India consists of 28 states and 8 Union Territories, as of 2026. The 28 states are: 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. The 8 Union Territories are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Together, these states and Union Territories, each with its own administrative capital, form India’s federal administrative structure, reflecting the country’s vast geographical, cultural, and political diversity. The states and capitals of India 2026 PDF is important for bank exam preparation.

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How Many States and Union Territories Are There in India?

There are 28 states and 8 union territories in India as of February 2026. Each state has its own capital. For example, Amaravati is the capital of Andhra Pradesh, Patna is the capital of Bihar, Ranchi is the capital of Jharkhand, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu, etc. India operates as a federal union characterised by a parliamentary system, in which states maintain their own elected administrations, while Union Territories are primarily governed by the central authority.

Complete List of 28 States and Their Capitals of India 2026

The complete list of states and capitals of India is mentioned in the table below in alphabetical order, with their capitals and date of formation.

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List of 8 Union Territories and Their Capitals 2026

Currently, India has a total of eight Union Territories. In August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir were reorganised into two Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, after the abrogation of Article 370. Later, in January 2020, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one Union Territory. As a result, India now has eight Union Territories.

Indian Political Map Showing States and Capitals of India

Here is the Indian map that is plotted with the 28 states and union territories with their capitals.

Newly Formed States in India

Telangana is India's newest state, established on June 2, 2014, from the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh. Other recent states include Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, all created in 2000. Although not a new state, Jammu & Kashmir was reorganised into two union territories- J&K and Ladakh- on October 31, 2019.

• Telangana (2014): Became the 29th state (now 28th after J&K's reorganisation) from Andhra Pradesh.

• Chhattisgarh (Nov 2000): Created from eastern Madhya Pradesh.

• Uttarakhand (Nov 2000): Formed from northwestern Uttar Pradesh (initially known as Uttaranchal).

• Jharkhand (Nov 2000): Formed from the southern districts of Bihar.

Regional Grouping of Indian States with their Capitals

North India

• Jammu & Kashmir – Srinagar/Jammu

• Himachal Pradesh – Shimla

• Punjab – Chandigarh

• Haryana – Chandigarh

• Uttarakhand – Dehradun

• Uttar Pradesh – Lucknow

South India

• Andhra Pradesh – Amaravati

• Karnataka – Bengaluru

• Kerala – Thiruvananthapuram

• Tamil Nadu – Chennai

• Telangana – Hyderabad

East India

• Bihar – Patna

• Jharkhand – Ranchi

• Odisha – Bhubaneswar

• West Bengal – Kolkata

West India

• Rajasthan – Jaipur

• Gujarat – Gandhinagar

• Maharashtra – Mumbai

• Goa – Panaji

Central India

• Madhya Pradesh – Bhopal

• Chhattisgarh – Raipur

Northeast India

• Arunachal Pradesh – Itanagar

• Assam – Dispur

• Manipur – Imphal

• Meghalaya – Shillong

• Mizoram – Aizawl

• Nagaland – Kohima

• Tripura – Agartala

• Sikkim – Gangtok

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Largest Union Territory in India 

Ladakh is a union territory of India with a total of 59,146 sq. km.

• Whereas, Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory with 32 sq. km.

• Here we arranged the union territories of India from largest to smallest as per the area, along with the states and capitals of India in 2026.

• Refer to the table provided below and get to know the largest UT in India with its area.

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Largest State in India by Population

As per the 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in India in terms of population, with a total of 199,812,341 people.

• Sikkim is the smallest state in India in terms of population, with a total of 610,577 people.

• The list of states in terms of population is given below.

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Largest Union Territory in India by Population

The largest union territory in India by population is Delhi, with a total population of 16,787,941 people. The smallest union territory in India in terms of population is Lakshadweep, with a total of 64,473 people.

Recent Changes in States and Capitals

India’s administrative map has seen important updates in recent years. In 2024, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was officially renamed from Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram, honouring the islands’ role in India’s freedom struggle and removing colonial-era influence.

After the 2024 elections, Andhra Pradesh reaffirmed Amaravati as its only capital, ending the proposed three-capital system and focusing development on Amaravati as the permanent administrative centre.

