🗺️ India Map & States Directory

Interactive Exploration

Our interactive map above allows you to visually explore India's administrative divisions. Each state and union territory is clickable, providing instant access to detailed census data, demographic information, and district-wise statistics. This visual approach complements the comprehensive tables below, offering both geographical context and detailed numerical data for researchers, students, and anyone interested in India's demographic landscape.

Historical Evolution

At independence in 1947, India inherited a complex administrative structure with provinces and princely states. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 reorganized states primarily along linguistic lines, creating the foundation of the current state structure. Since then, several new states have been carved out, including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand in 2000, and Telangana in 2014. The most recent change was in 2019 when Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized into two union territories.

Administrative Structure

Each state has a Governor appointed by the President as the constitutional head, and a Chief Minister as the head of government. States are further divided into districts, which are the primary administrative units for census data collection and governance. Districts are subdivided into talukas (also called tehsils or mandals), which contain towns and villages. This hierarchical structure enables efficient administration and data collection across India's vast territory.

Demographic Diversity

India's states exhibit remarkable demographic diversity. Uttar Pradesh alone has a population larger than most countries, while Sikkim has fewer than a million residents. Literacy rates range from over 90% in Kerala to around 60% in some northern states. Sex ratios vary significantly, with Kerala having more females than males, while states like Haryana have skewed ratios. This diversity reflects India's varied geography, history, and socio-economic development patterns.

Union Territories

Union territories are administered directly by the central government, though some like Delhi and Puducherry have their own legislative assemblies. These territories include island groups (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep), city-states (Delhi, Chandigarh), and regions with special strategic or administrative significance. The National Capital Territory of Delhi is unique as it has a special status with its own elected government but limited powers compared to full states.

Census Data Collection

The Census of India is conducted every 10 years and provides comprehensive demographic data for all states and union territories. The 2011 Census was the most recent complete enumeration, covering population, literacy, housing, and socio-economic indicators. Each state's census data reveals unique patterns of urbanization, migration, and development that reflect local policies and geographical advantages.

Economic and Social Indicators

States vary dramatically in their economic development and social indicators. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu generally show higher literacy rates and better health outcomes, while northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar face challenges with large populations and lower per capita incomes. These disparities drive internal migration patterns and influence national development policies.