List of States and Capitals of India with Union Territories

India, located in South Asia, is the 7th Largest Country in the World, covering an area of 3.287 million sq.km, and also the most populated country in the world with a population of about 143.81 crores approximately. Officially known as the Republic of India, It is governed by a parliament. It is further divided into States and Union territories. as of 2025, there are a total of 28 States of India and 8 Union territories. Each state has its own capital, which functions as the administrative center of government for that region. The National Capital, New Delhi, is situated within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Telangana is the most recently formed State of India which was created on June 2, 2014. 

States and Capitals of India 

India is a vast country having a rich history, immense culture, and varied languages. India is composed of 28 States and 8 union territories, each having its own Capital city which acts as the headquarters for the government and plays a key role in administration, culture, and economy. India follows a federal system where responsibilities and powers are divided between the central government and the state government. The central government, based in the national capital New Delhi, looks forward with matters of national importance such as defense, foreign affairs, and national finance. At the state level, governance is headed by a Chief Minister, while a Governor represents the President of India at the state level.

List of States and Capitals of India 

All 28 States of India represent their rich culture and geographical diversity. The cities of each state serve not only as administrative headquarters but also as important centers of culture, history, commerce, and development, highlighting the diverse contributions of each state to the nation as a whole. Below we have provided a List of States and capitals of India:

List of Union Territories and Capitals

New Delhi is a Union Territory and holds the title of being the capital of India. Other Union Territories include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Each Union Territory in India has a unique feature and holds its own culture, language, and religions. Below we have shared the List of Union Territories and their Capitals in the table:

Difference Between States and Union Territories

India is the largest democracy in the world, whose administration has been divided into States and Union Territories. Each state has its own federal government,t which is accountable to the union government, whereas Union Territories are directly governed by the central government, some of which have legislative assemblies. Below in the table, the Difference Between States and Union Territories has been highlighted:

How States and Capitals Evolved in India

In 1956, India comprised 14 states and 6 union territories, as reorganized under the States Reorganisation Act based primarily on linguistic bases. Over the decades, additional states have been created to address linguistic, cultural, administrative, and regional bases. 

For instance, Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, despite both states sharing Telugu as their official language, to address specific socio-political and developmental concerns. 

Jharkhand was formed from Bihar in 2000 due to a distinct cultural identity and the demand for better administrative governance. Presently, India consists of 28 states and 8 union territories, each contributing to the nation’s rich diversity and federal structure.

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Largest State of India

Rajasthan is the Largest State of India by area. It covers an area of approximately 342,239 sq.km, which is 10.4 of % total area of India. It is present in the northwest part of the county and is known for its desert landscapes and historical forts. Jaipur serves as the Capital of the State. The total population of  Rajasthan is about 68,548,43. 

Smallest State of India 

Goa is the Smallest State of India in terms of area. It covers approximately an area of 3,702 square kilometers and is located on the western coast of India, specifically in the Konkan region, bordering the Arabian Sea. It has a population of about 1,575,000. Panaji serves as the Capital of Goa. It is known for its beautiful beaches and rich Portuguese history.

Largest Union Territory of India

The Largest Union Territory of India in terms of area is Jammu and Kashmir, covering a total area of about 42,241 square kilometers. The population of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the 2011 census, was 12,267,013. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government removed Article 370, which gave special status to this region. After this, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This change officially took place on October 31, 2019.

Smallest Union Territory of India

The Smallest Union Territory of India in terms of area and population is Lakshadweep, covering a total area of only 32 sq km and having a population of approximately 64,473.  It is basically just a group of 36 islands located in the Arabian Sea, about 300-400 km off the Kerala coast.