Introduction
Imagine you’re sitting in your classroom, and your teacher asks, “Can anyone name all the states and capitals of India?” Your heart races. You know some Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata but what about the others? You’re not alone. Thousands of students across India face this same challenge during geography lessons, competitive exams, and even casual quiz competitions.
Knowing the states and capitals of India isn’t just about scoring marks in your Social Studies exam. It’s about understanding your own country the diverse cultures, languages, and landscapes that make India truly incredible. Whether you’re preparing for UPSC, SSC, school exams, or simply want to be a well-informed citizen, this complete guide will help you master this essential topic with confidence.
How Many States and Union Territories Does India Have?
As of 2024, India has 28 states and 8 union territories. This is important to remember because many students still believe India has 29 states—a common confusion that arose before the reorganization.
What Changed?
- In 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized from a state into two separate union territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
- This brought the total count to 28 states and 8 union territories.
What’s the Difference?
States have their own elected governments and legislative assemblies. They enjoy more autonomy in decision-making.
Union Territories are governed directly by the Central Government through appointed administrators, though some have their own assemblies.
Complete List of 28 States and Their Capitals
Here’s the complete, updated list of all Indian states with their capitals:
| S.No. | State | Capital | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | Legislative Capital |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | – |
| 3 | Assam | Dispur | – |
| 4 | Bihar | Patna | – |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur | – |
| 6 | Goa | Panaji | – |
| 7 | Gujarat | Gandhinagar | – |
| 8 | Haryana | Chandigarh | Shared Capital |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | Summer; Dharamshala (Winter) |
| 10 | Jharkhand | Ranchi | – |
| 11 | Karnataka | Bengaluru | – |
| 12 | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | – |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | – |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Mumbai | – |
| 15 | Manipur | Imphal | – |
| 16 | Meghalaya | Shillong | – |
| 17 | Mizoram | Aizawl | – |
| 18 | Nagaland | Kohima | – |
| 19 | Odisha | Bhubaneswar | – |
| 20 | Punjab | Chandigarh | Shared Capital |
| 21 | Rajasthan | Jaipur | – |
| 22 | Sikkim | Gangtok | – |
| 23 | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | – |
| 24 | Telangana | Hyderabad | – |
| 25 | Tripura | Agartala | – |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | – |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | Dehradun | Winter; Gairsain (Summer) |
| 28 | West Bengal | Kolkata | – |
Special Capital Arrangements
Chandigarh serves as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana. It’s also a union territory itself.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have seasonal capitals to accommodate weather conditions.
8 Union Territories and Their Capitals
India’s union territories are smaller administrative divisions with unique governance structures:
| S.No. | Union Territory | Capital/Administrative Center |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| 2 | Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| 3 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Daman |
| 4 | Delhi (National Capital Territory) | New Delhi |
| 5 | Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) |
| 6 | Ladakh | Leh |
| 7 | Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| 8 | Puducherry | Puducherry |
Main Points to Remember
Delhi is officially called the National Capital Territory (NCT) and has its own elected government and assembly.
Jammu & Kashmir was converted to a UT in 2019, making it the most recent change in India’s administrative map.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into a single UT in 2020.
States and Capitals with Official Languages
Understanding the linguistic diversity of India helps you remember states better. Here’s a quick overview:
North India
- Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow): Hindi
- Punjab (Chandigarh): Punjabi
- Haryana (Chandigarh): Hindi
- Rajasthan (Jaipur): Hindi
South India
- Tamil Nadu (Chennai): Tamil
- Karnataka (Bengaluru): Kannada
- Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram): Malayalam
- Telangana (Hyderabad): Telugu, Urdu
- Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati): Telugu
East India
- West Bengal (Kolkata): Bengali
- Odisha (Bhubaneswar): Odia
- Bihar (Patna): Hindi
Northeast India
- Assam (Dispur): Assamese
- Manipur (Imphal): Meitei (Manipuri)
- Meghalaya (Shillong): English
- Nagaland (Kohima): English
West India
- Maharashtra (Mumbai): Marathi
- Gujarat (Gandhinagar): Gujarati
- Goa (Panaji): Konkani
Easy Tricks to Remember All States and Capitals
Region-Wise Grouping Method
Group 1: Seven Sisters (Northeast) Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya
Memory Tip: A-A-N-M-M-T-M (Assam Arunachal Nagaland Manipur Mizoram Tripura Meghalaya)
Alphabetical Mnemonics
For capitals starting with ‘B’: Bhopal, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar (Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha)
For states starting with ‘M’: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram (Mumbai, Bhopal, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl)
Visual Association Technique
- Gujarat → Gandhinagar: Think of Mahatma Gandhi, who was from Gujarat
- Rajasthan → Jaipur: Pink City, royal heritage
- Kerala → Thiruvananthapuram: God’s Own Country, longest capital name
Rhyme Method for Beginners
“Punjab and Haryana both share Chandigarh, Bihar’s capital Patna isn’t far…”
Create your own rhymes they’re proven to boost retention by 70%.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Mistake 1: Counting 29 States
Many students still think India has 29 states. The correct number is 28 states after J&K became a UT.
