The formation of India’s states and union territories has evolved significantly since 1956, when the country had 14 states and 6 union territories. Notable changes, such as the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 into two union territories, have shaped India’s federal structure. As of January 2025, India consists of 28 states and 8 union territories, reflecting the nation’s efforts to accommodate linguistic, cultural, and administrative needs.
List of the States and Union Territories in 1956
In November 1956, India was composed of 14 states and 6 union territories.
| States | Union Territories |
| Andhra Pradesh | Andaman and Nicobar |
| Assam | Delhi |
| Bihar | Himachal Pradesh |
| Bombay | Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Manipur |
| Kerala | Tripura |
| Madhya Pradesh | |
| Madras | |
| Mysore | |
| Orissa | |
| Punjab | |
| Rajasthan | |
| Uttar Pradesh | |
| West Bengal |
List of States and Union Territories Created After 1956
| Maharashtra and Gujarat | In 1960, the Bombay state was split into Gujarat, where Gujarati is spoken, and Maharashtra, where Marathi is spoken. Gujarat became the 15th state within the Indian Union. |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | In 1954, it was freed from Portuguese control. From then until 1961, it was governed by an administrator selected by the citizens. The Constitution’s 10th Amendment in 1961 transformed it into an Union Territory. |
| Goa, Daman and Diu | Goa was freed from Portuguese rule by police intervention in 1961. The Constitution (12th Amendment) Act 1961 established Goa and Daman Diu as union territories. In 1987, Goa was granted statehood, while Daman and Diu were designated as a distinct union territory. |
| Puducherry | The region of Puducherry consists of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. In 1954, the French territory was transferred to India. It was governed as an acquired territory until 1962, when it was designated as a union territory by the Constitution (14th Amendment) Act of 1962 |
| Nagaland | Initially, the territory inhabited by the Nagas was part of Assam. However, a vigorous movement emerged, spearheaded by the disgruntled Naga tribes. In 1957, after a consensus was reached between the Naga leaders and the Indian government, the Naga Hills region of Assam and the Tuensang frontier division to the northeast were consolidated into a single unit under direct administration from the Indian government. In 1960, it was determined that this centrally-administered territory should be granted statehood. The Nagaland State Act of 1962 was enacted, and ultimately, Nagaland attained statehood on December 1, 1963, becoming the 16th state within the Indian Union |
| Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh | In 1966, Punjab was split to form Haryana, which became the 17th state, along with the establishment of the union territory of Chandigarh. Subsequently, the Akali Dal, led by Master Tara Singh, voiced the demand for an independent ‘Sikh Homeland’ known as Punjabi Subha. The Shah Commission was set up, and based on its recommendations, the regions where Punjabi was predominantly spoken were merged into Punjab, while Hindi-speaking territories became part of Haryana, and the mountainous regions were linked to the adjacent union territory of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1971, thus becoming the 18th State of the Union. |
| Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya | The 22nd Constitution Amendment Act of 1969 established Meghalaya as an ‘autonomous state’ within Assam, with its own legislature and council of ministers. However, the dreams and expectations of the people of Meghalaya remained unfulfilled. In 1972, the Union Territories of Manipur (19th) and Tripura (20th) were granted Statehood along with Meghalaya (21st). Additionally, the Union Territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were formed from regions of Assam, originally known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). |
| Sikkim | The 35th Constitution Amendment Act of 1974 was introduced, adding Article 2A (now rescinded) to grant Sikkim the designation of ‘Associate State.’ Following a plebiscite, Sikkim became a full-fledged state (the 22nd) in the Indian union in 1975. |
| Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa | Following a peace agreement in 1986 between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front, Mizoram was granted statehood in 1987, becoming the 23rd state. In the same year, Arunachal Pradesh was elevated to statehood, making it the 24th state. Goa attained state status by separating from the Union Territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu in 1987, thus becoming the 25th state. |
| Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand | In the year 2000, three states were created. Chhattisgarh (26th) out of Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand (27th) out of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand (28th) out of Bihar. |
| Telangana | The state of Telangana, created on June 2, 2014, is the 29th state of India, formed from the former state of Andhra Pradesh through the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act of 2014. This legislation included the following provisions:
● Hyderabad was designated as the joint capital for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a decade. During this timeframe, Andhra Pradesh is expected to build its own capital. ● The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has been renamed the Hyderabad High Court and will function as the high court for both states until Andhra Pradesh sets up its own High Court. |
Recent Developments in India’s States and Union Territories
Jammu and Kashmir:
On August 5, 2019, the President of India, utilizing his powers under Clause 1 of Article 370, released an order known as the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019. Following this order, an act known as the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 was passed by Congress. This act brought about the following modifications:
- Union territory of J&K and Ladakh: The act established the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, marking the first instance of a state being transformed into a union territory.
- Allocation of seats: The state of Jammu and Kashmir previously held six Lok Sabha seats; under the new arrangement, five were allocated to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and one to Ladakh.
- Legislative Assembly: ammu and Kashmir is to have a Legislative Assembly with a five-year term, as opposed to the previous six-year term.
- Powers of Assembly: Unlike Delhi, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will have jurisdiction over land-related laws, although it will not have the authority to legislate on matters of ‘Police’ or ‘public order’.
- Ended certain privileges: The region will no longer possess a separate constitution, national anthem, or flag as it did previously, nor will dual citizenship be allowed as before.
- Article 360: The provision for Financial Emergency is now applicable to Jammu and Kashmir (though Financial Emergency has never been declared in India).
- Penal code: The Indian Penal Code has replaced the Ranbir Penal Code previously in use in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Article 35A repealed: Article 35A has been rendered null and void due to the modifications made to Article 370.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
In July 2019, the Indian Government suggested combining the two territories into one union territory to minimize service duplication and lower administrative costs. A legislative proposal called the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019, was presented in Parliament. The legislation was approved and took effect in 2020.
- Objective: This action was taken to enhance the effective use of administrative officers’ services in these union territories.
- Geography: Daman and Diu are situated along the southern shoreline of Gujarat.
- Daman is a territory located on the southern shoreline of Gujarat and
- Diu is an island located off the southern shore of Gujarat’s Kathiawar Peninsula
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli comprises two distinct regions. Dadra shares its border with the state of Gujarat, whereas Nagar Haveli is situated at the confluence of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
As of now (until 2025), the count of states and union territories stands at 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
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