FACTS AT A GLANCE

Independence

15 August 1947 (from Britain)

Total Area 3,287, 263 sq. km

Land area 2,973,190 sq km

Coastline 7,000 km

Comparative Area Slightly more 

than 1/3rd the size of the US

States 26

Union Territories 6

Capital City New Delhi

Districts 463

Largest State Madhya Pradesh 

(4,43,446 sq kms)

Border Countries Bangladesh 4,053 km, 

Bhutan 605 km, 

Burma 1,463 km, 

China 3,380 km, 

Nepal 1,690 km, 

Pakistan 2,912 km

Coastline 7,000 kms

Terrain Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in South,

Flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, 

Deserts in West, 

Himalayas in North

Lowest Point Indian Ocean 0 m

Highest Peak Kanchenjunga 8,598 m

Natural Resources Coal (4th largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, 

bauxite, titanium ore, chromite,

natural gas, diamonds, petroleum,

limestone

Population 953.7 million

Urban Population 27%

Population Growth 2.1 %

Population Ratio 927 females per 1000 males

Density of Population 273 persons per sq km

Most populous State Uttar Pradesh

Area with Highest Density Delhi 

(6352 persons per sq km)

Literacy Rate 52.1%

State with Highest Literacy Kerala

Life expectancy 61

GDP (Factor Cost)'96-97 : Quick Estimates Rs 11,49,215 crores

Per-Capital GDP (at Market Prices) '96-97 : Quick estimates Rs 12,76,974 crores

Per-Capital GNP (Factor Cost)'96-97 : Quick Estimates Rs 11,35,370 crores

Per-Capital GNP (at Market Prices)'96-97 : Quick Estimates Rs 12,63,129 crores

Inflation (CPI) 6.6 %

Constitution 26 January 1950 Republic Day of India

Legal System Based on English common law; 

Limited judicial review of legislative acts; 

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, 

with reservations

Judicial branch Supreme Court

Judges are appointed by the president

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal