States and Union Territories of India MCQs (30 Questions) for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways
States and Union Territories of India MCQs
30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Detailed Explanations
Useful for UPSC | SSC | Banking | Railways | PSC | State Government Exams
1. How many States are there in India at present?
A. 26
B. 27
C. 28
D. 29
✅ Correct Answer: C. 28
Explanation:
India currently has 28 States after the reorganization of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Concept Clear:
- States: 28
- Union Territories: 8
- This is one of the most frequently asked facts in competitive examinations.
2. How many Union Territories does India have?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
✅ Correct Answer: C. 8
Explanation:
India has 8 Union Territories administered by the Central Government.
Concept Clear:
The Union Territories are:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Chandigarh
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
- Delhi (NCT)
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
3. Which is the largest state in India by area?
A. Maharashtra
B. Rajasthan
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: B. Rajasthan
Explanation:
Rajasthan covers about 342,239 sq. km, making it India’s largest state by area.
Concept Clear:
After the creation of Chhattisgarh in 2000, Rajasthan became the largest state.
4. Which is the smallest state in India by area?
A. Goa
B. Sikkim
C. Tripura
D. Mizoram
✅ Correct Answer: A. Goa
Explanation:
Goa is India’s smallest state, covering approximately 3,702 sq. km.
5. Which is the largest state in India by population?
A. Maharashtra
B. Bihar
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. West Bengal
✅ Correct Answer: C. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation:
Uttar Pradesh has the highest population among all Indian states.
Concept Clear:
Its population exceeds that of many countries.
6. Which is the least populated state of India?
A. Goa
B. Mizoram
C. Sikkim
D. Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: C. Sikkim
Explanation:
Sikkim has the smallest population among Indian states according to the Census.
7. Which is the newest Union Territory of India?
A. Chandigarh
B. Ladakh
C. Puducherry
D. Lakshadweep
✅ Correct Answer: B. Ladakh
Explanation:
Ladakh became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
8. Which state has the longest coastline in India?
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Gujarat
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Maharashtra
✅ Correct Answer: B. Gujarat
Explanation:
Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states, measuring about 1,600 km.
9. Which Union Territory is known as the “Coral Paradise of India”?
A. Puducherry
B. Lakshadweep
C. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
D. Chandigarh
✅ Correct Answer: B. Lakshadweep
Explanation:
Lakshadweep is famous for its coral reefs, lagoons, and marine biodiversity.
10. Which is the largest Union Territory by area?
A. Jammu and Kashmir
B. Ladakh
C. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
D. Delhi
✅ Correct Answer: B. Ladakh
Explanation:
Ladakh is India’s largest Union Territory by geographical area.
11. Which is the smallest Union Territory by area?
A. Chandigarh
B. Lakshadweep
C. Delhi
D. Puducherry
✅ Correct Answer: B. Lakshadweep
Explanation:
Lakshadweep covers only about 32 sq. km, making it the smallest Union Territory.
12. Which state is known as the “Land of Five Rivers”?
A. Haryana
B. Punjab
C. Rajasthan
D. Himachal Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: B. Punjab
Explanation:
Punjab derives its name from the Persian words:
- Panj = Five
- Ab = Water
13. Which state is called the “Land of Rising Sun” in India?
A. Assam
B. Nagaland
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Meghalaya
✅ Correct Answer: C. Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost state where the sun rises first in India.
14. Which Indian state shares the longest international border?
A. Rajasthan
B. Punjab
C. West Bengal
D. Jammu and Kashmir
✅ Correct Answer: A. Rajasthan
Explanation:
Rajasthan shares India’s longest international border with Pakistan.
15. Which state has the highest number of districts?
A. Madhya Pradesh
B. Uttar Pradesh
C. Maharashtra
D. Rajasthan
✅ Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation:
Uttar Pradesh currently has the highest number of districts among Indian states.
16. Which is the only Union Territory with a High Court of its own?
A. Chandigarh
B. Puducherry
C. Delhi (NCT)
D. Lakshadweep
✅ Correct Answer: C. Delhi (NCT)
Explanation:
The National Capital Territory of Delhi has the Delhi High Court.
17. Which state is known as the “Spice Garden of India”?
A. Karnataka
B. Kerala
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Andhra Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: B. Kerala
Explanation:
Kerala is famous for producing spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
18. Which state is known as the “Tea Garden of India”?
A. Assam
B. West Bengal
C. Meghalaya
D. Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: A. Assam
Explanation:
Assam is the largest tea-producing state in India and is internationally famous for Assam Tea.
