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States Information
Comprehensive compilation of India's 28 states and 8 union territories, their capitals, formation dates, key information and special features
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Indian States & Union Territories - Introduction
IndiaIt is a federal state. Currently28 statesAnd8 Union TerritoriesThere are
๐บ๏ธ Administrative Organization of India
๐ States vs Union Territories - Comparison
| feature | States | Union Territories (UTs) |
|---|---|---|
| count | 28 | 8 |
| system of governance | Self-Government (Elected Government) | Central government direct rule |
| Chairman | Governor | Lt. Governor / Administrator |
| Head of Government | Chief Minister | Delhi & Puducherry only CM |
| Legislature | All have it | Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir only |
| Powers | More (State List + General List) | decrease (central control) |
| Constitutional status | Part VI (Lines 152-237) | Part VIII (Lines 239-241) |
| examples | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala | Delhi, Ladakh, Andaman |
๐ State Formation - Major Milestones
1947 - Independence
• British India Division
• 562 states are connected
1950 - Constitution
• Part A, B, C, D states
• 27 States + 6 UTs
1956 - State reorganization
• States by language
• 14 States + 6 UTs
1960-2000 - Expansion
• Gujarat, Maharashtra (1960)
• Nagaland (1963)
• Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh (2000)
2014 - Telangana
• 29th state
• Division from Andhra Pradesh
2019 - Jammu and Kashmir
• Removal of Article 370
• 2 new UTs (J&K, Ladakh)
• Present: 28 States + 8 UTs
๐ฏ States - Classification
๐ Large States (Area)
- 1. Rajasthan - 3,42,239 km²
- 2. Madhya Pradesh - 3,08,245 km²
- 3. Maharashtra - 3,07,713 km²
๐ฅ High population
- 1. Uttar Pradesh - 23+ crores
- 2. Maharashtra - 12+ crores
- 3. Bihar - 12+ crores
๐๏ธ Hill States
- • Himachal Pradesh
- • Uttarakhand
- • Sikkim
- • Arunachal Pradesh
๐ Coastal States
- • 9 states are coastal
- • Gujarat – Longest coastline (1600 km)
- • Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa
โก Shortcuts - to remember
No. of States & UTs
"28 + 8 = 36"
- 28States
- 8Union Territories (UTs)
- Total36Administrative divisions
UTs with Assembly
"Te-pu-je"
- TeLily (NCT)
- ThuTucheri
- JMMU-Kashmir
- Other 5 UTs – No Assembly
Key years
"1956 - 2000 - 2014 - 2019"
- 1956- States Reorganization Act
- 2000- 3 new states
- 2014- Telangana (29th)
- 2019- J&K Reorganization (Reduced to 28)
๐ก Important points for exam
- โ Current Status:28 States + 8 Union Territories
- โ Telangana- India's Last Formed State (2014)
- โ Ladakh- Last formed Union Territory (2019)
- โ Article 370- August 5, 2019 Removal (Jammu and Kashmir)
- โ Delhi- National Capital Territory (NCT) - Special status
- โ 1956- States Reorganization Act - Language based states
28 States of India - Full Details
๐ States - Capitals & Formation
| No | State | Capital | Date of formation | Main language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati (Provisional) | November 1, 1956 | Telugu | Telangana was separated in 2014 |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | Feb 20, 1987 | English | State of the Rising Sun |
| 3 | Assam | Dispur | Jan 26, 1950 | Assamese | A one-horned rhinoceros |
| 4 | Bihar | Patna | Jan 26, 1950 | Hindi | History of Nalanda University |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur | November 1, 2000 | Hindi | From Madhya Pradesh |
| 6 | Goa | Panaji | May 30, 1987 | Konkani | Smallest State (Area) |
| 7 | Gujarat | Gandhinagar | May 1, 1960 | Gujarati | Birth place of Mahatma Gandhi |
| 8 | Haryana | Chandigarh | November 1, 1966 | Hindi | Partition of Chandigarh with Punjab |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla (summer), Dharamsala (winter) | Jan 25, 1971 | Hindi | Hill State |
| 10 | Jharkhand | Ranchi | November 15, 2000 | Hindi | From Bihar - mineral wealth |
| 11 | Karnataka | Bangalore | November 1, 1956 | Kannada | IT capital - Silicon Valley |
| 12 | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | November 1, 1956 | Malayalam | God's Country - 100% Literacy |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | November 1, 1956 | Hindi | Heart State – 2nd largest |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Mumbai | May 1, 1960 | Marathi | Financial capital – Mumbai |
