India is a large and diverse nation comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, each differing significantly in area, population, culture, and economic activities. While states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are prominent due to their size and population, there are smaller states in terms of either area or population.
Here we will explore the smallest state of India in both population and area, as well as provide a list of the smallest states by area and population.
Smallest State of India by Area
Goa is the smallest state in India by area.
- Area: 3,702 km²
- Capital: Panaji
- Largest City: Vasco da Gama
- Geographical Location: Located in the western part of India, Goa is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Karnataka to the east and south, and the Arabian Sea to the west.
Image Credit: Maps of India
Goa, the smallest state by area, is famous for its beautiful beaches, lively tourism industry, and Portuguese-influenced architecture and culture. Despite its small size, Goa holds a significant place in India’s tourism sector, making a notable contribution to the country’s GDP.
List of Smallest States in India by Area
Here’s a list of the smallest states in India ranked by area:
| Rank | State | Area (in km²) |
| 1. | Goa | 3,702 |
| 2. | Sikkim | 7,096 |
| 3. | Tripura | 10,486 |
| 4. | Meghalaya | 22,429 |
| 5. | Manipur | 22,327 |
| 6. | Nagaland | 16,579 |
| 7. | Arunachal Pradesh | 83,743 |
| 8. | Mizoram | 21,081 |
Key Points:
- Goa is the smallest state by area with just 3,702 km² of land.
- Sikkim, though smaller in population, ranks second in terms of area, with 7,096 km².
- Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland follow closely behind in the list of small states by area.
Smallest State of India by Population
Sikkim is the smallest state in India by population.
- Population: Approximately 6.6 lakh (as per the 2021 Census)
- Capital: Gangtok
- Official Language: Nepali, Sikkimese, Bhutia, Lepcha
- Geographical Location: Sikkim is situated in the northeastern region of India, bordered by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east, and China (Tibet) to the north.
Image Credit: Maps of India
Sikkim, despite being the least populous state, is known for its scenic beauty, with majestic mountains, including Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world. It is also recognized for its rich biodiversity and progressive environmental policies.
List of Smallest States in India by Population
Here’s a list of the smallest states in India ranked by area:
| Rank | State | Population (2021 Census) |
| 1. | Sikkim | Approx. 6.6 Lakh |
| 2. | Goa | Approx. 15 Lakh |
| 3. | Arunachal Pradesh | Approx. 15.7 Lakh |
| 4. | Mizoram | Approx. 12.2 Lakh |
| 5. | Nagaland | Approx. 22 Lakh |
| 6. | Tripura | Approx. 40.3 Lakh |
List of States and Union Territories of India by Area
Here is the complete list of all states of India, sorted by their area:
| Serial No. | State | Area (in km²) |
| 1. | Rajasthan | 342,239 |
| 2. | Madhya Pradesh | 308,252 |
| 3. | Maharashtra | 307,713 |
| 4. | Uttar Pradesh | 240,928 |
| 5. | Gujarat | 196,024 |
| 6. | Karnataka | 191,791 |
| 7. | Andhra Pradesh | 162,975 |
| 8. | Odisha | 155,707 |
| 9. | Chhattisgarh | 135,192 |
| 10. | Tamil Nadu | 130,058 |
| 11. | Telangana | 112,077 |
| 12. | Bihar | 94,163 |
| 13. | West Bengal | 88,752 |
| 14. | Arunachal pradesh | 88,749 |
| 15. | Jharkhand | 79,716 |
| 16. | Assam | 78,438 |
| 17. | Himachal Pradesh | 55,673 |
| 18. | Uttarakhand | 53,483 |
| 19. | Punjab | 50,362 |
| 20. | Haryana | 44,212 |
| 21. | Kerala | 38,863 |
| 22. | Meghalaya | 22,429 |
| 23. | Manipur | 22,327 |
| 24. | Mizoram | 21,081 |
| 25. | Nagaland | 16,579 |
| 26. | Tripura | 10,491 |
| 27. | Sikkim | 7,096 |
| 28. | Goa | 3,702 |
Here is the complete list of all Union Territories of India, sorted by their area:
| Serial No. | Union Territories | Area (in km²) |
| 1. | Ladakh | 59,146 |
| 2. | Jammu and Kashmir | 42,241 |
| 3. | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 8,249 |
| 4. | Delhi | 1,484 |
| 5. | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 603 |
| 6. | Puducherry | 479 |
| 7. | Chandigarh | 114 |
| 8. | Lakshadweep | 32 |
Key Takeaways:
- Goa is India’s smallest state by area (3,702 km²).
- Sikkim is India’s smallest state by population (approximately 6.6 lakh).
- The union territories, such as Lakshadweep and Chandigarh, are smaller than most states in terms of area.
Summary of the Smallest States in India
- Smallest State by Area: Goa (3,702 km²)
- Smallest State by Population: Sikkim (~6.6 lakh people)
- Top 5 Smallest States by Area: Goa, Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur
- Union Territories by Area: Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory by area, followed by Chandigarh.
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Smallest State of India FAQs
Q1. Which is the smallest state in India by area?
Answer: Goa is the smallest state in India by area, covering only 3,702 km².
Q2. Which is the smallest state in India by population?
Answer: Sikkim is the smallest state in India by population, with approximately 6.6 lakh people (as per the 2021 Census).
Q3. What are the 5 smallest states in India by area?
Answer: The 5 smallest states in India by area are:
- Goa – 3,702 km²
- Sikkim – 7,096 km²
- Tripura – 10,486 km²
- Meghalaya – 22,429 km²
- Manipur – 22,327 km²
Q4. What are the 5 smallest states in India by population?
Answer: The 5 smallest states in India by population (2021 Census) are:
- Sikkim – Approx. 6.6 lakh
- Goa – Approx. 15 lakh
- Arunachal Pradesh – Approx. 15.7 lakh
- Mizoram – Approx. 12.2 lakh
- Nagaland – Approx. 22 lakh
- Manipur – 22,327 km²
Q5. What is the population of the smallest state in India?
Answer: Sikkim, the smallest state by population, has a population of approximately 6.6 lakh people as per the 2021 Census.