19. Which state is called the “Land of Festivals”?
A. Odisha
B. West Bengal
C. Nagaland
D. Assam
✅ Correct Answer: C. Nagaland
Explanation:
Nagaland celebrates numerous tribal festivals throughout the year, earning this nickname.
20. Which state is known as the “Land of Monasteries”?
A. Himachal Pradesh
B. Sikkim
C. Ladakh
D. Arunachal Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: C. Ladakh
Explanation:
Ladakh is home to many famous Buddhist monasteries such as Hemis, Thiksey, and Diskit.
21. Which state has the largest forest cover by area?
A. Madhya Pradesh
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Chhattisgarh
D. Maharashtra
✅ Correct Answer: A. Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest area in India according to the India State of Forest Report.
22. Which state has the highest percentage of forest cover?
A. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Mizoram
C. Meghalaya
D. Nagaland
✅ Correct Answer: B. Mizoram
Explanation:
Mizoram has one of the highest percentages of forest cover relative to its geographical area.
23. Which state has the highest literacy rate in India?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Goa
✅ Correct Answer: B. Kerala
Explanation:
Kerala consistently records the highest literacy rate among Indian states.
24. Which state has the lowest literacy rate?
A. Bihar
B. Rajasthan
C. Jharkhand
D. Uttar Pradesh
✅ Correct Answer: A. Bihar
Explanation:
Bihar has the lowest literacy rate among Indian states according to the Census.
25. Which state is known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”?
A. Sikkim
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Bhutan
D. None of these
✅ Correct Answer: D. None of these
Explanation:
The nickname “Land of the Thunder Dragon” refers to Bhutan, which is a neighboring country, not an Indian state.
Concept Clear:
This is a commonly asked trick question in competitive exams.
26. Which Union Territory has the capital at Port Blair?
A. Lakshadweep
B. Puducherry
C. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
D. Chandigarh
✅ Correct Answer: C. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Explanation:
Port Blair is the administrative headquarters of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
27. Which state has the largest number of neighboring states?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Assam
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Chhattisgarh
✅ Correct Answer: A. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation:
Uttar Pradesh shares boundaries with nine Indian states and one Union Territory (Delhi), making it one of the most connected states geographically.
Concept Clear:
Neighboring states include Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh (at a point), Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Delhi (UT).
28. Which state is completely surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides?
A. Mizoram
B. Meghalaya
C. Tripura
D. Assam
✅ Correct Answer: C. Tripura
Explanation:
Tripura is bordered by Bangladesh on the north, west, and south, making it one of India’s most geographically distinctive states.
29. Which Union Territory serves as the National Capital of India?
A. Chandigarh
B. Delhi (NCT)
C. Puducherry
D. Jammu and Kashmir
✅ Correct Answer: B. Delhi (NCT)
Explanation:
The National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi is home to New Delhi, the capital of India.
Concept Clear:
Delhi is a Union Territory with a legislative assembly and special constitutional status under Article 239AA.
30. Which constitutional provision empowers Parliament to create new states or alter the boundaries of existing states?
A. Article 1
B. Article 2
C. Article 3
D. Article 5
✅ Correct Answer: C. Article 3
Explanation:
Article 3 of the Constitution of India empowers Parliament to:
- Form new states.
- Increase or diminish the area of any state.
- Alter state boundaries.
- Change the name of any state.
Concept Clear:
- Article 1: India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.
- Article 2: Admission or establishment of new states into the Union.
- Article 3: Reorganization of existing states.
- Before introducing such a Bill, the President refers it to the concerned State Legislature for expressing its views, but Parliament is not bound by those views.
Quick Revision (Exam Booster)
- States in India: 28
- Union Territories: 8
- Largest State (Area): Rajasthan
- Smallest State (Area): Goa
- Largest State (Population): Uttar Pradesh
- Least Populated State: Sikkim
- Largest Union Territory (Area): Ladakh
- Smallest Union Territory (Area): Lakshadweep
- Longest Coastline: Gujarat
- Highest Literacy: Kerala
- Lowest Literacy: Bihar
- Largest Forest Area: Madhya Pradesh
- Highest Forest Cover (%): Mizoram
- Tea State: Assam
- Spice State: Kerala
- Land of Five Rivers: Punjab
- Land of Rising Sun: Arunachal Pradesh
- National Capital Territory: Delhi
- Power to Create or Alter States: Article 3 of the Constitution of India
