28 States & Capitals of India: A Complete Guide with GK Quiz

1. Andhra Pradesh

Capital: Amaravati
Formed in 1956 as the first state created on a linguistic basis under the State Reorganization Act. Andhra Pradesh is located in the southeastern part of India and is known for its historic temples, rich culture, and the famous Telugu film industry. Amaravati is the legislative capital of the state, known for its planned development as a futuristic capital.

2. Arunachal Pradesh

Capital: Itanagar
Became a Union Territory in 1972 and attained statehood in 1987. Arunachal Pradesh is situated in the northeastern region of India, bordering China, Myanmar, and Bhutan. Itanagar, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is the political and administrative hub of this state.

3. Assam

Capital: Dispur
Formed in 1950. Known for its tea plantations, Assam is located in the northeast. Dispur is a locality in Guwahati, serving as the capital. Assam is also famous for its rich biodiversity and the Brahmaputra River.

4. Bihar

Capital: Patna
A state since British Colonial times in 1912. Located in eastern India, Bihar has a long history tied to ancient India. Patna, situated on the banks of the Ganges River, has been an important city for centuries and continues to play a key role in modern India.

5. Chhattisgarh

Capital: Raipur
A landlocked state carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Chhattisgarh, located in central India, is known for its mineral resources and tribal culture. Raipur is the state’s commercial and industrial center, rapidly developing in recent years.

6. Goa

Capital: Panaji
Attained statehood in 1987 after being separated from the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. An erstwhile Portuguese territory annexed by India in 1961 through Operation Vijay. Goa, the smallest state in India, is known for its beaches, tourism, and Portuguese-influenced architecture. Panaji (also called Panjim) is the laid-back capital of this vibrant state.

7. Gujarat

Capital: Gandhinagar
Created in 1960 when Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujarat on linguistic lines. It has the longest coastline in the country and the fourth-largest economy. Gujarat, located on the western coast of India, is famous for its entrepreneurship, vibrant culture, and historic sites like the Rann of Kutch. Gandhinagar is a planned city and the administrative seat of the state.

8. Haryana

9. Himachal Pradesh

Capital: Shimla
Gained statehood in 1971. Himachal Pradesh is known for its stunning mountainous landscapes. Shimla, a charming hill station, served as the summer capital during British rule and is now the capital of this state.

10. Jharkhand

Capital: Ranchi
Attained statehood in 2000 after being carved out of Bihar. Has a large tribal population and abundant mineral resources, but faces Naxalite insurgency. Jharkhand, rich in minerals, is located in eastern India. Ranchi is the administrative capital and is also known for its natural beauty and industrial growth.

11. Karnataka

Capital: Bengaluru
Created as Mysore state in 1956 for the Kannada-speaking population and renamed in 1973. Borders all other south Indian states, has a long coastline, and a rich cultural heritage. Karnataka is a major state in southern India, known for its IT industry, rich history, and natural beauty. Bengaluru (Bangalore), the capital, is the tech hub of India, often called the “Silicon Valley of India.”

12. Kerala

Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Created in 1956 for the Malayalam-speaking population. Home to the Malabar coast and boasts the highest literacy rate in the country. Kerala is known for its backwaters, greenery, and high literacy rate. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), located in the southern part of the state, is an ancient city with a vibrant cultural heritage.

13. Madhya Pradesh

Capital: Bhopal

Created in 1956. The second-largest state in India. Located in the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is famous for its wildlife sanctuaries and ancient temples. Bhopal, the capital, is a city with historical significance and a growing economy.

14. Maharashtra

Capital: Mumbai
Created in 1960 when separated from Gujarat. Originally called Bombay, it has the largest economy of any state in India. Maharashtra, located in western India, is one of the wealthiest states in India, housing the financial capital, Mumbai. The city of Mumbai is also the center of the Indian film industry, Bollywood.

