Indian States & Union Territories

Its federal system divides the country into 28 States and 8 Union Territories, each with its own administrative arrangements, distinctive traditions and contribution to the nation. Elected governments in each state generally possess substantial powers over subjects such as public order, agriculture, public health and local administration. The Union (Federal) Government administers Union Territories directly through different arrangements. Union Territories like Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir have their own legislatures and administer themselves. However, the Federal Government administers Ladakh, Chandigarh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands directly.

The Northern Region

Northern India encompasses the Himalayan mountain ranges, fertile river plains, historic cities and the national capital.

Ladakh

A high-altitude Union Territory characterised by cold deserts, dramatic mountains, Buddhist monasteries and distinctive Tibetan cultural influences. Its strategic location gives it considerable importance for India’s defence. China seized a piece of this region in the late 50s and early 60s called Aksai Chin. Pakistan invaded the heights over Ladakh in 1999, trying to cut off this region completely from India. However, the Indian Defence innovatively deployed artillery, the air force, and raw courage to annihilate the enemy without crossing the Line of Control.

Punjab

A fertile agricultural State associated with the Green Revolution, when wheat and rice production became a popular method to eradicate famine in India. Steeped in Vedic tradition, the state is home to the Shiva-Shakti tradition of worship. Being a frontline state against invading barbarians, great Gurus created the Sikh religion as the martial arm of Hinduism. It proudly hosts the Golden Temple at Amritsar.

Uttarakhand

A Himalayan State known for its sacred pilgrimage centres, including Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. Both the Ganga and Yamuna originate here. Every peak has an ancient temple. Every cave has a history of an ancient saint. It is a true trekker’s paradise.

Delhi

The National Capital Territory houses the Union Government’s principal institutions, Parliament, the Supreme Court and numerous diplomatic missions. It is also a major commercial and cultural centre. As an ancient city dating back to the Mahabharata, when it was called Indraprasta, the city has been the seat of power for many native kingdoms, invading barbarian warlords, and immoral colonial powers.

The Western Region

Western India combines desert landscapes, fertile plateaus, long coastlines, historic trading centres and some of the country’s most developed industrial regions.

Gujarat

A major industrial and commercial State with a long Sindhu Sagar (Arabian Sea) coast. Its industries include petrochemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and diamond processing. It is also home to the Asiatic lion in Gir. While the state has numerous temples, it proudly hosts the temples of Jyotirlinga Somnath and Dwarka.

Goa

India’s smallest State by area, celebrated for its beaches and biodiversity. Traditionally, Hindu temples provided the forum for worship and learning through which the state prospered. This suffered under Portuguese colonisation. Francis Xavier, known for his maniacal religious zeal, encouraged the destruction of Hindu temples and called for an Inquisition against Hindus. He also proudly documented his dastardly deeds in his own words. During the Portuguese occupation from the early 1500s to 1961, they built several distinctive Indo-Portuguese architectural buildings. Today, tourism and maritime sports are the major attractions.

Western India benefits from ports, industrial corridors, financial services and extensive domestic and international trade.

Madhya Pradesh

Located at the geographical centre, it is renowned for its forests, tiger reserves, the Narmada River, ancient Hindu temples, and Buddhist sites. Agriculture, mining, and manufacturing are important economic activities. The state proudly hosts two Jyotirlinga shrines at Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) and Khandwa (Omkareshwar). Srī Ādi Shankara received knowledge at the Omkareshwar temple in 509 BCE.

At the crossroads of all regions, it plays a crucial role in mineral production, energy generation, and agriculture.

Bihar

As the historic heartland of many ancient Hindu kingdoms, this Magadha region, now called Bihar, had widespread prosperity and encouraged philosophy in many forms, including Buddhism and Jainism. Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, and Mandana Mishra lived there. The famous Nalanda University functioned here for several millennia and was destroyed by invading barbarians.

Odisha

Famous for its seafaring economy and fierce warriors, the state is home to the Jagannath Temple at Puri and the Konark Sun Temple. Prosperity fostered many art forms, including the ancient Odissi dance form. Its coastline, ports, mineral resources, and industrial centres contribute to the economy.

The Ganga and its distributaries have historically supported agriculture, trade, urbanisation, and religious life throughout much of eastern India.

Andhra Pradesh

Known for its long coastline, agriculture, aquaculture, Telugu literary traditions and the renowned pilgrimage centre of Tirupati, Srikalahasti, and the Jyothir Linga temple at Srisailam. Its history reflects the Satavahana, Eastern Chalukya, Vemulavada Chalukya and Kakatiya kingdoms. The East and West Godavari districts are its cultural hubs.

Karnataka

With Bengaluru, the world-renowned technology and innovation hub, Karnataka has a rich heritage inherited from the Ganga, Chalukya, Kadamba, Vijayanagara, and Hoysala kingdoms. Each had distinctive architecture and art forms. The temple ruins at Pattadakal, Aihole, Badami, Hampi, and Belur-Halebid remind us of a glorious past. Several ancient temples remain intact, including the famous Srirangapatnam and Chamunḍi temples near Mysuru. The Kaveri and Thungabhadra Rivers originate in this state. The language Kannaḍan also has a long literary tradition.

Tamil Nāḍu

A major industrial and cultural State renowned for Tamil literature and monumental Chola, Pandya, Pallava, and Maratha temples. They are filled with astonishing sculptures and paintings. Bharatanatyam, the dance of Bharat or India, is prominent here. It is one of the few places in the country where ancient Indian music continues to flourish. It is known for automobile manufacturing and information technology capabilities. The state proudly hosts the Jyothirlinga temple at Rameshwaram and also has several ancient temples in Madurai, Thanjavur, Trichirapalli, Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari, and Chennai.

The Northeastern Region

Northeastern India is a region of exceptional biodiversity, linguistic diversity, tribal heritage and strategic importance. It connects mainland India with the eastern Himalayas and Southeast Asia. The eight States are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

Assam

The region’s principal economic hub, known for tea, petroleum, the Brahmaputra River, and Kaziranga National Park. It is home to the famous Kamakhya Devi and Purva Thirupati Temple.

Meghalaya

Famous for exceptionally high rainfall in some areas, living root bridges, and limestone caves. The dominant tribes there are Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia. Cherrapunji holds the historical record for the highest rainfall.

Nagaland

Known for its Naga communities, traditional village institutions, handicrafts and festivals. The Kali Temple at Dimapur, called Kalibari, is very ancient. Most people in the state have converted to Christianity.

Tripura

Known for its palaces, temples, bamboo crafts, and cultural connections with Bengal and neighbouring regions. The state is home to several ancient and historic Hindu temples, and the most exotic being the rock-cut Shaiva pilgrimage site at Unakoti.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

An archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, strategically positioned near important Indian Ocean sea routes. Its coral reefs, forests and marine biodiversity are significant, and its Indigenous communities require particular protection. The Chozha Empire used these islands as a launching base for its naval operations against the Sri Vijaya Empire. The government renamed its capital, Port Blair, as Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024.