States and Capitals of India, List of 28 States & 8 Union Territories

India comprises 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each with its own administrative structure. Every state has a designated capital that functions as its administrative, political, and often cultural hub. Together, the states and Union Territories showcase India’s vast geographical, linguistic, and cultural diversity. Knowing the states and their capitals is important for understanding the country’s geography, governance, and regional identity.

List of 28 States and Their Capitals 

All 28 States of India represent its rich culture and geographical diversity. The cities of each state serve not only as administrative headquarters but also as important centers of culture, history, commerce, and development, highlighting the diverse contributions of each state to the nation as a whole. Here below we have provided a List of States and Capital of India:

List of 8 Union Territories and Their Capitals

New Delhi is a Union Territory and holds the title of being the capital of India. Other Union Territories include, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. Below we have shared the List of Union Territory and Capitals in the table:

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Difference Between States and Union Territories

India is the largest democracy in the world whose administration has been divided into States and Union Territories. Each state has their own federal government which is accountable to the union government, whereas Union Territories are directly governed by the central government, some of which have legislative assemblies. Below in the table the Difference Between States and Union Territories has been highlighted:

Largest State of India

Rajasthan is the Largest State of India by area, It covers approximately an area of 342,239 sq.km which is 10.4% total area of India. It is present in the northwest part of the county and is known for its desert landscapes and historical forts. Jaipur serves as the Capital of the State. The total population of  Rajasthan is about 68,548,43. 

Smallest State of India 

Goa is the Smallest State of India in terms of area, It covers approximately an area of 3,702 square kilometers and is located on the western coast of India, specifically in the Konkan region, bordering the Arabian Sea. It has a population of about 1,575,000. Panaji serves as the Capital of Goa. It is known for its beautiful beaches and rich Portuguese history.

Largest Union Territory of India

The Largest Union Territory of India in terms of area is Jammu And Kashmir covering a total area of about 42,241 square kilometers, The population of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the census 2011, was 12,267,013. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government removed Article 370, which gave special status to this region. After this, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This change officially took place on October 31, 2019.

Smallest Union Territory of India

The Smallest Union Territory of India in terms of area and population is Lakshadweep covering a total area of only 32 sq.km and having a population of approximately 64,473.  It is basically just  a group of 36 islands located in the Arabian Sea, about 300-400 km off the Kerala coast.