Indian States and Union Territories

• India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories. Every state and Union Territories has its unique cultural sentiments. India, as a nation, is an amalgamation of diverse cultural identities.

Introduction

• India (Bharat) is located in the Southern part of the largest continent in the world, Asia, and is officially known as the Republic of India. It is governed by a parliamentary form of government. The list of states is Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
• The 8 Union Territories of India are Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Delhi, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Andhra Pradesh

• The inception of Andhra Pradesh dates back to November 1956. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, receiving Presidential assent on March 1, 2014, led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana operate under a bicameral legislature.
• Geography: Eastern Andhra encompasses the eastern part of the Deccan plateau and a substantial portion of the Eastern Ghats. The northern part is designated as the Telangana region, while the southern part is known as the Rayalaseema region. Lambasingi in Andhra Pradesh also referred to as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh, experiences snowfall.
• Rivers: Major rivers such as Krishna, Godavari, and Pennar shape deltas in the coastal area of Andhra Pradesh. The state boasts a 972 km coastline, ranking second only to Gujarat.
• Climate: Andhra Pradesh experiences a generally hot and humid climate, with significant rainfall during the onset of the South-West monsoon. Approximately one-third of the total rainfall is attributed to the North-East monsoon.
• Agriculture: Around 68% of the state's population is engaged in agriculture, with rice being the predominant food crop. Other crops include jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, and millets.
• Forests: Forests cover about 18.28% (29,784 sq km²) of the state's geographical area. Key forest products include teak, terminals, cashew, bamboo, and softwood.
• Power Projects: Noteworthy hydel power plants in Andhra Pradesh include Nagarjunasagar, Ramagundam Srisailam, and Penna Ahobilam.
• Minerals: Globally recognized for its diverse rocks and minerals, Andhra Pradesh is known as Ratna Garbha and holds the second position in terms of mica resources in India.
• Industries: Major industries encompass the manufacturing of machine tools, synthetic drugs, ships, fertilizers, electronic equipment, cement, chemicals, asbestos, and glass.
• Tourist Spots: Amaravati's Shiva temple, one of the Pancharamas, and the Thousand Pillars temple in Warangal are renowned for their intricate temple carvings.

Arunachal Pradesh

•  Arunachal Pradesh, known as the Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains or the Land of the Rising Sun, attained full statehood on February 20, 1987. Previously, until 1972, it was referred to as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). The region acquired Union Territory status on January 20, 1972, and was subsequently renamed Arunachal Pradesh.
• Geography: The topography of Arunachal Pradesh features an undulating hilly terrain nestled amid the foothills of the Shivalik ranges. It shares borders with Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.
• Main Mountains: Significant mountain ranges in the region include the Himalayas, Dafla Hills, Mishmi Hills, and Abor Hills.
• Passes: Key passes in Arunachal Pradesh include Bum La, Tse La, Yonggyap, Diphu, and Sela.
• Rivers: Arunachal Pradesh is intersected by major rivers such as the Brahmaputra, Dibang, Suban-Siri, Kameng, and Lohit.
• Climate The climate in Arunachal Pradesh varies from sub-tropical to temperate based on the altitude. Lower belts experience a hot and humid climate, while higher regions witness snowfall during winter.
• Agriculture: Jhum cultivation and terrace farming are the predominant agricultural practices in Arunachal Pradesh. Major crops include rice, millet, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, and potatoes. Fruits such as apples, pineapples, oranges, pears, plums, chestnuts, walnuts, and guava are cultivated. Horticulture products comprise bamboo, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants, ginger, cardamom, and mushrooms.
• Forests These occupy 79.33% (66607 sqm) geographical area, which includes different vegetation like pine forests, alpine forests, degraded forests, bamboo forests, grasslands, etc.
• Power Projects Major hydroelectric projects are at Changlang, Pasighat, Seppa, Tezu, etc. 
• Minerals Coal (Namchik-Namphuk, Dibang valley, Upper Suban-Siri) limestone, graphite, dolomite (Rupa, West Kameng), marble and pyrite.
• Industries Most of the industries are agro-based. Some of them are cane and bamboo work, weaving, mat making, etc. Some mineral-based industries like coal, limestone, graphite, dolomite, marble, pyrite, etc are also there.

Assam

• The term "Assam" finds its origin in the Sanskrit word "Asoma," signifying peerless or unparalleled.
• Another scholarly perspective suggests that the name could be linked to the Ahoms, who governed the region for approximately 600 years before British annexation.
• In 1825, Assam became a British protectorate when the Burmese ceded it to the British under the Treaty of Yandabo.
• Achieving independence on August 15, 1947, Assam stands as the sentinel of North-East India and a gateway to the North-Eastern states, closely bordering Bangladesh and Bhutan.
• Geography: Positioned almost separately from Central India by Bangladesh, Assam's geography is characterized by the Brahmaputra river spreading its rich alluvial plain from the North-Eastern corners to the West and further towards the South.
• Rivers: Brahmaputra, Dibang, Lohit, Torap, Suban-siri, Kapil, Diyun, Lot, and Seng phan are significant rivers contributing to the region's topography.
• Agriculture: Agriculture in Assam involves the cultivation of rice, tea, corn, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes, areca nuts, mangoes, jackfruits, and citrus fruits.
• Forests: Assam accounts for 3.28% of the total geographical area of India, hosting UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Kaziranga National Park and Manas, known for the rare Indian Rhinoceros.
• Power Projects: Noteworthy power projects in Assam include the Chandrapur Thermal Project, the Namrup Thermal Project, and the ongoing Karbi Langpi Project.
• Minerals: Assam holds historical significance with Asia's first mechanically drilled oil well in Makum (1867) and the establishment of Asia's first refinery in Digboi. Important minerals include limestone, coal, refractory clay, dolomite, and natural gas.
• Industries: Assam plays a significant role in global tea production, contributing 15.6% and 55% to the world's and the country's tea output, respectively. The state is also prominent in industries related to petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas, handloom, sericulture, bamboo, carpentry, brass, and silk production, including varieties like Endi, Muga, and Tussar.
• Tourist Spots: Kamakhya temple, Umananda (P