Last Update On: 21 October 2026
Looking for the most updated and complete Indian States and Union Territories GK 2026? You have come to the right place! India currently has 28 States and 8 Union Territories, and questions related to their capitals, formation years, largest-smallest states, nicknames, and special facts are asked almost every year in SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC and State PCS exams. In this complete guide, we have covered the full list of States and Union Territories with Capitals, important facts, High Courts, official languages, and more than 45 important GK questions with answers. Whether you are preparing for SSC CGL, CHSL, IBPS, RRB or any competitive exam, this article will help you score easy marks. Read till the end and revise regularly for best results.
General
Knowledge Questions and Answers | GK MCQ for Competitive Exams
Indian States and Union Territories Complete GK 2026 – Capitals, Formation Dates & Most Important Questions
Are you preparing for SSC CGL, CHSL, UPSC, Banking, Railway, State PCS or any competitive exam in 2026? Then this article is a must-read for you.
India currently has 28 States and 8 Union Territories. Questions related to States, Capitals, Formation Years, Largest & Smallest States, and Special Facts appear almost every year in competitive exams. In this complete guide (divided into 2 parts), we have covered everything you need in simple language with updated data of 2026.
Why Indian States & Union Territories GK is Extremely Important?
Every year, 3–7 questions from this topic come in SSC, Bank, Railway and State exams. Topics like “Which is the largest state by area?”, “Capital of which UT is Kavaratti?”, “When was Telangana formed?” are asked repeatedly. If you master this topic, you can easily score 4–6 marks without any hard work.
Ultimate
GK Questions and Answers: Best General Knowledge Quiz for Competitive Exams in
English
Complete List of 28 Indian States and Their Capitals (Updated 2026)
| S.No. | State Name | Capital | Formation Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | 2014 (Reorganised) |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | 1987 |
| 3 | Assam | Dispur | 1972 |
| 4 | Bihar | Patna | 1950 |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur | 2000 |
| 6 | Goa | Panaji | 1987 |
| 7 | Gujarat | Gandhinagar | 1960 |
| 8 | Haryana | Chandigarh | 1966 |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | 1971 |
| 10 | Jharkhand | Ranchi | 2000 |
| 11 | Karnataka | Bengaluru | 1956 |
| 12 | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | 1956 |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | 1956 |
| 14 | Maharashtra | Mumbai | 1960 |
| 15 | Manipur | Imphal | 1972 |
| 16 | Meghalaya | Shillong | 1972 |
| 17 | Mizoram | Aizawl | 1987 |
| 18 | Nagaland | Kohima | 1963 |
| 19 | Odisha | Bhubaneswar | 1950 |
| 20 | Punjab | Chandigarh | 1966 |
| 21 | Rajasthan | Jaipur | 1950 |
| 22 | Sikkim | Gangtok | 1975 |
| 23 | Tamil Nadu | Chennai | 1956 |
| 24 | Telangana | Hyderabad | 2014 |
| 25 | Tripura | Agartala | 1972 |
| 26 | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | 1950 |
| 27 | Uttarakhand | Dehradun | 2000 |
| 28 | West Bengal | Kolkata | 1950 |
Note: Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Hyderabad is the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (for a limited period as per agreement).
Complete List of 8 Union Territories of India (2026)
| S.No. | Union Territory | Capital | Year of Formation / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) | 1956 |
| 2 | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 1966 |
| 3 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Daman | 2020 (Merged) |
| 4 | Delhi (National Capital Territory) | New Delhi | 1956 |
| 5 | Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer) / Jammu (Winter) | 2019 (UT) |
| 6 | Ladakh | Leh & Kargil (Joint) | 2019 |
| 7 | Lakshadweep | Kavaratti | 1956 |
| 8 | Puducherry | Puducherry (Pondicherry) | 1954 / 1962 |
Most Important Facts About Indian States & Union Territories (Must Remember)
- Largest State by Area: Rajasthan
- Smallest State by Area: Goa
- Largest State by Population: Uttar Pradesh
- Smallest State by Population: Sikkim
- Largest Union Territory by Area: Ladakh
- Smallest Union Territory by Area: Lakshadweep
- Newest States: Telangana (2 June 2014) and earlier Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand (2000)
- Newest Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (31 October 2019)
- Only State with Three Capitals: Andhra Pradesh (planned – Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool)
- States with Summer & Winter Capitals: Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir
Important GK Questions and Answers on Indian States & Union Territories
Practice these questions carefully. These are frequently asked in exams.