| 15 | Manipur | Imphal | Jan 21, 1972 | graze | Gem State of India |
| 16 | Meghalaya | Shillong | Jan 21, 1972 | English | Abode of clouds |
| 17 | Mizoram | Isol | Feb 20, 1987 | Mizo, English | More Literacy from UT |
| 18 | Nagaland | Kohima | Dec 1, 1963 | English | 16 tribal species |
| 19 | Odisha | Bhubaneswar | Jan 26, 1950 | Odia | Jagannath Temple - Puri |
| 20 | Punjab | Chandigarh | November 1, 1966 | Punjabi | Green Revolution State |
| 21 | Rajasthan | Jaipur | November 1, 1956 | Hindi | The largest state is the Thar Desert |
| 22 | Sikkim | Gangtok | May 16, 1975 | Nepali, English | 22nd State – Kanchanjunga |
| 23 | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Jan 26, 1950 | Tamil | Archaic Language and Culture |
| 24 | Telangana | Hyderabad | June 2, 2014 | Telugu, Urdu | 29th state (now 28) |
| 25 | Tripura | Akartala | Jan 21, 1972 | Kokborok, Bengali | 19 tribal species |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | Jan 26, 1950 | Hindi | Largest population – 23+ crore |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | Kairakkal (Summer), Dehradun (Winter) | November 9, 2000 | Hindi | Devabhoomi - Holy Rivers |
| 28 | West Bengal | Kolkata | Jan 26, 1950 | Bengal | Cultural Capital – Rabindranath |
๐บ๏ธ Regional classification
โก Shortcuts - to remember
States with 2 capitals
"E-u-ma (there is a good mind)"
- eMachal - Shimla (summer), Dharamsala (winter)
- UTargand - Kairakkal (Summer), Dehradun (Winter)
- MMaharashtra - Mumbai (Summer), Nagpur (Winter)
3 states formed in 2000
"U-sa-ja (high jollity)"
- UTargand - November 9, 2000
- ChTheisgarh - November 1, 2000
- JahRgand - November 15, 2000
Chandigarh will share
"Punch - Ha"
- PanjSap +HaRhianna
- Both have a common capital
- Union Territory Status
๐ฏ Important Points for Exam
- โ Telangana- India's 29th state (June 2, 2014)
- โ Sikkim- Joined as 22nd state (May 16, 1975)
- โ Goa- Smallest state in area (3,702 km²)
- โ Rajasthan- Largest state in area (3,42,239 km²)
- โ Uttar Pradesh- Large population (23+ crores)
- โ Sikkim- Low Population (6+ Lakhs)
- โ Gujarat- Longest coastline (1,600 km)
8 Union Territories of India
๐ Union Territories - Full Details
| No | Union Territory | Capital | Year of formation | Legislature | Main specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Player | 1956 | โ | 572 Islands, Cellular Jail |
| 2 | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 1966 | โ | Partition of Punjab & Haryana |
| 3 | Dadra Nagar Haveli and Taman & Dive | Artery | 2020 (Link) | โ | 2 UTs are connected |
| 4 | Delhi (NCT) | New Delhi | 1956 | โ | National capital, special status |
| 5 | Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (summer), Jammu (cold) | 2019 (Restructuring) | โ | Abolition of Article 370, State of UT |
| 6 | Ladakh | Leh | 2019 | โ | Division from J&K, high altitude region |
| 7 | Lakshadweep | lure | 1956 | โ | 36 islands, small UT |
| 8 | Puducherry | Puducherry | 1963 | โ | 4 Regions – French Colony |
๐บ๏ธ Union Territories - Classification
๐ 4 areas of Puducherry
1. Puducherry
State: Tamil Nadu
Area: 293 km²
Specialty: Capital, Arrowville
2. Karaikal
State: Tamil Nadu
Area: 160 km²
Specialties: Cauvery Delta
3. Mahé
State: Kerala
Area: 9 km²
Specialty: Small Area
4. Exchange
State: Kerala
Area: 30 km²
Specialty: Beach town
๐ Delhi NCT vs Other UTs
| feature | Delhi (NCT) | Puducherry | Jammu and Kashmir | Other UTs (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | National Capital Territory | Union Territory | Union Territory (2019) | Union Territory |
| Legislature | โ Yes (70 members) | โ Yes (30 members) | โ Yes (114 members) | โ No |
| Chief Minister | โ There is | โ There is | โ There is | โ No |
| Deputy Governor | โ There is | โ There is | โ There is | โ Have / Admin |
| Powers | Less (police, central control of land) | A lot | Medium | Very little |
| Special | Capital of India | French colony | Formerly State | Central direct rule |
โก Shortcuts - to remember
3 UTs with Assembly
"Te-pu-je"
- TeLily (NCT) - Since 1991
- ThuDucherry – Since 1963
- JMMU-Kashmir – 2019 onwards
- Other 5 UTs – No Assembly
Islands UTs (2)
"A-la (Wave)"
- ANdaman-Nicobar - 572 islands
- LaTsatsativu - 36 islands
