Administrative divisions of India: States and Union Territories

India gained independence on 15 August 1947. It is a Republic country that is the supreme power that resides in the hands of the countrymen. The supreme law of the land is Constitution. 

On 26 November 1949, Constitution was adopted and came into force on 26 January 1950. Currently, India comprises 28 States and 8 Union Territories. 

In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act was formulated and was a primary force in reorganising the boundaries of Indian states along with the linguistic lines. 

Three new states were formed in November 2000 - Chattisgarh carved out of Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand) from Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand from Bihar. Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in June 2014 and received granted individual state status.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 contains provisions to bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. On 31 October 2019, the act came into effect.

The constitutional head of the Executive of the Union is the President. The Governor is the representative of the President and is the head of Executive in the states. The government system in states resembles closely that of the Union. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him/her. 

The states differ as to the size of the territory, population, languages, as well as historical, economic, and cultural development.  Delhi, the capital of India, is the largest metropolis in India. It has its own Legislative Assembly, Lieutenant Governor, Council of Ministers, and Chief Minister.

List of States of India

List of Union Territories of India

Area wise the four largest states in descending order are: Rajasthan> Madhya Pradesh> Maharashtra> Andhra Pradesh. Goa is the smallest state of India area-wise.

Important Facts

• The largest district is Kachchh (Gujarat) and the smallest district is Mahe (Puducherry).

• The Indira Point is the southern point of India and is situated on the island of Andaman and Nicobar.

• Barren Island is only India’s active volcano situated in the Andaman Sea about 135 km NE of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands.

• Narcondam Island is a volcanic island which is situated in the northern-eastern part of North Andaman.

•  The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands from each other in the Bay of Bengal.

• Duncan pass is located between South Andaman and Little Andaman.

• The Grand Channel is between the Great Nicobar islands and Sumatra islands (Indonesia).

• The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are also known as the Emerald Islands.

• The Eight Degree Channel separates the islands of Minicoy and Maldives.

• The Nine Degree Channel separates the island of Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep archipelago.

• The Palk Strait is situated between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu state in India.

• The Adam’s Bridge is situated between Tamil Nadu (India) and Sri Lanka. Pamban Island is a part of the Adam’s Bridge. Rameshwaram is situated on this Island.

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