India has a total of 28 States. Eight Union Territories are also a part of it. Rajasthan is the largest state in India by area, while Goa is the smallest. According to 2019 data and 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in India by population. Sikkim is the least populated state. The largest Union Territory of India is Ladakh, while the smallest is Lakshadweep.

India stands second, following China as a populous nation in the world. It is the seventh-largest country in terms of land size (3.28 million km2). It inhabits 17.5% of the world's people and takes up 2.4% of the planet's surface.

The Largest state in India is one of the important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It is a part of the Geography subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-I syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article, we will study the largest state in India by area, largest state in India by population, the smallest state in India and the largest union territory of India for the UPSC exam.

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Largest State in India by Area - Rajasthan

The largest state in India is Rajasthan. It is located in the northern part of the country and covers an area of 342,239 square kilometers. Rajasthan is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Gujarat to the southwest, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, and Haryana and Punjab to the north.

• The state is bound by:
  • Punjab in the north,
  • Gujarat in the southwest,
  • Madhya Pradesh in the southeast,
  • Pakistan in the west, and
  • Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in the southeast.
• The state is well-known for its historical sites, festivals, and vibrant customs. It also has a rich cultural legacy.
• Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. It is also referred to as the Pink City and is one of the most popular tourism locations in India.
• The Thar desert dominates most of Rajasthan's western and northern regions. It makes the state primarily an arid one.
• The state's southern section does, however, contain a few hilly areas. The Aravalli Range, one of India's oldest mountain ranges, runs through Rajasthan. It houses a large number of wildlife reserves and national parks.
• Rajasthan's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture. The state ranks among the nation's top suppliers of wheat, barley, mustard, and cotton.
• The state also has a substantial mineral wealth. It actively mines elements like copper, lead, and zinc.

Overall, Rajasthan is a diversified state. It makes a significant economic addition to India. It has a rich cultural legacy with stunning landscapes.

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Top 5 Largest States in India by Area

The list of the largest states in India by area has been given below.

1. Rajasthan
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Maharashtra
4. Uttar Pradesh
5. Gujarat

In terms of area, the largest state in India is Rajasthan.

• It covers an area of over 342,000 square kilometers.
• 10.4% of the land area of the nation is in Rajasthan.
• The state is located in the western part of the Indian subcontinent.
• It is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning desert landscapes.

The second largest state in India by area is Madhya Pradesh.

• It covers an area of over 308,000 square kilometers.
• As the name denotes, it is located in the central part of India.
• It is known for its rich history, diverse wildlife, and ancient temples and monuments.

The third largest state in India by area is Maharashtra.

• It covers an area of over 307,000 square kilometers.
• This state is situated in the western part of the nation.
• It is known for its bustling capital city, Mumbai.
• The state's diverse landscape includes beaches, mountains, and forests.

The fourth largest state by area in the Indian subcontinent is Uttar Pradesh.

• It covers a land area of over 240,000 square kilometers.
• It is located in north India.
• The state is known for its rich cultural heritage, historical monuments, and religious sites.

The fifth largest state in India by area is Gujarat.

• It covers a land area of 196,024 square kilometers.
• It is situated in the western India and particularly in the western coast of the Indian peninsula.
• It has a very rich cultural heritage.
• It is also known for its beautiful beaches, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries.

List of Largest States in India by Area 2023

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Top 5 Largest States in India by Population

The list of largest states in India by population has been given below.

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
3. Bihar 
4. West Bengal
5. Madhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh occupies a first place as the largest state in India by population with more than 200 million residing in the state.

Second most populated state in India: Maharashtra

• It is home to India's 120 million people.

Bihar stands to be the third-most populous state in India.

• It is home to India's 100 million people.
• It is located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent.
• It is known for its ancient history, as well as its fertile agricultural land.

The fourth largest state in India by population: West Bengal

• It is home to over 90 million Indians.
• It is located in eastern India, stretching from Himalayas (in North) and Bay of Bengal (in South).
• It is known for its vibrant culture which includes literature, music, and art.

Madhya Pradesh comes next to West Bengal as the fifth largest state in India by population.

• It is home to over 80 million people.

List of Largest States in India by Population 2023

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Top 5 Largest Union Territories of India in Terms of Area

The list of the largest union territories in India in terms of area has been given below.

1. Ladakh 
2. Jammu and Kashmir
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
4. National Capital Territory of Delhi
5. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Ladakh is the largest union territory of India.

• It was formed as a Union Territory in October 2019. This took place as a result of the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
• It has an area of approximately 59,146 square kilometers.
• It is located in the northernmost region of the Indian peninsula.
• It is bordered by:
• Pakistan to the west,
  • Tibet to the east, and
  • Jammu and Kashmir to the south.
  • Ladakh is known for its rugged terrain, mountain passes, and unique culture.
• It is a well-known destination for adventure sports enthusiasts.

The second-largest union territory of India is Jammu and Kashmir.

• It was also formed as an Union Territory in October 2019.
• It has an area of approximately 42,241 square kilometers.
• It is located in the northern part of the Indian peninsula.
• It is popularly known for its scenic beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural festivals.

The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the third largest in India.

• It has an area of approximately 8,249 square kilometers.
• The Bay of Bengal region houses this island.
• It is known for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and diverse marine life.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi is the fourth largest Union Territory of India.

• It covers an area of approximately 1,484 square kilometers.
• It is the capital city of India.
• It is popularly known for its rich history and varied culture.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a newly-formed Union Territory.

• It was created by merging the former Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The merger was carried out in January 2020.
• It has an area of approximately 603 square kilometers.
• It is located in the western coastal region of peninsular India.

List of Largest Union Territories of India in Terms of Area 2023

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List of Largest Union Territories of India in Terms of Population

The list of the largest union territories in India in terms of population has been given below.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi is the largest Union Territory of India in terms of population.

• It is home to over 16 million Indian citizens.

Jammu and Kashmir - the second largest Union Territory of India in terms of population.

• It is home to over 12 million Indian people.

Puducherry has a population of approximately 1.2 million people.

• The southeastern coastal region of India houses Puducherry.
• It has a unique blend of French and Indian cultures.
• It is known for its beautiful beaches, colonial architecture, and delicious cuisine.

Chandigarh is the fourth largest Union Territory in India in terms of population.

• It has a population of over 1.05 million people.
• It is located in the northern part of the Indian peninsula.
• It serves as the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana.
• It is famous for its aptly planned architecture and beautiful gardens.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu has a population of approximately 585,000 people.

• It is located in the western coastal region of the Indian subcontinent.

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Smallest State in India by Area - Goa

Goa, the state of beautiful beaches and forests known as tourist paradise of India, is the smallest state in India by area.

• It is situated on India's western shore.
• It only makes up about 0.11% of the nation's total area or 3,702 square kilometers.
• Goa is renowned for its stunning coastlines and Portuguese-style buildings.
• Before India seized the state in 1961, it was a Portuguese colony. Hence, Goa's architecture, food, and customs are a special blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures.
• Goa has two districts, North Goa and South Goa, and Panaji serves as the state capital.
• Goa has a tropical monsoon climate. From June to September, there will be abundant rainfall.
• The state's economy is heavily reliant on tourism. Millions of tourists visit the state each year to enjoy its stunning beaches.
• The state is renowned for its agriculture. The major crops grown here are coconut, cashew, and spices.
• Goa has a rich history. The Basilica of Bom Jesus situated in Goa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The state is home to many other historical sites and statues.
• Additionally, the state is renowned for its music events. The popular Sunburn Festival held in Goa draws music fans from all over the globe.

Click on the link to download the notes on the Liberation of Goa for UPSC!

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