Have you wondered about India’s geographical diversity? Known for vibrant cultures and ancient history, India is also home to some of the most beautiful landscapes. From mountains to beaches and cities to suburbs, the diversity is breathtaking. Understanding the various states of India and their capitals is the key to gaining an in-depth awareness of the nation. The capitals of Indian states are also an important part of the and curriculum. This particular topic educates students about the administration of each state and what makes them special. In this blog, we will cover this topic to offer valuable insights into the International Baccalaureate courses States, Union Territories, and their capitals.

How Many States and Union Territories are in India?

As part of the IB International Baccalaureate curriculum, it is important for students to know about India’s political and cultural landscape. India is a federal parliamentary republic comprised of two types of major entities – States and Union Territories (UTs). There are 28 States and 8 Union Territories in India. The division is mainly due to administrative reasons and to meet the diverse needs of specific regions. States are self-governing entities with their own elected governments. They are responsible for administration within defined geographical boundaries and exercise autonomy in making decisions regarding matters of health, law, education, etc. The highest office in a State is held by the Chief Minister. On the other hand, Union Territories refer to the regions whose administration is controlled by the central government of India. UTs have less autonomy than states and are looked after by the Lieutenant Governor or Administrator appointed by the President of India. Each State and UT has its capital that acts as the centre from which power is dispersed into other parts. So, without further ado, let’s get into the Capitals of the Indian States and Union Territories! 

Capital of Indian States

The capital of the state is the town designated as the seat of state government, which is decided by the Constitution of India. The capital state is the one where all the state’s administrative offices, legislative building, and judicial headquarters are located. Let us look at the capitals of 28 states of India along with their highlights in the table below. 

State	Capital	Highlights
Andhra Pradesh	Amravati	Beautiful beaches, ancient temples, and a rich cultural heritage.
Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar	Known for its green hills, snow-capped mountains, and rich tribal culture. It is also home to many Buddhist monasteries.
Assam	Dispur	Known for its scenic beauty, rich culture, and the Brahmaputra River.
Bihar	Patna	Historically significant for its association with Buddhism and Jainism. Home to ancient ruins, pilgrimage sites, and the sacred river Ganges.
Chhattisgarh	Raipur	Known for its balance between tribal communities, lush forests, ancient caves, waterfalls, and industrial development.
Goa	Panaji	Popular tourist destination with stunning beaches, Portuguese architecture, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Gujarat	Gandhinagar	Known for being an industry hub with a rich history of trade and cultural sites. Also, home to the world’s tallest statue – the Statue of Unity.
Haryana	Chandigarh (Also a Union Territory)	Modern planned city, known for its urban planning, parks, and proximity to Delhi.
Himachal Pradesh	Shimla	Picturesque hill station, known for its snow-capped mountains, adventure tourism, and colonial-era architecture.
Jharkhand	Ranchi	Rich in mineral resources, forests, and waterfalls. Home to various tribal communities and a rapidly developing industrial sector.
Karnataka	Bangalore	India’s IT hub, known for its tech industry, gardens, historical sites, and vibrant cultural scene.
Kerala	Thiruvananthapuram	Known as “God’s Own Country,” famous for its backwaters, beaches, Ayurveda, spice plantations, and lush greenery.
Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	Known for its historical cities, rich wildlife, and diverse landscape. Home to ancient temples, national parks, and the iconic Sanchi Stupa.
Maharashtra	Mumbai	India’s financial and entertainment capital, known for its bustling city life, historical sites, Bollywood, and diverse cultural influences.
Manipur	Imphal	Known for its scenic beauty, rich cultural heritage, and Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
Meghalaya	Shillong	Known for its rolling hills, waterfalls, and unique tribal communities. “Abode of the Clouds” is famous for its natural beauty and pleasant climate.
Mizoram	Aizawl	Known for its lush hills, bamboo forests, and vibrant tribal culture.
Nagaland	Kohima	Famous for its vibrant tribes, traditional handicrafts, the Hornbill Festival, and scenic beauty.
Odisha	Bhubaneswar	Known for its ancient temples, including the famous Jagannath Temple, and its coastal beauty. Also, an emerging IT hub.
Punjab	Chandigarh (Also a Union Territory)	Known for its fertile lands, Sikh culture, agriculture, and vibrant culture. Also home to the famous Golden Temple.
Rajasthan	Jaipur	Known as “The Pink City,”  and its historical forts, palaces, vibrant markets, and deserts.
Sikkim	Gangtok	Known for its stunning Himalayan landscapes, monasteries, and adventure tourism.
Tamil Nadu	Chennai	Known for its ancient temples, cultural heritage, music, dance, and vibrant city life. Home to significant historical sites and a thriving IT sector.
Telangana	Hyderabad	Known for its rich history and a growing IT sector. Also, a major centre for IT, commerce and education. The famous Char Minar is located here.
Tripura	Agartala	Known for its scenic beauty, tribal culture, and historical sites. Home to the Ujjayanta Palace and many cultural attractions.
Uttar Pradesh	Lucknow	Known for its Mughal architecture and Nawabi culture.
Uttarakhand	Dehradun	Known for its scenic beauty, pilgrimage sites, and adventure tourism.
West Bengal	Kolkata	Known for its rich culture, intellectual heritage, and historical significance. Famous for its literature, art, and iconic landmarks like the Howrah Bridge.

Union Territories and Their Capitals

The Union Territories are a topic of interest for many due to their special status in the Indian Constitution. They are strategic and political lands with rich culture and history. Let’s explore the 8 Union Territories and their capitals below.

Union Territory	Capital	Highlights
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Port Blair	Known for beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and the Cellular Jail. Also popular for adventure tourism.
Chandigarh	Chandigarh (Shared with Punjab & Haryana)	Known for being the first planned city of India. Popular for its parks, malls, and modern architecture. Also home to the famous Rock Garden.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Daman	A combination of the former territories, primarily known for beaches, historic forts, and Portuguese influence.
Delhi	New Delhi	The National Capital Territory, known for its historical monuments, government buildings, diverse culture, and city life.
Jammu and Kashmir	Srinagar (Summer)/Jammu (Winter)	Known for its stunning natural beauty, valleys, and religious sites.
Ladakh	Leh	Known for high-altitude desert, stunning landscapes, monasteries, and adventure tourism.
Lakshadweep	Kavaratti	Known for coral islands, beaches, water sports, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Puducherry	Puducherry	Known for its French colonial heritage, serene beaches, and peaceful and unique cultural atmosphere.

To Sum Up

Indian States and Union Territories are extremely fascinating. Their capitals, more so, as they hold the most cultural and administrative significance. The capital of Indian States and Union Territories is not only important for General Knowledge but also to understand our nation better.  OWIS, one of the top International Baccalaureate Schools in Bangalore, enables students to study and learn all the important facts about the nation and life. We encourage students to explore different types of knowledge and push them to their full potential. To know more about our pedagogy, get in touch with us now!