List of States and Capitals of India 2026 With Complete Updated Guide

The States and Capitals of India 2026 form a core part of Indian polity and general awareness. This topic is especially important for aspirants preparing for competitive examinations such as banking, SSC, railways, and other government jobs. Since administrative details may change over time, referring to the latest and correct list is essential. A well-organized and updated overview helps candidates revise efficiently and avoid factual errors during exams.

States and Capitals of India

India is a diverse nation made up of several states and union territories, each with its own administrative identity. Every state has a designated capital city that functions as the center of governance, while union territories are administered directly by the central government. Knowing the states and their capitals is an important part of general awareness and Indian polity.

Key Points to Remember:

• India is divided into states and union territories for effective administration
• Each state and union territory has a capital city where government offices operate
• Some states have separate seasonal capitals for administrative convenience
• States and union territories are further divided into districts and sub-divisions
• This topic is commonly asked in banking, SSC, railways, and other competitive exams

List of States and Capitals Of India

India is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. In 2019, a significant change occurred with the implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. This led to the creation of two new union territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, on 31st October, making this date an important milestone in the country’s history.

States of India and their Capitals

Union Territories of India and their Capitals

Union Territories are administrative regions that function under the direct authority of the Central Government. Unlike states, they have limited legislative powers and are governed by an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India. This system ensures efficient governance in regions of strategic, political, or administrative importance.

Important Points:

• India currently has 8 Union Territories
• Union Territories are directly governed by the Central Government
• Most UTs are administered by a Lieutenant Governor or Administrator
• Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh became Union Territories after reorganisation in August 2020
• Each Union Territory has a designated capital for administrative functions

About India

• India is officially known as the Republic of India
• It is located in South Asia
• India follows a federal constitutional system
• The country is governed under a parliamentary democracy
• India is the world’s largest democracy
• The total geographical area is about 3.28 million sq. km
• India is the second-most populous country in the world
• At present, India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories
• Article 370 was revoked, leading to the formation of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as Union Territories
• Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu were merged into one Union Territory
• Each state and union territory has its own capital city
• Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh share a common High Court

Types of Capital

Given below is a brief differences between the different kinds of capitals.

• An administrative capital refers to the one where all the offices of the executive government are situated.
• A legislative capital refers to the one where the state assembly convenes.
• A judicial capital refers to the one where the territorial high courts are located.

All the states, along with two union territories, Pondicherry and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, have an elected form of government and legislatures. They are headed by their elected Chief Minister, who is elected for a term of five years. The Central government directly rules all the other union territories and has a representative in each UT known as the governor. Under the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, the states were reorganised based on the language that is used there.

Capital of India

New Delhi is the capital of India. The foundation stone of New Delhi was laid by Emperor George V during the Delhi Durbar of 1911. British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker designed it. Finally, Viceroy and Governor-General of India Lord Irwin inaugurated it on 13 February 1931.

Financial Capital of India

Difference Between States and Union Territories

The table below highlights detailed information about the difference between the states and Union Territories of India.

States and Capitals of India: Articles in the Constitution

Under Part 1 of the Constitution, Articles 1 to 4  describe India and its territories.

• Article 1 describes India as the “Union of States” and not “Federation of States” The names of states and their territories are mentioned in the first schedule of the Constitution.
• Article 2 allows the parliament to ‘admit into the Union of India or establish new states on such terms as it thinks or finds fit.’ Hence, it gives power to parliament to establish new states.
• Article 3 permits the parliament to
  a) form a new state by the separation of the existing territory
  b) increase the area of the state as seems fit
  c) diminish the area of any state as seems fit
  d) alter the boundary of any state as seems fit
  e) alter the name of any state as seems fit

Specialities Of Different Indian States

India is a land of diversity, where each state holds its own unique charm and attractions. From the bustling metropolises of Maharashtra to the serene backwaters of Kerala, every state showcases a distinctive cultural, historical, and geographical identity.  Here in this table, we have tried to cover in a minute way the rich diversity of our country.

List of the Indian States and their Languages

In India, every state has its own language, and our country is also well known because of its culture, languages and religion. The table below shows the language of each state.

Delhi, Puducherry, J & K are different from other Union Territories

1. In India, the majority of the states and three union territories, i.e. Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir, possess elected legislature and government.
2. Currently, there are a total of eight union territories in India, out of which 3, i.e. Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Puducherry, have their elected members and the Chief Minister, and these are granted with partial statehood by an amendment to the Constitution.
3. Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Puducherry are the only union territories that possess their own legislative assembly and executive council and operate like states. The remaining union territories are controlled and regulated by the Union of the country, which is why named as union territories.