Question 1: How many States and Union Territories are there in India currently?
Answer: 28 States and 8 Union Territories
Question 2: Which is the largest state of India by area?
Answer: Rajasthan
Question 3: Which is the smallest state of India by area?
Answer: Goa
Question 4: What is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh?
Answer: Itanagar
Question 5: Kavaratti is the capital of which Union Territory?
Answer: Lakshadweep
Question 6: When was the state of Telangana formed?
Answer: 2 June 2014
Question 7: Which two new Union Territories were created in 2019?
Answer: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
Question 8: Which is the capital of Odisha?
Answer: Bhubaneswar
Question 9: Dispur is the capital of which state?
Answer: Assam
Question 10: Which state has the highest population in India?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
Question 11: Which is the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu?
Answer: Daman
Question 12: In which year was Goa given full statehood?
Answer: 1987
Question 13: Which Union Territory has the highest population?
Answer: Delhi (NCT of Delhi)
Question 14: What is the capital of Mizoram?
Answer: Aizawl
Question 15: Which state was formed by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 on linguistic basis and later became the base for many new states?
Answer: The Act reorganised states on linguistic lines; Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka etc. were major outcomes.
Question 16: Chandigarh is the capital of which two states?
Answer: Punjab and Haryana
Question 17: Which is the smallest Union Territory of India by area?
Answer: Lakshadweep
Question 18: Port Blair (now also known as Sri Vijaya Puram) is the capital of which UT?
Answer: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Question 19: Which state has Gangtok as its capital?
Answer: Sikkim
Question 20: Which three Union Territories have their own elected Legislative Assemblies?
Answer: Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir
Quick Revision Points
- Total States: 28
- Total Union Territories: 8
- Total Sub-national Entities: 36
- Largest State (Area): Rajasthan
- Smallest State (Area): Goa
- Newest State: Telangana (2014)
- Newest UTs: J&K and Ladakh (2019)
Indian States and Union Territories GK 2026
Mastering the geography and governance of India is essential for competitive examinations, and this complete guide on Indian States and Union Territories brings everything you need into one comprehensive resource. It thoroughly covers all 28 States and 8 Union Territories—including their capitals, formation dates, and foundational GK concepts—alongside advanced, frequently asked questions to maximize your preparation. Curated specifically for aspirants targeting top scores in SSC, Banking, Railways, UPSC, and State PSC exams, this guide details state nicknames, High Court jurisdictions, official languages, unique state-wise facts, and an exam-focused FAQ section.
Top 1000 General Knowledge Questions & Answers
2026 – Boost Your GK Today!
Advanced & Tricky GK Questions on Indian States and Union Territories
Question 21: Which state has the maximum number of neighbouring states?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh (borders 9 states: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Delhi as NCT)
Question 22: Which is the only state in India that shares borders with three countries – China, Nepal and Bhutan?
Answer: Sikkim
Question 23: Which Union Territory is known as the “Coral Paradise of India”?
Answer: Lakshadweep
Question 24: Which state is known as the “Land of Five Rivers”?
Answer: Punjab
Question 25: Which state is called the “Spice Garden of India”?
Answer: Kerala
Question 26: Which state is known as the “Rice Bowl of India”?
Answer: Andhra Pradesh (sometimes also Chhattisgarh is referred to as the Rice Bowl of Central India)
Question 27: Which is the first state in India to be formed on linguistic basis?
