India, one of the world’s largest and most diverse countries, boasts a rich cultural and geographical diversity across its 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Each state and Union Territory (UT) has a distinct identity, with its own capital and unique cultural heritage. Understanding these Indian states and their capitals is essential for anyone interested in India’s history, politics, and culture.
In this post, we’ll explore each of India’s states and Union Territories, their capitals, and what makes each one unique.
States and Union Territories of India and Their Capitals
Here’s a table listing the capitals of Indian states and union territories:
| State/Union Territory | Capital |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Dispur |
| Bihar | Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
| Haryana | Chandigarh |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
| Punjab | Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| Telangana | Hyderabad |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | DNH (Silvassa) |
| Daman and Diu | Daman |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
States of India and Their Capitals
- Andhra Pradesh – Amaravati
- Known for its ancient history and beautiful coastal landscapes, Andhra Pradesh’s capital, Amaravati, is set to be a modern, futuristic city. The state is renowned for its rich temples, vibrant festivals, and spicy cuisine.
- Arunachal Pradesh – Itanagar
- Located in the northeastern part of India, Arunachal Pradesh is called the “Land of the Rising Sun.” Its capital, Itanagar, is a blend of modernity and tradition, and the state is famous for its scenic beauty, tribal culture, and biodiversity.
- Assam – Dispur
- Assam, a northeastern state known for its tea gardens and the mighty Brahmaputra River, has its capital in Dispur. The state is famous for the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its silk industry.
- Bihar – Patna
- Bihar, home to ancient universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila, has a capital city, Patna, with a history dating back to 3000 years. The state is known for its role in the development of Buddhism and Jainism.
- Chhattisgarh – Raipur
- Chhattisgarh is known for its forested hills, rich mineral resources, and diverse tribal culture. Raipur, its capital, is a fast-growing city that serves as a commercial hub for the state.
- Goa – Panaji
- Goa, a small yet beautiful state on India’s west coast, is famous for its beaches, Portuguese architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Panaji, the state capital, reflects a blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures.
- Gujarat – Gandhinagar
- Gujarat is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and known for its rich cultural heritage, temples, and wildlife. Its capital, Gandhinagar, is a well-planned city near Ahmedabad, a major industrial and cultural hub.
- Haryana – Chandigarh
- Haryana, known for its fertile land and the famous Kurukshetra battlefield, shares its capital, Chandigarh, with Punjab. Chandigarh is one of the best-planned cities in India and was designed by French architect Le Corbusier.
- Himachal Pradesh – Shimla
- Himachal Pradesh, known for its picturesque landscapes and hill stations, has its capital in Shimla. Shimla is a popular tourist destination with a colonial history and cool climate.
- Jharkhand – Ranchi
- Jharkhand, rich in mineral resources and natural beauty, has Ranchi as its capital. The state is known for its waterfalls, national parks, and a vibrant tribal culture.
- Karnataka – Bengaluru
- Karnataka’s capital, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is India’s technology hub, also known as the “Silicon Valley of India.” The state is known for its historical sites, diverse culture, and coffee plantations.
- Kerala – Thiruvananthapuram
- Kerala, called “God’s Own Country,” is famous for its backwaters, beaches, and Ayurveda. Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, is a cultural and educational center known for its temples and colonial architecture.
- Madhya Pradesh – Bhopal
- Known as the “Heart of India,” Madhya Pradesh is rich in heritage sites and wildlife sanctuaries. Bhopal, the capital, is known for its beautiful lakes, cultural sites, and the tragic gas disaster of 1984.
- Maharashtra – Mumbai (Summer), Nagpur (Winter)
- Maharashtra has Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital, as its primary capital, while Nagpur serves as the winter capital. The state is known for Bollywood, historic sites, and a diverse economy.
- Manipur – Imphal
- Manipur, known as the “Jewel of India,” is home to lush landscapes and traditional dances. Imphal, the capital, is surrounded by scenic beauty and has historical significance in World War II.
- Meghalaya – Shillong
- Meghalaya, meaning “Abode of Clouds,” has Shillong as its capital. The state is known for its stunning waterfalls, caves, and one of the wettest places on earth, Mawsynram.
- Mizoram – Aizawl
- Mizoram, a state with a rich tribal culture, has Aizawl as its capital. Known for its peaceful environment, scenic hills, and bamboo handicrafts, Mizoram is a lesser-known gem of India.
- Nagaland – Kohima
- Nagaland, known for its tribes and festivals, has Kohima as its capital. The state celebrates the vibrant Hornbill Festival, showcasing its unique tribal culture.
- Odisha – Bhubaneswar
- Odisha, known for its ancient temples and the Puri Jagannath Yatra, has Bhubaneswar as its capital. It is known as the “Temple City” and has a rich history in art and architecture.
- Punjab – Chandigarh
- Punjab, a state famous for its Sikh culture, fertile land, and vibrant festivals, shares its capital, Chandigarh, with Haryana. Chandigarh is known for its modern architecture and beautiful gardens.