Mistake 2: Mumbai vs Maharashtra
Students often write “Mumbai” as a state. Remember: Maharashtra is the state, Mumbai is the capital.
Mistake 3: Confusing Capitals
- Uttar Pradesh capital is Lucknow, not Kanpur
- Gujarat capital is Gandhinagar, not Ahmedabad
- Chhattisgarh capital is Raipur, not Bilaspur
Mistake 4: Spelling Errors
Common misspellings include:
- Thiruvananthapuram (not Trivandrum)
- Bhubaneswar (not Bhubaneshwar)
- Itanagar (not Itanagar)
Mistake 5: Overlooking Union Territories
Don’t forget to learn the 8 union territories they frequently appear in competitive exams.
Why Learning States and Capitals Matters
For Academic Success
This topic appears in Class 6 to 10 geography exams, UPSC prelims, SSC exams, and state-level competitive tests.
For Real-Life Knowledge
Knowing your country’s geography helps during travels, understanding news, and participating in informed discussions.
For Competitive Exams
Questions like “What is the capital of Uttarakhand?” or “How many states does India have?” are standard in banking, railway, and civil services exams.
Building National Pride
Understanding the diversity of India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari—creates a deeper connection with your country.
Frequently Asked Questions about State and Capitals of India?
What are the 29 states and capitals of India?
India currently has 28 states, not 29. The confusion arises because Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized as a union territory in 2019. The 28 states include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal with their respective capitals.
Do we have 28 or 29 states in India?
India has 28 states as of 2024. The number changed from 29 to 28 when Jammu and Kashmir was converted into two separate union territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) on October 31, 2019, following the reorganization act. Students preparing for current exams should remember 28 as the correct count.
What are the 32 states of India?
There is no concept of 32 states in India. India has 28 states and 8 union territories, totaling 36 administrative divisions. The confusion might arise from outdated information or miscounting. Always refer to the latest government data showing 28 states including the newest state, Telangana (formed in 2014).
What are the 28 states and capitals of India PDF?
The 28 states and capitals include: 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), and 16 others. You can download official PDF lists from NCERT or government education portals for exam preparation.
Which is the smallest state in India by area?
Goa is the smallest state in India by area, covering approximately 3,702 square kilometers. Its capital is Panaji. Despite being the smallest state, Goa is a popular tourist destination and has a high literacy rate, making it significant in India’s cultural and economic landscape.
Which capital is shared by two states?
Chandigarh is shared by two states: Punjab and Haryana. It also serves as a union territory itself. This unique arrangement was made when Punjab was reorganized in 1966. Both states use Chandigarh as their administrative headquarters while the city maintains its status as a UT.
What is the newest state in India?
Telangana is the newest state in India, formed on June 2, 2014, after being carved out of Andhra Pradesh. Its capital is Hyderabad, which serves as a joint capital for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for a transitional period until Andhra Pradesh establishes its new capital at Amaravati.
Why is Jammu and Kashmir a union territory now?
Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized from a state into two union territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) on October 31, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. This change was made to provide better governance and development. J&K has a legislative assembly, while Ladakh is administered directly by the Central Government.
Conclusion
Mastering the states and capitals of India is more than a school requirement it’s a journey through the incredible diversity that makes our nation unique. From the snow-capped peaks of Himachal Pradesh to the coastal beauty of Kerala, each state tells a different story.
Remember, the key to learning this topic is consistent revision, visual associations, and practice. Use maps, create flashcards, play quiz games with friends, and most importantly, connect each state with something memorable a festival, a famous person, or a landmark.
Whether you’re preparing for your Class 9 finals, appearing for UPSC, or simply want to be a knowledgeable Indian citizen, this guide gives you everything you need. Start with five states a day, use mnemonics, and within a week, you’ll confidently answer any question about India’s states and capitals.