- Andaman - Bay of Bengal
- Lakshadweep - Arabian Sea
2019 and 2020 changes
"370 - Balance in J"
- 2019- Removal of Article 370
- J&K +LaDock = 2 new UTs
- 2020- DNH + DD connection
- 29 states → reduced to 28
๐ฏ Important Points for Exam
- โ Ladakh- Last Formed UT (October 31, 2019)
- โ DNH & DD- Merger of two UTs (January 26, 2020)
- โ Lakshadweep- Small UT in area (32 km²)
- โ Delhi- Status of NCT (1991 - 69th Amendment)
- โ Puducherry- 4 Regions (Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Enam)
- โ Andaman- Cellular Jail (Black Water Jail)
- โ Chandigarh- A city designed by Le Corbusier
States - Special Information & Degrees
๐ Special titles of states
| State | Special Degree | The reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | God's Own Country | Natural beauty, backwaters, tourism |
| Karnataka | IT capital of India | Bengaluru - Silicon Valley |
| Maharashtra | Financial capital of India | Mumbai - Stock Market, Banks |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Land of Rising Sun | The sun rises first in India |
| Manipur | Jewel of India | Natural beauty, culture |
| Meghalaya | Abode of Clouds | Heaviest rainfall - Serrapunji |
| Himachal Pradesh | Habitat of mountains | Himalayan state |
| Nagaland | Land of Festivals | Hornbill Festival & Tribal Festivals |
| Punjab | The Land of Five Rivers | Punch (5) + App (River) |
| Rajasthan | The land of kings | Royal capitals, forts |
| Uttarakhand | เฎคเฏเฎตเฎชเฏเฎฎเฎฟ (Land of Gods) | Pilgrimage sites |
| Madhya Pradesh | Heart of India | In the center of India |
| Gujarat | Manchester, India | Textile Industry - Ahmedabad |
| Goa | Pearl of beaches | Beautiful beaches, tourism |
๐ States - Achievements & First Places
๐๏ธ Special geographic systems
Himalayan states
- • Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh
- • Himachal Pradesh
- • Uttarakhand
- • Sikkim
- • Arunachal Pradesh
Desert states
- • Rajasthan - Thar Desert
- • Gujarat – Kutch Desert
- • Largest desert in India
Coastal States (9)
- • Gujarat, Maharashtra
- • Goa, Karnataka
- • Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- • Andhra Pradesh, Odisha
- • West Bengal
Hill States
- • Western Ghats: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra
- • Eastern Ghats: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha
โก Shortcuts - to remember
Area Order (Top 5)
"Ra-ma-ma-u-gu"
- 1.RaJastan - 3,42,239 km²
- 2.MThia Pradesh - 3,08,245 km²
- 3.MMaharashtra - 3,07,713 km²
- 4.UTharapradesh - 2,40,928 km²
- 5.KuZarath – 1,96,244 km²
Population Ranking (Top 5)
"U-ma-bee-may-ra"
- 1.UThapar Pradesh - 23+ crores
- 2.MMaharashtra - 12+ crores
- 3.BCar – 12+ Crores
- 4.MayFor Bengal - 10+ crores
- 5.RaJastan - 7.8 crores
9 coastal states
"Ku-ma-ko-ka-ke-ta-ah-o-me"
- West Coast: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala
- East Coast: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal
๐ฏ Important Points for Exam
- โ Kerala- First state to achieve 100% literacy
- โ Sikkim- Last state to join India (1975)
- โ Goa- Small state in area, but high per capita income
- โ Punjab- Green Revolution State (Paddy & Wheat)
- โ Meghalaya- Serrapunji - Rainiest in the world
- โ Rajasthan- Thar Desert - Desert state of India
- โ Tamil Nadu- Tamil Language - Ancient Literary Language
General Studies
All Parts
1
General Science
Nature of matter, physics, mechanics, electricity, magnetism...
2
Current events
Collection of Recent Events, National Symbols โ Details of S...
3
Geography
Topography โ Natural Formations โ Monsoon, Rainfall, Weather...
4
History and Culture of India
Indus Valley Civilization โ Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals a...
5
Constitution of India
Constitution of India โ Preamble to Constitution โ Main Obje...
6
Indian Economy
Nature of Indian Economy โ Five Year Plans โ A Maturity โ Pl...
7
Indian National Movement
National Revival, Indian National Congress, BR Ambedkar, Bha...
8
History, Culture, Tradition and Socio-Political Movements of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Community History, Thirukkural, Various Reformers, Ref...
9
Development Administration in Tamil Nadu
Social justice and social harmony, education and welfare sys...
10
Competence and mental intelligence
Compression โ Percent โ โโGreater Common Factor โ Greater Co...