Answer: Andhra State (1953), which later became Andhra Pradesh
Question 28: Which state has two official capitals for summer and winter sessions of the Assembly?
Answer: Maharashtra (Mumbai – Summer, Nagpur – Winter) and Himachal Pradesh (Shimla – Summer, Dharamshala – Winter)
Question 29: Which Union Territory was formed by merging Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu?
Answer: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (in 2020)
Question 30: Which state does not have a coastline but still has a major port city in its neighbouring state often associated with it?
Answer: Many landlocked states; however, the question usually focuses on states without coastline. (Correct related fact: Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, etc. have no coastline.)
Question 31: Which is the capital of Ladakh?
Answer: Leh and Kargil (joint administrative capitals)
Question 32: Which state has the highest number of districts in India (as of recent data)?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
Question 33: Which is the only state that shares its border with both Pakistan and China?
Answer: No state currently shares border with both after the reorganisation; earlier Jammu & Kashmir did. Now Ladakh shares border with China and Pakistan-occupied areas, while Punjab and Rajasthan share with Pakistan.
Question 34: Which state is known as the “Switzerland of India”?
Answer: Kashmir (Jammu & Kashmir region) or sometimes Himachal Pradesh / Uttarakhand in tourism contexts. Officially, Kashmir is most commonly called so.
Question 35: Which is the southernmost state of India?
Answer: Tamil Nadu (mainland). Among UTs, Andaman & Nicobar has Indira Point which is the southernmost point of India.
Popular Nicknames of Indian States (Very Important for Exams)
- Rajasthan – Land of Kings / Desert State
- Kerala – God’s Own Country / Spice Garden of India
- Punjab – Land of Five Rivers / Granary of India
- Gujarat – Jewel of Western India
- Goa – Pearl of the Orient / Tourist Paradise
- Sikkim – Land of Peace and Tranquility
- Meghalaya – Abode of Clouds
- Arunachal Pradesh – Land of the Rising Sun / Orchid State of India
- Nagaland – Land of Festivals
- Manipur – Jewel of India / Switzerland of the East
- Assam – Gateway to North-East India
- Madhya Pradesh – Heart of India
- Uttar Pradesh – Heartland of India
- West Bengal – Cultural Capital of India (Kolkata is often called this)
- Odisha – Soul of India / Land of Temples
Computer Awareness Study Materials PDF Download –
Free, Latest & Complete Guide for Exams
High Courts of Indian States and Union Territories
Most states have their own High Court. Some states share High Courts.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – High Court of Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati) and Telangana High Court (Hyderabad) – now separate
- Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram & Arunachal Pradesh – Gauhati High Court
- Bihar – Patna High Court
- Chhattisgarh – Chhattisgarh High Court (Bilaspur)
- Delhi – Delhi High Court
- Gujarat – Gujarat High Court (Ahmedabad)
- Himachal Pradesh – Himachal Pradesh High Court (Shimla)
- Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh – High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
- Jharkhand – Jharkhand High Court (Ranchi)
- Karnataka – Karnataka High Court (Bengaluru)
- Kerala & Lakshadweep – Kerala High Court (Kochi)
- Madhya Pradesh – Madhya Pradesh High Court (Jabalpur – Principal Bench)
- Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu – Bombay High Court
- Manipur – Manipur High Court
- Meghalaya – Meghalaya High Court
- Odisha – Orissa High Court (Cuttack)
- Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh – Punjab and Haryana High Court (Chandigarh)
- Rajasthan – Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur – Principal)
- Sikkim – Sikkim High Court
- Tamil Nadu & Puducherry – Madras High Court
- Tripura – Tripura High Court
- Uttar Pradesh – Allahabad High Court (Prayagraj)
- Uttarakhand – Uttarakhand High Court (Nainital)
- West Bengal & Andaman & Nicobar – Calcutta High Court
Official Languages of Major States (Quick List)
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana – Telugu
- Assam – Assamese
- Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh – Hindi (with regional languages)
- Goa – Konkani
- Gujarat – Gujarati
- Karnataka – Kannada
- Kerala – Malayalam
- Maharashtra – Marathi
- Odisha – Odia
- Punjab – Punjabi
- Rajasthan – Hindi / Rajasthani
- Tamil Nadu – Tamil
- West Bengal – Bengali
- Sikkim – Nepali, Sikkimese, Lepcha, etc.
