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πŸ† 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

πŸ“Š 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

πŸ“ˆ Population Distribution

19.98 Cr
11.24 Cr
10.41 Cr
9.13 Cr
7.21 Cr
6.85 Cr
6.11 Cr
6.04 Cr

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.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most populous state in India? β–Ό
Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India with a population of 19,98,12,341 as per Census 2011. It accounts for about 16.8% of India's total population.
What percentage of India's population lives in the top 10 states? β–Ό
The top 10 most populous states account for approximately 77.9% of India's total population. These states are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat.
Which state has the highest population density? β–Ό
Among the top 10 populous states, population density varies based on geographical area. States in the Indo-Gangetic plains like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have high population densities due to fertile land and historical settlements.

πŸ”— Related Rankings

Data Source: Census of India 2011 | Last Updated: January 2026