Which is the largest state of India? Rankings by area and population

"Which is the largest state of India?" — this question comes up often in exams, but the right answer depends on how "largest" is measured: by area or by population. Here is the largest state of India by both measures, with the top 5 states in each list.

Largest by area: Rajasthan

Rajasthan makes up about 10.4% of India's total area — one-tenth of the country. A large part of it is the Thar Desert — read The world's largest deserts. Before Chhattisgarh was carved out of it in 2000, Madhya Pradesh was India's largest state; after the division, Rajasthan moved to first place.

Largest by population: Uttar Pradesh

These figures are from the 2011 Census, the last complete census so far; the numbers will change after the next census, though Uttar Pradesh is all but certain to stay first.

Did you know? If Uttar Pradesh were a separate country, it would rank among the most populous countries in the world — in 2011 its population was close to Brazil's. That is why Uttar Pradesh has the most Lok Sabha seats — 80 — and the state has given the country the most Prime Ministers.

The most and least densely populated

• Most densely populated state: Bihar — about 1,106 people per square kilometre in 2011.
• Most densely populated union territory: Delhi — about 11,300 people per square kilometre.
• Most thinly populated: Arunachal Pradesh — about 17 people per square kilometre.

A few highlights of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan

• Uttar Pradesh: it has the Taj Mahal at Agra, Varanasi — counted among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — and the Ganga–Yamuna confluence at Prayagraj. The Ganga's longest journey across the plains runs through this state, which is why it is also a farming leader.
• Rajasthan: known as "the land of kings", it has huge forts such as Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and Jaisalmer — read The famous forts of India. The Indira Gandhi Canal has brought new life to farming in its dry regions.

Big states, great diversity

Even within the big states there is huge variety. Rajasthan has the desert of Jaisalmer on one side and the green hills of Mount Abu and the Aravallis' highest peak, Guru Shikhar, on the other — read The major mountain peaks of India. Madhya Pradesh is called "the heart of India" and the "Tiger State" for its dense forests and tiger reserves. Maharashtra, home to the financial capital Mumbai, is among the leading states in the economy.

India compared with the world

India as a whole covers about 3.29 million square kilometres and is the seventh-largest country in the world by area. According to United Nations estimates, in 2023 India overtook China to become the most populous country in the world. So although India has only about 2.4% of the world's land, about a sixth of the world's people live here.

The list of all states: States and capitals of India.

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