Jammu and Kashmir, which remains a Union Territory as of late 2025, held its first assembly elections in a decade in 2024. Omar Abdullah was sworn in as Chief Minister, with Srinagar and Jammu continuing as seasonal capitals until full statehood is restored.

As of 2026, India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Several regions follow a dual-capital system for administrative efficiency, including Bhararisen (Gairsain) and Dehradun in Uttarakhand, and Leh and Kargil as headquarters in Ladakh.

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Difference Between States and Union Territories of India

7 Sister States and Capitals of India

The Seven Sister States of Northeast India are among the most popular tourist destinations, known for their natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and unique cultural heritage. These states are blessed with scenic landscapes, lush hills, waterfalls, wildlife, and vibrant tribal traditions.

The capitals of the Seven Sister States are: Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), Dispur (Assam), Imphal (Manipur), Shillong (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), Kohima (Nagaland), and Agartala (Tripura).

These northeastern states share close cultural, geographical, and economic ties, making them highly interdependent. Although Sikkim is also located in Northeast India, it is not included among the Seven Sister States because it does not share borders with the other six states.

Are States and Capitals Important for Exams?

Knowledge of Indian states and their capitals is an essential part of the General Knowledge and Static Awareness syllabus for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State-level exams. These are direct, scoring questions that help candidates secure quick marks without complex calculations or lengthy problem-solving.

Understanding state capitals also improves your grasp of Current Affairs. Most government announcements, policies, and regional news are linked to capital cities, so knowing them helps you instantly relate news events to the correct state and boosts your overall exam preparation efficiency.

In addition, states and capitals play a crucial role in Geography and map-based questions. Capitals act as important reference points for visualising India’s political boundaries, regional divisions, and cultural diversity. This basic yet powerful knowledge is a must for aspirants aiming to perform well in written exams as well as interviews.

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States And Capitals of India 2026 In Hindi

Union Territories of India with Capitals In Hindi

Largest State in India in Terms of Area In Hindi

Largest Union Territory in India in terms of Area in Hindi

Largest Union Territory in India by Population in Hindi

Check out the largest union territory in India in terms of population in Hindi.

Latest States And Capitals of India 2026 In Tamil

இங்கு இந்திய மாநிலங்களையும் தலைநகரங்களையும் தமிழில் சேர்த்துள்ளோம். மொத்தம் 28 மாநிலங்கள் மற்றும் 8 யூனியன் பிரதேசங்கள் உள்ளன.

8 Union Territories of India with Capitals In Tamil

இந்தியாவின் 8 யூனியன் பிரதேசங்களும் அவற்றின் தலைநகரங்களும் கீழே அட்டவணைப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன.

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Importance of States and Capitals for Competitive Exams

Knowing India's 28 states, 8 Union Territories, and their capitals is vital for exams like Bank, UPSC, SSC, Railway, etc.

• It forms the foundation of Static General Knowledge, geography, and current affairs.

• It helps in answering questions on administration, maps, regional developments, and understanding India's political, cultural, and geographic diversity.

• This knowledge is essential for exam sections on geography, political structure, and cultural insights, ensuring accurate and quick answers.

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FAQs

Q: How many states are there in India?

India has 28 states with their own capitals.

Q: How many Union Territories are there in India, and what are they?

India has 8 Union Territories; they are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

Q: Which is the largest state in India?

Rajasthan is the largest state by geographical area.

Q: Which is the smallest state in India?

Goa is the smallest state by geographical area.

Q: What is the newest state in India?

Telangana is the newest state, formed on June 2, 2014.

Q: What is the capital of Telangana?

Hyderabad is the confirmed capital of Telangana.

Q: Which is the newest Union Territory?

Ladakh is the newest union territory of India, established on October 31, 2019, when it was separated from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q: Are states and capitals important for bank exams?

Yes, they are a vital part of the Static General Awareness section in all bank exams.

Q: Which state has two capitals?

In India, Himachal Pradesh has Shimla as a capital in summer, and Dharamshala in winter, Maharashtra has Mumbai as a capital in summer, and Nagpur in winter, Uttarakhand has Dehradun as a capital in winter, and Bhararisain in summer, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has Srinagar as a capital in summer, and Jammu in winter.

Q: Are there 29 states in India?

No, there are 28 states in India as of 2026.