India is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories, each representing its own governance, culture, and administrative importance. Learning the States and Capitals of India helps in building a deeper understanding of India’s diversity and is crucial for exams like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs. Below, we’ll explain the complete List of States and Capitals of India (2025), including their formation years and major highlights.
Quick Overview of the List of States and Capitals of India (2025)
| S.No | State | Capital | Formation / Reorganisation Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | 1 November 1956 |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | 20 February 1987 |
| 3 | Assam | Dispur | 1950 |
| 4 | Bihar | Patna | 1950 |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur | 1 November 2000 |
| 6 | Goa | Panaji | 30 May 1987 |
| 7 | Gujarat | Gandhinagar | 1 May 1960 |
| 8 | Haryana | Chandigarh | 1 November 1966 |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | 25 January 1971 |
| 10 | Jharkhand | Ranchi | 15 November 2000 |
| 11 | Karnataka | Bengaluru | 1 November 1956 |
| 12 | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | 1 November 1956 |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | 1 November 1956 |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Mumbai | 1 May 1960 |
| 15 | Manipur | Imphal | 21 January 1972 |
| 16 | Meghalaya | Shillong | 21 January 1972 |
| 17 | Mizoram | Aizawl | 20 February 1987 |
| 18 | Nagaland | Kohima | 1 December 1963 |
| 19 | Odisha | Bhubaneswar | 1950 |
| 20 | Punjab | Chandigarh | 1 November 1966 |
| 21 | Rajasthan | Jaipur | 30 March 1949 |
| 22 | Sikkim | Gangtok | 16 May 1975 |
| 23 | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | 1 November 1956 |
| 24 | Telangana | Hyderabad | 2 June 2014 |
| 25 | Tripura | Agartala | 21 January 1972 |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | 24 January 1950 |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | Dehradun | 9 November 2000 |
| 28 | West Bengal | Kolkata | 1950 |
1. Andhra Pradesh – Capital: Amaravati
Andhra Pradesh lies on the southeastern coast of India, known for its fertile deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. The state is famous for its rich history, spicy cuisine, and evolving capital, Amaravati, which symbolizes modern infrastructure and governance development.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 1 November 1956
- Region: South India
- Known For: Kuchipudi dance, Tirupati Temple, rice cultivation
- Economy: Agriculture, IT hubs, and ports
- Fun Fact: It was India’s first state formed on a linguistic basis (Telugu language).
2. Arunachal Pradesh – Capital: Itanagar
Nestled in the northeastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun.” It boasts stunning landscapes, dense forests, and diverse tribal cultures. The capital, Itanagar, serves as the state’s administrative and cultural center.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 20 February 1987
- Region: Northeast India
- Known For: Tawang Monastery, mountain ranges, tribal festivals
- Economy: Agriculture, handloom, and tourism
- Fun Fact: It shares international borders with Bhutan, Myanmar, and China.
3. Assam – Capital: Dispur
Located in the northeast, Assam is renowned for its tea plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, and the mighty Brahmaputra River. The capital, Dispur, is a modern city that represents Assam’s cultural and political heartbeat.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 1950
- Region: Northeast India
- Known For: Assam Tea, Kaziranga National Park, silk weaving
- Economy: Agriculture, oil refineries, tourism
- Fun Fact: Assam is the world’s largest tea-producing region.
4. Bihar – Capital: Patna
Bihar holds immense historical importance, being home to ancient civilizations like Magadha and important Buddhist sites. The capital, Patna, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, blending tradition and modern development.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 1950
- Region: East India
- Known For: Nalanda University, Bodh Gaya, Madhubani art
- Economy: Agriculture, handloom, small-scale industries
- Fun Fact: Patna was once known as Pataliputra during Mauryan rule.
5. Chhattisgarh – Capital: Raipur
Carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000, Chhattisgarh is rich in minerals and forests. The capital, Raipur, is an emerging industrial and educational hub. The state combines natural beauty with strong industrial potential.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 1 November 2000
- Region: Central India
- Known For: Chitrakote Falls, tribal culture, steel industries
- Economy: Mining, energy, and agriculture
- Fun Fact: Often called the “Rice Bowl of Central India.”
6. Goa – Capital: Panaji
Goa, India’s smallest state, offers a blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures. Known for its beaches, churches, and vibrant festivals, the capital Panaji (Panjim) lies along the scenic Mandovi River.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 30 May 1987
- Region: West India
- Known For: Beaches, architecture, seafood
- Economy: Tourism, fishing, iron ore mining
- Fun Fact: Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961.
7. Gujarat – Capital: Gandhinagar
Gujarat, located on India’s western coast, is an industrial powerhouse and home to Mahatma Gandhi. Its capital, Gandhinagar, is a planned city symbolizing modern India’s progress.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 1 May 1960
- Region: West India
- Known For: Sabarmati Ashram, Rann of Kutch, textile industry
- Economy: Ports, petrochemicals, manufacturing
- Fun Fact: Gujarat is India’s top state for solar energy generation.
8. Haryana – Capital: Chandigarh
Haryana surrounds Delhi on three sides and is a leading agricultural and industrial hub. Its shared capital, Chandigarh, is one of India’s best-planned cities, known for its urban architecture.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 1 November 1966
- Region: North India
- Known For: Milk and wheat production, Gurugram IT hub
- Economy: Agriculture, auto industry, services
- Fun Fact: Haryana was formed by separating the Hindi-speaking areas from Punjab.
9. Himachal Pradesh – Capital: Shimla
Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the Himalayas, is famous for its hill stations and apple orchards. The capital, Shimla, once served as the summer capital during British rule and remains a major tourist attraction.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 25 January 1971
- Region: North India
- Known For: Snow-capped hills, temples, and trekking
- Economy: Tourism, horticulture, hydropower
- Fun Fact: Himachal Pradesh is India’s largest apple-producing state.
10. Jharkhand – Capital: Ranchi
Formed in 2000, Jharkhand is known for its mineral wealth and lush green forests. The capital, Ranchi, is both an industrial and educational center with rapid development.
Key Highlights:
- Formation Date: 15 November 2000
- Region: East India
- Known For: Waterfalls, tribal art, coal reserves
- Economy: Mining, energy, agriculture
- Fun Fact: The name ‘Jharkhand’ literally means “Land of Forests.”
FAQs About States and Capitals of India (2025)
Q1. How many states are there in India in 2025?
There are 28 states in India as of 2025.
Q2. How many Union Territories are there in India?
India has 8 Union Territories as of 2025.
Q3. What is the capital of India?
The capital of India is New Delhi.
Q4. Which is the newest state of India?
Telangana, formed on 2 June 2014, is the newest state.
Q5. Which is the largest state by area?
Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area.
Q6. Which is the smallest state by area?
Goa is the smallest state in India by area.
Q7. Which state has the highest literacy rate?
Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India.
Q8. Which state is known as the “Heart of India”?
Madhya Pradesh is called the “Heart of India.”
Q9. Which state has the longest coastline?
Gujarat has the longest coastline among all Indian states.
Q10. Which Union Territory has two capitals?
Jammu & Kashmir has Srinagar (Summer) and Jammu (Winter) as capitals.