India is made up of 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Each state and Union Territory has its own unique culture, traditions, and languages, and it is governed by its own capitals.

States and Capitals of India

1. Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is a state on the east coast of Southern India. It is the seventh-largest and the tenth-most populous state in the country. Telugu is the official language. Amaravati is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is located in the Guntur district. It is located on the banks of the Krishna River.

2. Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh was declared a state in February 1987. It borders Myanmar, Bhutan, and Tibet. English is the official language. Itanagar is the capital and largest city of Arunachal Pradesh.

3. Assam

Located in Northeastern India, Assam has 35 districts. Assamese and Bodo are the official languages. Dispur, located near Guwahati, is the capital of Assam. It is known for its tea gardens and rich culture.

4. Bihar

Bihar is the 12th largest state in India and is split by the river Ganges. Hindi and Urdu are official languages. Patna, earlier known as Pataliputra, is one of the oldest cities in the world, the capital of Bihar, and a centre for education and politics.

5. Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is one of the fastest-growing states in India. Earlier, it was part of Adhya Pradesh, and statehood was granted in November 2000. The official language is Chhattisgarhi. Raipur is the capital of Chhattisgarh, famous for its industries and being India’s steel hub.

6. Goa

Goa is located on the southwestern coast of India. It is the smallest state by area. Konkani is the official language. Panaji is the capital of Goa and is famous for its beaches, churches, and vibrant tourism industry.

7. Gujarat

Gujarat is situated along the western coast of India. It has the longest coastline in the country. Gujarati is the official language. Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, is a well-planned city that stands as the state’s political and economic hub.

8. Haryana

Haryana is located in northern India. Hindi is the official language. Haryana and Punjab share Chandigarh as the capital. It is the epitome of planning and modern architecture.

9. Himachal Pradesh

In the Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is bordered by J&K, Ladakh, Punjab, and Haryana. Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is known for its hill stations and scenic beauty.

10. Jharkhand

The division of Bihar formed Jharkhand in November 2000. Hindi is the official language. Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, is famous for its natural beauty and waterfalls.

11. Karnataka

Karnataka is situated in Southwestern India. Kannada is the official language. Bengaluru, also known as the Silicon Valley of India, is the capital of Karnataka and a central hub for information technology.

12. Kerala

Kerala is situated on the Malabar coast of India. Malayalam is the official language. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beaches.

13. Madhya Pradesh

Madya Pradesh is the second-largest state in Central India. Bhopal is the capital of Madhya Pradesh and is also known as the city of lakes.

14. Maharashtra

Maharashtra is India’s most industrialized state. Marathi is the official language. Mumbai is the capital and the financial capital of India.

15. Manipur

Manipur is in Northeast India. Meitei is the official language. Imphal is the capital of Manipur.

16. Meghalaya

Meghalaya was formed by the separation of 2 districts from Assam in 1972. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and is known for its pleasant climate and beautiful landscapes.

17. Mizoram

Mizoram is the most heavily forested state in India and is the home to the maximum number of tribes. Mizo is the official language. Aizawl is the capital of Mizoram and is known for its serene atmosphere.

18. Nagaland

Nagaland was a part of Assam until 1957. It has a rich variety of natural resources. Kohima is the capital of Nagaland and is known for its historical importance.

19. Odisha

Odisha is the eighth-largest state in India. Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is known for its ancient temples and architecture.

20. Punjab

Punjab is the land of 5 rivers. It is the most important agricultural region of India. Chandigarh is the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. It is the most planned city in India.

21. Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the largest state in India and is bordered by Pakistan. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is known as the Pink City due to its pink-coloured buildings.

22. Sikkim

Bordered by Tibet, Sikkim is the second smallest state. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim. It offers spectacular views of the Himalayas and has a rich Buddhist culture.

23. Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is situated on the southeastern coast of India. Tamil is the official language. The capital of Tamil Nadu is Chennai, one of India’s largest cities, famous for its culture and beaches.

24. Telangana

Telangana was formed in 2014 after a division in Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and is known to be a blend of traditional and modern cultures. It is famous for its IT sector and historical monuments.

25. Tripura

Tripura is the third smallest state in India. Agartala is the capital of Tripura and is famous for its Agar trees.

26. Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh was formed in 1950 and is the most populous state in India. Lucknow is Uttar Pradesh’s capital, renowned for its Mughal architecture and rich cultural history.

27. Uttarakhand

Earlier, it was known as Uttaranchal and was formed as a division of Uttar Pradesh. Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand and is known for its British settlements.

28. West Bengal

West Bengal is situated in Eastern India. Bengali is the official language. Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and India’s cultural capital.

Union Territories of India and Their Capitals

India has 8 Union Territories, which are directly governed by the Central Government. Each Union Territory has its own capital, which plays a significant role in administering the region.

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Capital – Port Blair Port Blair, located in the Andaman Islands, is the capital of this Union Territory.
2. Chandigarh – Capital – Chandigarh Chandigarh serves as the capital for both Haryana and Punjab, and it is a Union Territory.
3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu – Capital – Daman Daman is the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, a coastal Union Territory.
4. Lakshadweep – Capital – Kavaratti Kavaratti is the capital of the Lakshadweep Islands, known for its beautiful coral reefs and pristine beaches.
5. Delhi – Capital – New Delhi New Delhi, the capital of Indian states, is the political and administrative heart of the nation. It has a rich and varied culture and many historical monuments.
6. Puducherry – Capital – Puducherry Puducherry, a Union Territory with French colonial heritage, has its capital in the city of the same name.
7. Ladakh – Leh Leh is the capital of Ladakh, a region known for its barren yet stunning landscapes, situated in the northernmost part of India.
8. Lakshadweep – Kavaratti Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep, a series of small islands off the southwestern coast of India.

To Sum Up

India’s diversity, reflected in its states and Union Territories, is truly remarkable. Each region offers unique cultural experiences, languages, and traditions that shape the nation’s identity. At Footprints Preschool, we aim to nurture young minds by introducing them to India’s rich heritage and diversity through interactive learning. Our curriculum encourages curiosity and creativity, ensuring children grow with a deep understanding of their roots while preparing for a global future.