India

World’s Largest Democracy and a Land of Timeless Diversity

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India, officially the Republic of India, is a vast South Asian country known for its civilizational continuity, cultural diversity, technological advancement, and democratic governance. With over 1.4 billion people, India is the world’s most populous country (2023) and the fifth-largest economy, playing a vital role in global politics, trade, science, and spirituality.

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Formation and Historical Background

• One of the world’s oldest civilizations — Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2500 BCE).

• Home to great empires: Maurya, Gupta, Mughal, and British Raj (1858–1947).

• Achieved independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.

• Became a sovereign democratic republic on January 26, 1950, with a written Constitution — the longest in the world.

• Founding principle: Unity in Diversity — with hundreds of languages, ethnicities, and religious practices.

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Administrative Information

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Government and Leadership

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Administrative Divisions

India is a federal union comprising:

• 28 States

• 8 Union Territories

Each state and UT has its own government, headed by a Chief Minister and Governor (for states) or Administrator/Lt. Governor (for UTs).

List of 28 States:

1. Andhra Pradesh

2. Arunachal Pradesh

3. Assam

4. Bihar

5. Chhattisgarh

6. Goa

7. Gujarat

8. Haryana

9. Himachal Pradesh

10. Jharkhand

11. Karnataka

12. Kerala

13. Madhya Pradesh

14. Maharashtra

15. Manipur

16. Meghalaya

17. Mizoram

18. Nagaland

19. Odisha

20. Punjab

21. Rajasthan

22. Sikkim

23. Tamil Nadu

24. Telangana

25. Tripura

26. Uttar Pradesh

27. Uttarakhand

28. West Bengal

List of 8 Union Territories:

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

2. Chandigarh

3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

4. