π Top 10 Most Populous States in India
Ranking of India's most populous states based on Census 2011 data. These 10 states account for 77.9% of India's total population.
92.70 Cr
Top 10 Population
77.9%
of India's Population
19.98 Cr
#1 Uttar Pradesh
390
Total Districts
π Population Ranking
| Rank | State | Population | % of India | Literacy | Sex Ratio | Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | uttar pradesh | 19,98,12,341 | 16.8% | 67.68% | 912 | 82 |
| 2 | maharashtra | 11,23,74,333 | 9.4% | 82.34% | 929 | 36 |
| 3 | bihar | 10,40,99,452 | 8.7% | 61.80% | 918 | 41 |
| 4 | west bengal | 9,12,76,115 | 7.7% | 76.26% | 950 | 26 |
| 5 | andhra pradesh | 8,45,80,777 | 7.1% | 67.02% | 993 | 27 |
| 6 | madhya pradesh | 7,26,26,809 | 6.1% | 69.32% | 931 | 52 |
| 7 | tamil nadu | 7,21,47,030 | 6.1% | 80.09% | 996 | 33 |
| 8 | rajasthan | 6,85,48,437 | 5.8% | 66.11% | 928 | 34 |
| 9 | karnataka | 6,10,95,297 | 5.1% | 75.36% | 973 | 33 |
| 10 | gujarat | 6,04,39,692 | 5.1% | 78.03% | 919 | 26 |
π Population Distribution
India's Most Populous States
India is the second most populous country in the world, and its population is distributed unevenly across its states. The top 10 most populous states account for approximately 77.9% of India's total population, highlighting the concentration of population in certain regions.
Uttar Pradesh leads the ranking with a population of 19,98,12,341, making it more populous than most countries in the world. The state alone accounts for about 16.8% of India's total population.
Population Distribution Analysis
The population distribution across India's states reflects historical, geographical, and economic factors. The Indo-Gangetic plains, which include states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar, are among the most densely populated regions due to fertile agricultural land and historical settlements.
Maharashtra ranks second with 11,23,74,333 people, followed by Bihar with 10,40,99,452. These three states together account for a significant portion of India's population and play crucial roles in the country's economy and politics.
Development Indicators
While population size is important, development indicators vary significantly among these populous states. Literacy rates range from 61.80% to 82.34% among the top 10 states. Similarly, sex ratios vary from 912 to 996 females per 1000 males.
These variations highlight the need for state-specific development strategies and targeted interventions to improve social indicators across all populous states.
Urbanization Trends
Urbanization levels also differ significantly among these states. Some states have higher urban populations due to industrialization and economic opportunities, while others remain predominantly rural. Understanding these patterns helps in planning infrastructure, housing, and public services.
The census data provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and businesses to understand population dynamics and plan accordingly.
β Frequently Asked Questions
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π Related Rankings
Data Source: Census of India 2011 | Last Updated: January 2026