How Many States and Union Territories Does India Have at Present?

As of 2025, India has 28 states and 8 union territories. This structure reflects the country's administrative and political organization. Each state has its own government, while union territories are governed directly by the central government, with some exceptions like Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir, which have their own legislatures.

Recent Changes:

• Jammu and Kashmir, formerly a state, was reorganized into two union territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—in 2019.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into a single union territory in 2020.

Why Does This Matter? Understanding the number of states and union territories is vital for students, travelers, and anyone interested in Indian geography or governance. It also impacts electoral representation, resource allocation, and regional development.

Actionable Insight: Keep updated with official government sources, as administrative boundaries can change due to political or legal decisions.