239: Administration of Union Territories by the President.
Article 239A: Special provision for creating legislatures and Council of Ministers for certain UTs (e.g., Puducherry).
Article 239AA: Special provisions for the National Capital Territory (Delhi), granting it an elected assembly and Council of Ministers.
Schedules
First Schedule: Lists all states and Union Territories along with their territories.
Second Schedule: Specifies salaries of Governors (important for state administration).
Seventh Schedule: Divides legislative subjects between Union and State lists (Union, State, Concurrent lists).
Twelfth Schedule: Relates to municipal governance, indirectly tied to states and UTs’ administration.
In addition to the states, India has 8 Union Territories (UTs). UTs are regions directly governed by the Central government, though a few have been granted partial state-like powers with their own legislatures. For instance, Delhi (National Capital Territory) and Puducherry have elected legislative assemblies, and the new UT of Jammu & Kashmir (since 2019) also has a legislature. Below is the list of Union Territories of India and their capitals, along with their formation dates or reorganization year:
Union Territory | Capital | Formation / UT Status |
Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair | 1956 (UT since Nov 1, 1956) |
Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 1966 (UT since Nov 1, 1966) |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Daman | 2020 (merged UT from Jan 26, 2020) |
Delhi (National Capital Territory) | New Delhi | 1956 (UT/NCT since 1956) |
Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) | 2019 (UT since Oct 31, 2019) |
Ladakh | Leh | 2019 (UT since Oct 31, 2019) |
Lakshadweep | Kavaratti | 1956 (UT since Nov 1, 1956) |
Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) | Pondicherry (Puducherry) | 1954 (UT since Nov 1, 1954) |
Among these, Delhi (NCT) and Puducherry have an elected Chief Minister and legislature (under Articles 239AA and 239A respectively) despite being UTs. Jammu & Kashmir, after becoming a UT in 2019, also has provisions for a legislature.
Other UTs are governed by an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President. Notably, Jammu and Kashmir (as a state) used to have twin capitals - Srinagar in summer and Jammu in winter - a practice that continues under its UT status. Ladakh UT has two notified headquarters (Leh and Kargil) for administrative convenience. The 2020 merger of Daman & Diu with Dadra & Nagar Haveli into a single UT reduced the total number of UTs and is an example of administrative streamlining.
Map: India’s political map showing all 28 states (in various colors) and 8 Union Territories, with their capital cities marked. States are labeled in uppercase and capitals with a dot. This map helps aspirants visualize locations of each state/UT and their capitals, aiding in geographical context and map-based learning.
India’s map has evolved since Independence, with several state reorganisations and changes in capitals over the decades. UPSC aspirants should be aware of major changes, especially recent ones:
Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation 2019:
In August 2019, the Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019,
It revoked Article 370 (ending J&K’s special status) and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. This took effect on October 31, 2019.
As a result, India’s state count reduced from 29 to 28, and UT count increased to 8. J&K and Ladakh now are directly governed UTs (with J&K having an assembly).
This was the first time a state was converted into UTs in India.
To know about the history and impact of Article 370’s removal, and how Jammu & Kashmir was converted from a state into two UTs in 2019 Check our blog : Article 370 of the Indian Constitution: History, Abrogation and Impact on Jammu & Kashmir
Merger of Daman & Diu with Dadra & Nagar Haveli (2020):
Effective January 26, 2020, the two adjacent Union Territories on the west coast Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu - were merged into a single UT for administrative efficiency.
The new combined UT is known as “Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu” with Daman as its capital.
