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Largest State of India Population-wise and Area-wise 2024

Largest State in India is Rajasthan with the area covering 342,239 square kilometers which is 10.4% total area of India. The State is located in the northern part sharing the border with bordered by Pakistan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.

  • Jaipur is Rajasthan’s capital, situated to the west of the country on Pakistan’s border.
  • The state’s total population is around 68,548,437 as per the Census 2011.
  • The literacy rate of the state is 66.11% of the total population. Rajasthan has 33 districts in its region.
  • There are 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state of Rajasthan

Largest State of India

India is politically divided into 28 States and 8 Union Territories at present. The Largest State in India by area is Rajasthan. Rajasthan is located in the northwestern part of the country and is known for its vast desert landscapes, historical forts, and vibrant culture. It covers a diverse range of geographical features, from the Thar Desert to the Aravalli mountain range. The smallest state in India by area is Goa. Goa is located on the western coast of India, and it is known for its beautiful beaches, rich Portuguese-influenced culture, and vibrant nightlife. Despite its small size, Goa is a popular tourist destination and is renowned for its scenic beauty and historical sites. In this article, we will discuss the Largest and Smallest States and Union Territories of India by area and population.

Largest State in India (Map)

India Map

Largest to Smallest States in India

Rajasthan is the largest state of India and Goa is smallest. The population wise Uttar Pradesh is highest and Sikkim is the smallest. Bihar is the most population and Arunachal Pradesh is lowest in density wise.

Aspect Largest Smallest
Area-wise Rajasthan Goa (Smallest State) and Lakshadweep (Smallest Union Territory)
Population-wise Uttar Pradesh Sikkim (smallest state) and Lakshadweep (smallest union territory of India)
Population density-wise Bihar Arunachal Pradesh

Read about: States and Capitals of India

Area wise which is the Smallest and Largest State?

As per an area of 342,239 square kilometres, Rajasthan is the largest state, whereas Goa is the smallest state with an area of 3,702 square kilometres

Rank State Area (sq km)
1 Rajasthan 342,239
28 Goa 3,702

Largest State in India (Area-wise)

Rajasthan is the Largest State, whereas Sikkim and Lakshadweep (UT) are the lowest area-wise

S.No. State/ Union Territory Area (sq km)
1. Rajasthan 342239
2. Madhya Pradesh 308252
3. Maharashtra 307,713
4. Uttar Pradesh 240,928
5. Gujrat 196,244
6. Karnataka 191,791
7. Andhra Pradesh 162,968
8. Odisha 155,707
9. Chhattisgarh 135,192
10. Tamil Nadu 130,060
11. Telangana 112,077
12. Bihar 94,163
13. West Bengal 88,752
14. Arunachal Pradesh 83,743
15. Jharkhand 79,716
16. Assam 78,438
17. Ladakh 59,000
18. Himachal Pradesh 55,673
19. Uttarakhand 53,483
20. Punjab 50,362
21. Jammu and Kashmir 42,241
22. Haryana 44,212
23. Kerala 38,852
24. Meghalaya 22,429
25. Manipur 22,327
26. Mizoram 21,081
27. Nagaland 16,579
28. Tripura 10,486
29. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 8,249
30. Sikkim 7,096
31. Goa 3,702
32. Delhi 1,483
33. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 602
34. Puducherry 490
35. Chandigarh 114
36. Lakshadweep 30

Read about: NATO Countries

Population Wise State in India

Here’s a list of the top 10 most populous states in India (2024 estimates) along with approximate population figures:

Top 10 Most Populous States in India (2024)

Rank State Population
1 Uttar Pradesh 245,000,000
2 Maharashtra 130,000,000
3 Bihar 129,000,000
4 West Bengal 102,000,000
5 Madhya Pradesh 90,000,000
6 Tamil Nadu 85,000,000
7 Rajasthan 84,000,000
8 Karnataka 73,000,000
9 Gujarat 71,000,000
10 Andhra Pradesh 56,000,000

Key Points

  1. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state, accounting for roughly 16% of India’s total population.
  2. Maharashtra and Bihar follow closely, both having large urban centers and high population densities.
  3. West Bengal has a high population density due to its relatively smaller area compared to other populous states.
  4. Southern States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have seen steady population growth with strong urbanization.
  5. Rajasthan has a large area but a relatively lower population density.

Additional Notes

  • Population Density: States like Bihar and West Bengal have very high population densities, while Rajasthan, with its vast area, has a low population density.
  • Political and Economic Impact: Highly populous states like UP, Maharashtra, and Bihar wield significant influence in Lok Sabha seats and contribute greatly to India’s GDP.

Read about: National Symbols of India

Largest Union Territory in India by Population

Delhi is the Largest State, whereas Lakshadweep (UT) are the lowest Population wise

S. No. UT Name
Population (as per 2011 Census)
1 Delhi 16,787,941
2, 3 Jammu and Kashmir + Ladakh 12,541,302
4 Puducherry 1,247,953
5 Chandigarh 1,055,450
6 Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu 5,86,956
7 Andaman and Nicobar Islands 380,581
8 Lakshadweep 64,473

Important Facts about Largest State of India for Exams

Here are some interesting facts about Largest State of India Area-wise:

  • Rajasthan is known as the “Land of Kings” because it was once home to many powerful kingdoms.
  • The state is home to the Thar Desert, the world’s seventh-largest desert.
  • Rajasthan is also home to the Aravalli Range, the oldest mountain range in India.
  • The state is known for its vibrant culture, which is reflected in its music, dance, and art.
  • Rajasthan is also home to a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including the Ranthambore National Park, which is home to the Bengal tiger.
  • The state capital is Jaipur, which is known as the “Pink City” because of the pink colour of its buildings.
  • Rajasthan is home to the world’s largest fort, the Chittorgarh Fort.
  • The state is also home to the world’s largest camel fair, the Pushkar Camel Fair.
  • Rajasthan is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The state is known for its hospitality and its rich cultural heritage.

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Largest and Smallest State of India FAQs

Which state is largest in India?

Area wise, Rajasthan is the largest state of India and population wise, Uttar Pradesh is the largest state.

Which is the 2nd largest state in India?

Area wise, Madhya Pradesh is the 2nd largest state of India and population wise, Maharashtra is the 2nd largest state.

Which is the smallest and largest state of India?

Area wise, Rajasthan and Goa are the largest and the smallest state of India respectively.

Which is the lowest population state in India?

Among all the states in India, Sikkim has the least population.

Which are the 5 largest state in India?

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Gujrat in this order are the 5 largest states in India.

About the Author

I, Sakshi Gupta, am a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. My objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. I strive to make my content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!