1000+ General Knowledge Questions and Answers PDF
More Important Practice Questions
Question 36: Which state is known as the “Land of Rising Sun”?
Answer: Arunachal Pradesh
Question 37: Which is the only Indian state that has French as one of its official languages (along with Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam)?
Answer: Puducherry (Union Territory)
Question 38: Which state has the longest coastline in India?
Answer: Gujarat
Question 39: Which is the newest High Court established among the states (relatively recent)?
Answer: High Courts of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura were established in 2013.
Question 40: Which Union Territory is the largest by area?
Answer: Ladakh
Question 41: Which state was previously known as the United Provinces?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh
Question 42: Which state has “Kohima” as its capital?
Answer: Nagaland
Question 43: How many states share their border with Nepal?
Answer: Five – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim
Question 44: Which is the capital of Puducherry?
Answer: Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Question 45: Which state is famous for the Hornbill Festival?
Answer: Nagaland
GK India Quiz-Indian
Geography General Knowledge Questions Answers
|
GK on Indian
Constitution for all Exams |
|
|
Indian Constitution
Part and Amendment Act 1 to 395 GK |
|
|
E BOOK on Indian
Constitution Details GK |
|
|
Indian Constitution
General Knowledge Questions and Answers |
|
|
5000 General Knowledge
Objective Practice Questions and Answers |
|
|
GK on Vice President
of India Selection Process |
Conclusion
Dear aspirants, both Part 1 and Part 2 together give you a complete and updated coverage of Indian States and Union Territories GK required for almost all competitive examinations in 2026. Revise the lists, nicknames, High Courts and the 45 questions regularly. These topics are scoring and appear every year.
We recommend you bookmark this complete article (Part 1 + Part 2) and revise it at least twice before your exam. For more updated Static GK, Current Affairs, Previous Year Papers and Government Job Notifications, keep visiting Government Daily Jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many states and union territories are there in India in 2026?
A1. There are 28 States and 8 Union Territories in India.
Q2. Which is the largest and smallest state by area?
A2. Largest – Rajasthan | Smallest – Goa
Q3. When was Telangana formed as a separate state?
A3. 2 June 2014
Q4. Which two new Union Territories were created in 2019?
A4. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
Q5. What is the capital of Lakshadweep?
A5. Kavaratti
Q6. Which states share Chandigarh as capital?
A6. Punjab and Haryana
Q7. Which is the smallest Union Territory by area?
A7. Lakshadweep
Q8. Name the three Union Territories that have their own Legislatures.
A8. Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir
Q9. Which state is known as God’s Own Country?
A9. Kerala
Q10. Which High Court has jurisdiction over Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
A10. Calcutta High Court
General Science Physics Notes in Hindi – Free PDF
Download for Competitive Exams
Best of luck for your exams!
Disclaimer: Information is based on the latest available data as of 2026. Readers are advised to verify any critical updates from official government sources.
Related Articles:
→ Indian Geography Complete GK→ Highest, Longest, Largest in India
→ Indian Constitution Important Articles
→ Static GK for SSC and Banking
Join our Telegram Channel for daily Government Job updates, Results and Free Study Material.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page regarding Indian States and Union Territories GK is compiled strictly for general educational purposes and competitive exam preparation (such as UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and State PSCs). While every effort is made to maintain accuracy using authentic government publications and authoritative sources, territorial boundaries, administrative jurisdictions, and official designations may change over time. Aspirants are advised to cross-reference with official government portals or gazettes for legal and administrative verification. Government Daily Jobs does not represent any government authority.
Connect With Us