States and Capitals of India
India, the 7th largest country by land area and the 2nd most populous, is known for its vast diversity and cultural richness. It is divided into 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each with its unique identity, history, and administrative center. Governed by a parliamentary system, managing such a large country from a single location can be challenging. Consequently, the Indian Constitution allows for the establishment of states to better manage regional affairs. Knowing the states and their capitals is essential for general awareness and is a common topic in competitive exams.
States and Their Capitals:
- 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
Union Territories and Their Capitals:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Port Blair
- Chandigarh - Chandigarh
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu - Daman
- Lakshadweep - Kavaratti
- Delhi - New Delhi
- Puducherry - Puducherry
- Ladakh - Leh
- Jammu and Kashmir - Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
Question for States & Their Capitals
Try yourself:
Which city serves as the administrative capital of Andhra Pradesh?Explanation
- Amaravati serves as the administrative capital of Andhra Pradesh.
- Hyderabad, on the other hand, is the de facto capital of the state.
- Amaravati was proposed as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 and is currently under development.
- Itanagar is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, while Dispur is the capital of Assam.
- Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: Amaravati.
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Indian States, Chief Ministers and their Capitals
India has a total of 28 states and 8 union territories. Rajasthan is the largest state in India in terms of area and Goa is the smallest state. The complete list of 28 Indian States and their capitals along with the Chief Ministers are as follows.
Question for States & Their Capitals
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Which state is known for its beautiful beaches and historic forts?Explanation
- Goa is known for its beautiful beaches and historic forts.
- The state is famous for its scenic coastline and attracts tourists from all over the world.
- Some popular beaches in Goa include Calangute, Baga, and Anjuna.
- These beaches offer a perfect blend of sun, sand, and sea, making them a favorite destination for beach lovers.
- Apart from beaches, Goa is also known for its well-preserved historic forts like Aguada Fort and Chapora Fort.
- These forts were built during the Portuguese rule and provide a glimpse into the state's rich history.
- The combination of stunning beaches and historic forts makes Goa a unique and popular tourist destination.
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Indian Union Territories and Capitals
At Present India now has 8 Union Territories. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has been bifurcated into two Union Territories (UT) of J&K and Ladakh. The newly formed union territories have been formed under a reorganization act passed by the Parliament on 5-6 August 2020.
Question for States & Their Capitals
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Which state in India is known for its abundant mineral resources, steel plants, and rich biodiversity?Explanation
- Jharkhand is the state in India known for its abundant mineral resources, steel plants, and rich biodiversity.
- The state is rich in mineral resources like coal, iron ore, mica, bauxite, and limestone, which contribute to its industrial development.
- Jharkhand is home to several steel plants, including the Tata Steel plant in Jamshedpur, which is one of the largest steel plants in India.
- The state is also known for its rich biodiversity, with dense forests and a variety of flora and fauna.
- Jharkhand has several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, such as Betla National Park and Palamau Tiger Reserve, where you can find a diverse range of wildlife species.
- Overall, Jharkhand's mineral resources, steel plants, and biodiversity make it an important state in India's industrial and ecological landscape.
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States and Capitals of India Map
Question for States & Their Capitals
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Which state is known for its ancient historical sites and cultural significance?Explanation
- Madhya Pradesh is known for its ancient historical sites and cultural significance.
- The state is home to the famous Khajuraho temples, which are renowned for their intricate carvings and architectural beauty.
- Madhya Pradesh also boasts of several other historical sites such as the Sanchi Stupa, Gwalior Fort, and Mandu, which showcase the rich heritage of the state.
- The state's capital, Bhopal, has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous museums, art galleries, and cultural festivals.
- Madhya Pradesh is also known for its traditional folk dances, music, and handicrafts, which are an integral part of the state's cultural identity.
- Overall, Madhya Pradesh's historical sites and cultural significance make it a popular destination for tourists and enthusiasts of history and culture.
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Indian States with their Specialities
Each Indian State has a unique historical and cultural background. For example, New Delhi, India's capital, has a blend of modernity and history, Iconic landmarks such as India Gate and the Istana represent the country's past difficulties as well as its future hopes. Mumbai, the state capital of Maharashtra, is the country's financial and entertainment epicenter, as well as the home of Bollywood and India's largest stock exchange.
Question for States & Their Capitals
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Which state is known for its ancient temples like Jagannath and Konark Sun?Explanation
- Odisha is known for its ancient temples like Jagannath and Konark Sun.
- The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the most famous temples in India and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
- The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its architectural grandeur and intricate carvings.
- These temples are important pilgrimage sites and attract a large number of devotees and tourists from all over the world.
- The mention of these temples in the passage indicates that Odisha is the state known for them.
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After getting the list of Indian States & Union Territories with their capitals, let us first understand how to segregate a state from a Union territory. Out of the eight union territories in India, three union territories have their own legislatures these are Delhi, Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) and Jammu and Kashmir. Each union territory and state has a capital of its own.
Question for States & Their Capitals
Try yourself:
Which state is known for its palaces in Udaipur and Jaipur?Explanation
- The correct answer is Option A: Rajasthan.
- Rajasthan is known for its palaces in Udaipur and Jaipur.
- Udaipur and Jaipur are famous cities in Rajasthan that boast stunning palaces.
- These palaces showcase the rich architectural heritage of the state.
- Udaipur is renowned for its Lake Palace and City Palace, while Jaipur is famous for its Hawa Mahal and Amber Palace.
- These palaces attract tourists from all over the world and offer a glimpse into the royal history of Rajasthan.
- Rajasthan's palaces are a testament to the grandeur and opulence of the Rajput era.
- Therefore, Rajasthan is the state known for its palaces in Udaipur and Jaipur.
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Latest Updates on Union Territories
As of recent changes:
- Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were merged into a single Union Territory, reducing the total number of Union Territories from 9 to 8. This merger took effect on January 26, 2020.
- On August 5, 2019, the central government abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. Following this, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into two separate Union Territories:
- Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
- Union Territory of Ladakh, which officially gained its status on October 31, 2019.