India is a land of incredible diversity, a vibrant mosaic of cultures, traditions, and languages. This diversity is formally structured into states and union territories, each with its own unique identity, capital city, and linguistic landscape. As of 2026, India comprises 28 states and 8 union territories. This updated list serves as a comprehensive guide to the states of India, their capitals, and their primary official languages, providing essential information for students, travellers, and anyone curious about the administrative and cultural fabric of the nation. Understanding this structure is key to exploring the country, from planning your travels to knowing the state-wise bank holidays in India.
Quick Answer
As of 2026, India has 28 states and 8 union territories. Each state has its own capital city and official language(s), reflecting the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity. For example, the capital of Maharashtra is Mumbai and its official language is Marathi, while the capital of Tamil Nadu is Chennai and its language is Tamil.
List of States in India and their Capitals (2026)
The states are the primary administrative divisions in India, each with its own elected government. The list below is updated for 2026, presenting each state along with its capital city. Some states have more than one capital to serve different functions—legislative, executive, and judicial—or to operate seasonally.
| State | Capital |
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Dispur |
| Bihar | Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
| Haryana | Chandigarh |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter) |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru (Bangalore) |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai (Summer), Nagpur (Winter) |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
| Punjab | Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| Telangana | Hyderabad |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer) |
| West Bengal | Kolkata |
Official Languages of Indian States
India does not have a single national language; instead, it has 22 official languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Hindi in the Devanagari script is the official language of the Union government, with English as a provisional official language. Each state has the liberty to adopt its own official language(s). This linguistic diversity is a cornerstone of India’s federal structure. Many states also have additional official languages to cater to minority linguistic groups within their borders.
| State | Official Language(s) |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English |
| Assam | Assamese |
| Bihar | Hindi |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi |
| Goa | Konkani |
| Gujarat | Gujarati |
| Haryana | Hindi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi |
| Jharkhand | Hindi |
| Karnataka | Kannada |
| Kerala | Malayalam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi |
| Maharashtra | Marathi |
| Manipur | Meitei (Manipuri) |
| Meghalaya | English |
| Mizoram | Mizo, English |
| Nagaland | English |
| Odisha | Odia |
| Punjab | Punjabi |
| Rajasthan | Hindi |
| Sikkim | English, Nepali, Sikkimese, Lepcha |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil |
| Telangana | Telugu |
| Tripura | Bengali, English, Kokborok |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi |
| West Bengal | Bengali, English |
List of Union Territories of India and their Capitals (2026)
Union Territories (UTs) are administrative divisions that are directly governed by the central Government of India. However, some UTs, like Delhi and Puducherry, have their own elected legislative assemblies and chief ministers. Below is the updated 2026 list of India’s union territories and their capitals.
| Union Territory | Capital |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Daman |
| Delhi (National Capital Territory) | New Delhi |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) |
| Ladakh | Leh |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
Understanding the Difference Between a State and a Union Territory
The primary distinction between a state and a union territory lies in their governance and autonomy. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- States: States have their own democratically elected governments, which have the power to make laws on a wide range of subjects (as defined in the State List of the Constitution). The head of the state government is the Chief Minister. They enjoy a federal relationship with the central government.
- Union Territories: UTs are administered directly by the President of India, who acts through an appointed Administrator or Lieutenant Governor. They have a unitary relationship with the central government. While Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir have legislatures, the central government’s control is more significant compared to states.
The formation and reorganization of these states have a rich history, with many names rooted in deep cultural and linguistic origins. For those interested, a deeper dive into how Indian states got their names can provide fascinating etymological insights. Additionally, each of these states and UTs has its own set of holidays; for example, you can find a specific list for Andhra Pradesh bank holidays to plan accordingly.
The Linguistic Landscape of India
India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. While the table above lists the primary official languages, the reality on the ground is far more complex and vibrant. The 2011 Census of India identified more than 19,500 languages or dialects spoken as mother tongues.
The states were largely reorganized on a linguistic basis in 1956, following the States Reorganisation Act. This was done to ensure better governance and to preserve the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of different regions. This is why most states have a dominant language that is spoken by the majority of its population. For instance, Kannada in Karnataka, Bengali in West Bengal, and Gujarati in Gujarat.
However, many states are multilingual. For instance, in Telangana, while Telugu is the official language, Urdu also holds the status of a second official language. In Sikkim, four languages are officially recognized to represent the major ethnic groups. This official recognition helps in preserving linguistic diversity and promoting inclusive governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many states and union territories are there in India in 2026?
As of 2026, India is comprised of 28 states and 8 union territories. This configuration reflects the most recent administrative changes, including the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and the merger of Dadra and Nagar Haveli with Daman and Diu.
What is the capital of Andhra Pradesh?
The designated capital of Andhra Pradesh is Amaravati. While Hyderabad is currently the de facto capital for Telangana, it served as a joint capital for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a period after the states’ division in 2014.
Which Indian states have more than one capital?
Several states have more than one capital. Maharashtra has Mumbai as its summer capital and Nagpur as its winter capital. Himachal Pradesh has Shimla (summer) and Dharamshala (winter). Uttarakhand has Dehradun (winter) and Gairsain (summer). The UT of Jammu and Kashmir also has Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter) as capitals.
Why do some states have a winter and a summer capital?
This practice is often a legacy of the British Raj, established to provide relief from extreme weather conditions. For example, in Jammu and Kashmir, the government moves to Jammu during the harsh winter months in Srinagar. It also ensures that different regions of a state feel equally represented in governance.
Is Hindi the national language of India?
No, India does not have a designated national language. According to the Constitution, Hindi in the Devanagari script is the official language of the Union Government. English is an associate official language. States are free to adopt their own official languages, leading to the country’s rich linguistic diversity.