- Rajasthan – Jaipur
- Rajasthan, known for its royal heritage and palaces, has Jaipur, also called the “Pink City,” as its capital. The state is a major tourist destination with its forts, deserts, and vibrant culture.
- Sikkim – Gangtok
- Sikkim, located in the northeastern part of India, is known for its scenic mountains and Buddhist monasteries. Gangtok, the capital, offers stunning views of the Himalayas.
- Tamil Nadu – Chennai
- Tamil Nadu is known for its classical music, temples, and beaches. Its capital, Chennai, is a major cultural and economic center in southern India and home to the famous Marina Beach.
- Telangana – Hyderabad
- Telangana, India’s youngest state formed in 2014, has Hyderabad as its capital. The city is known for its historic sites, delicious biryani, and vibrant IT industry.
- Tripura – Agartala
- Tripura, a northeastern state, has Agartala as its capital. Known for its palaces, lakes, and temples, Tripura is rich in history and culture.
- Uttar Pradesh – Lucknow
- Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most populous states, has Lucknow as its capital. Known for its historical sites, Nawabi cuisine, and Mughal architecture, UP is a cultural hub.
- Uttarakhand – Dehradun
- Uttarakhand, known for its natural beauty and pilgrimage sites, has Dehradun as its capital. The state is a popular destination for adventure and spiritual tourism.
- West Bengal – Kolkata
- West Bengal, known for its cultural heritage and art, has Kolkata as its capital. Kolkata, also called the “City of Joy,” is famous for its literature, festivals, and colonial architecture.
Union Territories of India and Their Capitals
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Port Blair
- Known for its pristine beaches and rich marine life, Port Blair serves as the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Chandigarh – Chandigarh
- A Union Territory and also the capital of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh is known for its urban planning and modern architecture.
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu – Daman
- Known for its coastal beauty and Portuguese heritage, Daman serves as the capital of this merged Union Territory.
- Lakshadweep – Kavaratti
- Lakshadweep, a group of beautiful islands, has Kavaratti as its capital. The UT is known for its coral reefs and marine biodiversity.
- Delhi – New Delhi
- Delhi, the national capital territory, houses India’s capital, New Delhi, which serves as the political and cultural heart of the country.
- Puducherry – Puducherry
- Puducherry, with its French heritage, is known for its serene beaches and Auroville. The capital, Puducherry, reflects the unique French influence in architecture and lifestyle.
- Jammu and Kashmir – Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
- Known for its natural beauty, Jammu and Kashmir has Srinagar as its summer capital and Jammu as its winter capital.
- Ladakh – Leh
- Known for its barren, breathtaking landscapes, Ladakh has Leh as its capital. Ladakh is famous for its adventure tourism and Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Conclusion
India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories each bring something unique to the country, from the snow-capped mountains of Himachal Pradesh to the beaches of Goa, and from the deserts of Rajasthan to the lush landscapes of the Northeast. Together, they form the rich cultural tapestry that defines India’s identity.
This post is a valuable resource for students preparing for competitive exams, quizzes, or general knowledge enhancement. It provides a comprehensive list of Indian states and capitals along with union territories and capitals in a clear, easy-to-reference format.
Ideal for GK for students and India geography facts, this guide helps boost knowledge for competitive exams and quizzes focused on Indian geography. Whether you’re revising GK study material or exploring state capitals GK quiz content, this post is your go-to for accurate and up-to-date information on India’s states and capitals.
FAQs
1. How many states are there in India, and what are their capitals?
India has 28 states, each with its own capital. For a complete list, refer to the table in this post.
2. How many union territories are there in India, and what are their capitals?
India currently has 8 union territories, each with its own administrative capital. This post provides the full list of union territories along with their capitals.
3. What is the capital of India?
The capital of India is New Delhi.
4. Which state in India has two capitals?
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has two capitals: Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter).
5. What are the capitals of northeastern states in India?
The capitals of northeastern states include Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), Dispur (Assam), Imphal (Manipur), Shillong (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), Kohima (Nagaland), Agartala (Tripura), and Gangtok (Sikkim).
6. How can I remember the capitals of Indian states and union territories easily?
One way to remember them is by using mnemonic devices, associating each state with unique attributes, or breaking the list down into regions for easier memorization.
7. Are there any competitive exams that include questions on Indian states and capitals?
Yes, exams like SSC, UPSC, Banking, and Railways frequently include questions on Indian states, union territories, and their capitals.
8. Where can I find a downloadable list of Indian states and capitals?
You can create your own list from the information provided in this post or download study resources from educational websites that focus on Indian geography for students.
9. Which states and union territories have shared capitals?
Chandigarh is the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Additionally, Delhi serves as the national capital as well as a union territory.
10. How can I test my knowledge of Indian states and capitals?
You can test your knowledge through online quizzes, flashcards, and mock tests available on educational platforms or by using the list provided in this post.