States, Capitals and Union Territories of India
"Journey across 28 states, 8 union territories, and their vibrant capitals."
A Today you'll learn
- Understand India’s political map, including states, capitals, and union territories
- Identify major geographic regions: Northern Mountains, Great Plains, Thar Desert, Peninsular Plateau, Coastal Plains, and Islands
- Appreciate India’s unity in diversity across languages, dresses, and cultures
B Let's understand
India (Bharat) is our vast, vibrant homeland, the seventh-largest country in the world. For effective democratic governance, India is divided into 28 States and 8 Union Territories. New Delhi is the national capital territory. India is blessed with diverse physical features: the snow-crowned Himalayas in the north, the fertile Indo-Gangetic northern plains, the golden Great Indian Desert (Thar) in the west, the ancient rocky Deccan Plateau in the south, coastal plains along the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, and island chains (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep). Each state has its own capital city, rich regional language, traditional cuisine, and colorful festivals, reflecting India’s famous motto: "Unity in Diversity".
C See it step by step
- The national capital of India is New Delhi.
- Union Territories are administrative divisions governed directly by the Central Government of India, rather than having separate state governments.
- In the Bay of Bengal (southeast): Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- In the Arabian Sea (southwest): Lakshadweep Islands.
D Your turn
E Ready to practise?
Key idea 1
India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
New Delhi is the national capital of India
New Delhi is the national capital of India.
Major physical regions
Major physical regions: Himalayas, Northern Plains, Thar Desert, Deccan Plateau, Coasts, and Islands.
Key idea 4
India is bounded by the Indian Ocean in the south, Arabian Sea in the west, and Bay of Bengal in the east.
Key idea 5
Unity in diversity is India’s greatest cultural strength.