15. Manipur

Capital: Imphal
Manipur attained statehood in 1972. It borders Myanmar and experiences insurgency due to violence between Kuki & Meitei communities. Located in Northeast India, Manipur is renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage. Imphal, the capital, is a small but culturally rich city.

16. Meghalaya

Capital: Shillong
Created as a sub-state within Assam in 1969 and attained statehood in 1972. Meghalaya, meaning “abode of clouds”, is a northeastern state known for its lush green hills and heavy rainfall. Shillong, the capital, is a popular hill station with colonial architecture.

17. Mizoram

Capital: Aizawl
Attained statehood in 1987 after being carved out of Assam. A landlocked state with the second-least population in the country, largely consisting of tribals. Mizoram, located in the northeast, is known for its rolling hills and cultural festivals. Aizawl, perched atop a hill, serves as the state’s capital and cultural center.

18. Nagaland

Capital: Kohima
Nagaland achieved statehood in 1963 after the Naga Hills and Tuensang area separated from Assam. This northeastern state is home to diverse tribes and vibrant festivals. Its capital, Kohima, is a picturesque city with historical significance from World War II.

19. Odisha

Capital: Bhubaneswar
Created in 1950. Has the third-largest Scheduled Tribes population in India. Odisha, located on the eastern coast of India, is famous for its temples, particularly the Jagannath Temple. Bhubaneswar is known as the “Temple City of India” and serves as the state’s capital.

20. Punjab

Capital: Chandigarh (shared with Haryana)
Bifurcated in 1966 to create Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The land of 5 rivers of the Indus river system, making it ideal for agriculture. Five rivers of the Indus river system flow through Punjab, making it a fertile land for agriculture. Chandigarh, a well-planned city, serves as the joint capital for both Punjab and Haryana.

21. Rajasthan

Capital: Jaipur
Created in 1956. The largest state in India by area. Rajasthan, known for its royal heritage and desert landscapes (Thar Desert), is located in northwestern India. Jaipur, also known as the “Pink City,” is the capital and a major tourist destination.

22. Sikkim

Capital: Gangtok
Became a protectorate of India in 1947, an associated state in 1974, and finally attained statehood in 1975. This small state offers breathtaking Himalayan vistas and serene Buddhist monasteries. Gangtok, the capital, is a serene city with a mix of tradition and modernity.

23. Tamil Nadu

Capital: Chennai
Created in 1950 from the historical Madras Presidency. Home to the Tamil-speaking population and an ancient land with a rich history of powerful kingdoms. Tamil Nadu, located in southern India, is rich in cultural heritage and home to some of the most ancient temples in India. Chennai, the capital, is a bustling metropolis with a strong cultural and industrial base.

24. Telangana

Capital: Hyderabad
Telangana, formed in 2014, is located in southern India. Hyderabad, the capital, is famous for its historical sites, IT industry, and its rich cuisine.

25. Tripura

Capital: Agartala
Attained statehood in 1972. The third-smallest state in India, bordered by Bangladesh. Tripura, a northeastern state, is known for its tribal culture and beautiful landscapes. Agartala, the capital, is a city with a blend of cultural traditions and modern development.

26. Uttar Pradesh

Capital: Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh, established in 1950, holds the distinction of being India’s most populous state. Located in the northern part of the country, it showcases a vibrant tapestry of historical and cultural landmarks. Its capital, Lucknow, stands as a testament to this heritage, with its magnificent Mughal-era monuments and delectable cuisine captivating visitors from around the world.

27. Uttarakhand

Capital: Dehradun
Uttarakhand gained statehood in 2000, carved from Uttar Pradesh. Uttarakhand, located in the northern part of India, is famous for its scenic beauty and pilgrimage sites. Dehradun, the capital, is a picturesque city in the foothills of the Himalayas.

28. West Bengal

Capital: Kolkata
Created in 1956 for the Bengali-speaking population. West Bengal, located in eastern India. Celebrated for its literature, art, and culture, the state captivates with its unique heritage. Kolkata, the capital, is a city with a rich colonial history and a vibrant cultural scene.