States and Capitals of India

India is a large and diverse country with 28 states and 8 union territories. Each state and union territory has its own capital where the government offices are located. Knowing the states and capitals of India is important for everyone and also for aspirants preparing for various competitive exams. This article gives you a complete and updated list of Indian states and their capitals.

States and Capitals of India

India is known for its rich culture, many languages, and different traditions in every region. Each state in India has its own history, festivals, food, clothes, and way of life. The capital of a state is the city where the main government offices and leaders work. Some states have one capital while others may have two, like summer and winter capitals. Union territories are smaller parts of the country that are directly controlled by the central government, and they also have their own capitals. Learning the states and capitals of India helps us understand our country better.

The states and union territories are further divided into smaller administrative units, such as districts and subdivisions, for better management. In this article, we bring you a detailed list of India’s states and union territories.

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. Keep reading this article for a complete list of the States and Capitals of India, along with details about the Union Territories.

States of India and their Capitals

Union Territories of India and their Capitals

Union Territories of India are special regions that are directly managed by the central government. Unlike states, they do not have their own full government and have less power. Most Union Territories are looked after by a Lieutenant Governor or an Administrator who is chosen by the President of India. These regions are created for better control and smooth administration by the central government.

At present, there are 8 Union Territories in India. Two new Union Territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were added on 5 and 6 August 2020 after the Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. Below is a detailed list of all the 8 Union Territories along with their capitals to help you understand better.

About India

India is mainly located in South Asia and is officially known as the Republic of India. It comprises a total area of 3,287,263 sq. km and has an estimated population of 135.26 crores (2019), which makes it the world’s second-most populous country.
India is a federal constitutional republic and is known as the world’s most populous democracy. It is governed by the parliamentary system. Earlier, there were 28 states and 8 Union Territories, but the Government of India revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and declared it a union territory along with Ladakh. After the implementation of the decision, currently, there are 28 states and 8 Union Territories, as Daman & Diu is merged with Dadar and Nagar Haveli.

Each state and union territory has an administrative, legislative, and judicial capital of its own. (The Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have a common high court as per the new guidelines)

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.