This merger was done through an Act of Parliament in 2019, and it streamlined the count of UTs
Though States and Union Territories together form the Union of India, there are clear administrative and constitutional differences between them. The table below highlights the key differences between a State and a Union Territory (important for Polity questions):
Aspect | State | Union Territory (UT) |
Administrative Setup | Own elected government & legislature in each state. | Directly administered by the Central Government (through the President's appointed Administrator). Some UTs have partial state-like governance (Delhi, Puducherry, J&K). |
Executive Head | The Governor (appointed by the President) is the nominal head; the Chief Minister is the real executive head. | The President of India is the executive head (represented by a Lieutenant Governor or Administrator). In Delhi, Puducherry, J&K the LG and an elected CM share powers. |
Relationship with Centre | Federal structure - State powers are constitutionally protected, and states have autonomy in subjects under State List. | Unitary with the Centre - UTs have no separate constitutional status; all powers rest with the Union (except where legislature exists by special provision). |
Creation & Changes | Parliament can form new states or alter boundaries via constitutional process (Article 3) - requires simple majority in Parliament and usually state legislature’s opinion. | Parliament can convert a UT into a state or merge UTs by law. UTs are created for special reasons (e.g., strategic, cultural, administrative), and can be upgraded to statehood if needed (as done for Goa in 1987, etc.). |
Examples | Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra (28 states in total). | Chandigarh, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands (8 UTs in total, including Delhi, Puducherry with assemblies). |
Beyond just capitals, each Indian state and UT has unique cultural and geographical features important for exams. Here is a snapshot of Indian states and UTs with their specialities - from folk dances and festivals to iconic monuments and natural wonders.
State | Specialities (Culture, Geography, Festivals, Heritage) |
Andhra Pradesh | • The state is known for its spicy cuisine and the classical dance form Kuchipudi. • It is home to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (Tirupati) and the ancient Amaravati Stupa. • Andhra Pradesh has a strong tradition of music and arts, with Amaravati as its current capital (Hyderabad now belongs to Telangana). |
Arunachal Pradesh | • Arunachal Pradesh is celebrated for its breathtaking mountain landscapes and rich tribal diversity. • The Tawang Monastery, one of the largest in India, is a major spiritual center. • It hosts unique festivals like Losar (Tibetan New Year) and is called the “Land of the Rising Sun.” |
Assam | • Assam is world-famous for its tea plantations, producing the distinct Assam tea. • The Kaziranga National Park shelters the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. • Its culture is vibrant with the Bihu festival and dance, and the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is a major pilgrimage site. |
Bihar | • Bihar is an ancient land of learning, once home to Nalanda University and Vikramshila. • It is central to Buddhist heritage, with Bodh Gaya being the site of Buddha’s enlightenment. • The state is also known for its Madhubani painting folk art and historic Patliputra (Patna). |
Chhattisgarh | • Chhattisgarh is rich in tribal heritage, with major groups like Gond and Baiga. • The state boasts the stunning Chitrakote Waterfall, often called “India’s Niagara.” • Its cultural identity shines in the Bastar Dussehra festival and traditional handicrafts. |
Goa | • Goa is popular for its pristine beaches and unique Indo-Portuguese culture. • The state is dotted with historical churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus (UNESCO site) and forts like Aguada. • Festivals like Carnival and Shigmo add color to its vibrant lifestyle. |
Gujarat | • Gujarat is iconic for the Rann of Kutch salt desert, which transforms into a cultural hub during the Rann Utsav. • It is known for the energetic Garba dance during Navaratri. • The state preserves history through sites like Sabarmati Ashram and the Sun Temple at Modhera. |
Haryana | • Haryana is called India’s “grain bowl,” being an agricultural and industrial powerhouse. • It shares Chandigarh as its joint capital with Punjab, a modernist city by Le Corbusier. • The historic battlefield of Kurukshetra lies here, and Haryanvi folk dances like Ghoomar are popular. |
Himachal Pradesh | • Himachal Pradesh is celebrated for its scenic hill stations like Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala. • It is the seat of the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. • The state is famous for its apple orchards, Kullu Dussehra, and temples like Jakhoo Temple in Shimla. |
Jharkhand | • Jharkhand is rich in minerals like coal and iron, making it an industrial hub. • Its culture thrives in tribal communities such as the Santhal and Munda tribes. • Attractions include Betla National Park, Hundru Falls, and religious sites like the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple. |
Karnataka | • Karnataka is known as India’s “Silicon Valley”, with Bengaluru as the IT hub. • The state is rich in heritage with sites like Hampi (UNESCO) and Mysore Palace. • It is also famous for Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam dance, and the grand Dasara festival in Mysuru. |
Kerala | • Kerala, called “God’s Own Country”, is renowned for lush greenery and backwaters. • It is a leader in literacy and Ayurveda wellness tourism. • The state celebrates Onam festival and is known for Kathakali and Mohiniyattam dance forms. |
Madhya Pradesh | • Known as the “Heart of India”, it is geographically central. • It houses UNESCO heritage sites like Khajuraho temples and Sanchi Stupa. • Rich in wildlife, with tiger reserves such as Kanha and Bandhavgarh, and cultural highlights like Gond tribal dances. |
Maharashtra | • Maharashtra is India’s economic powerhouse with Mumbai as the financial and Bollywood capital. • It celebrates the Ganesh Chaturthi festival with grandeur. • The Ajanta-Ellora Caves (UNESCO) and Shirdi pilgrimage site are significant attractions. |
Manipur | • Manipur is called the “Jewel of India” due to its natural beauty. • The Loktak Lake with its floating islands is unique. • It is renowned for Manipuri dance, Yaoshang festival, and is the birthplace of polo. |
Meghalaya | • Meghalaya means “Abode of Clouds” and records some of the heaviest rainfall in the world at Mawsynram. • It is famous for living root bridges and scenic caves. • Culturally, the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes dominate, celebrating the Wangala festival. |
Mizoram | • Mizoram is a hilly state with high literacy rates. • The Cheraw bamboo dance is its cultural hallmark. • The state celebrates Chapchar Kut festival and offers scenic views from Aizawl’s Durtlang Hills. |
Nagaland | • Nagaland is known for its warrior tribes and colorful attire. • The annual Hornbill Festival showcases its cultural diversity. • It also features attractions like the Dzükou Valley and the Kohima War Cemetery. |
Odisha | • Odisha is famous for ancient temples like the Konark Sun Temple and Jagannath Temple in Puri. • The Rath Yatra chariot festival is globally renowned. • The state’s culture is enriched by Odissi classical dance and Chilika Lake’s biodiversity. |
Punjab | • Punjab is the heart of Sikh culture and home to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. • It is known for its energetic Bhangra and Giddha dances. • Fertile Punjab played a key role in the Green Revolution in agriculture. |
Rajasthan | • Rajasthan, India’s largest state by area, is known for its deserts and Rajput heritage. • It boasts majestic forts and palaces like the Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort. • Festivals like the Pushkar Camel Fair and folk dances like Ghoomar are world famous. |
Sikkim | • Sikkim is renowned for being India’s first fully organic state. • It offers Himalayan beauty with Kanchenjunga peak and alpine lakes like Gurudongmar. • The state has a rich Buddhist heritage, with monasteries like Rumtek. |
Tamil Nadu | • Tamil Nadu is the cradle of Dravidian culture and famous for grand temple architecture like Meenakshi Temple and Brihadeeswarar Temple. • It is home to Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic music. • The state celebrates the harvest festival Pongal and is an automobile and IT hub. |
Telangana | • Telangana, India’s youngest state, carries the legacy of the Nizams of Hyderabad. • It is known for landmarks like Charminar and Golconda Fort. • The state celebrates Bathukamma festival and nurtures unique folk traditions like Oggu Katha. |
Tripura | • Tripura has a royal history under the Manikya dynasty. • Its capital, Agartala, features the Ujjayanta Palace and the lake palace Neermahal. • The state is home to the Tripura Sundari Temple and Hojagiri folk dance. |
Uttar Pradesh | • Uttar Pradesh is a cultural heartland, home to the Taj Mahal in Agra. • It hosts the holy cities of Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj. • The state is known for Kathak dance, the Kumbh Mela, and Awadhi cuisine. |
Uttarakhand | • Uttarakhand is called “Dev Bhoomi” for its Char Dham shrines like Kedarnath and Badrinath. • It is home to the Valley of Flowers National Park and Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. • Cultural life includes Garhwali and Kumaoni traditions. |
Union Territory | Specialities |
Andaman & Nicobar Islands | • This tropical archipelago is famous for the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, a historic monument of India’s freedom struggle. • It is renowned for pristine beaches like Radhanagar Beach and rich marine biodiversity. • The UT is also home to indigenous tribes such as the Sentinelese, who live in isolation. |
Chandigarh | • Chandigarh is India’s first planned city, designed by Le Corbusier. • It is famous for its modernist architecture, the Capitol Complex (UNESCO site), and the Rock Garden. • The city uniquely serves as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana. |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | • This coastal UT blends Gujarati and Portuguese heritage. • Daman and Diu, Portuguese colonies until 1961, retain European churches and forts like the Diu Fort. • It is popular for its scenic beaches and a relaxed tourism culture. |
Delhi (NCT) | • Delhi, India’s national capital, is the political and administrative hub of the country. • It is home to monuments such as the Red Fort, India Gate, and Qutub Minar. • The city blends Mughal heritage with modern infrastructure, making it a bustling metropolis. |
Jammu & Kashmir | • Now a Union Territory, it is culturally rich with Kashmiri cuisine (Wazwan) and Pashmina shawls. • Jammu is famous for the Vaishno Devi shrine, while the Kashmir Valley is renowned for Dal Lake and Himalayan beauty. • It is often called “Paradise on Earth.” |
Ladakh | • Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert, known for its stark landscapes and Buddhist culture. • It houses monasteries like Hemis and Thiksey and the breathtaking Pangong Tso lake. • Adventure activities like trekking and the Khardung La pass make it unique. |
Lakshadweep | • India’s smallest UT, Lakshadweep is an archipelago of coral islands in the Arabian Sea. • It is known for beaches, lagoons, and marine life, attracting snorkelers and divers. • Its culture is influenced by a blend of South Indian and Muslim traditions. |
Puducherry (Pondicherry) | • Puducherry reflects its French colonial legacy in its architecture and cafés. • The Auroville township and Sri Aurobindo Ashram add spiritual significance. • The UT is also famous for tranquil beaches and a laid-back lifestyle. |
Prelims
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2025)
State | Description | |
1 | Arunachal Pradesh | The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks |
2 | Tripura | The State came into exis-tence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act |
3 | Nagaland | Initially a Part 'C' State, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganization of States in 1956 and later attained the status of a full-fledged State. |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Only one
Only two
All the three
None.
Answer: (c)
Mains
Question 1: The political and administrative reorganisation of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (2022)
Question 2: Discuss whether the formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (2018)
Question 3: Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity? (2016).
FAQ's
Q. What is the process of creation of a new state in India?
A. A new state can be created by an Act of Parliament under Article 3 of the Constitution. Parliament can reorganize state boundaries or form new states via a simple majority law, as empowered by Articles 3 and 4.
Q. Which is the capital of Telangana?
A. Hyderabad is the capital city of Telangana. (It served as the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for 10 years after 2014. Now Hyderabad remains solely the capital of Telangana, while Andhra Pradesh is developing Amaravati as its capital.)
Q. What is the capital of the Union Territory of Delhi?
A. The Union Territory of Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, has New Delhi as its capital. New Delhi is the seat of central government and is part of the larger Delhi metropolitan area.
Q. How many states and Union Territories does India have currently (2025)?
A. India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories at present. (The count became 28 states after Jammu & Kashmir’s state status was removed in 2019, and 8 UTs after the merger of Daman & Diu with Dadra & Nagar Haveli in 2020.)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the states and Union Territories of India collectively embody the incredible diversity and richness of the country’s heritage, culture, geography, and history. Each state has its unique identity shaped by distinct traditions, festivals, natural beauty, and historical landmarks. From the vibrant dance forms and spiritual centers of the south, to the majestic Himalayan landscapes and tribal heritage of the northeast, and from the bustling economic hubs to the serene beaches and deserts, India’s political map is a mosaic of varied yet harmonious elements.
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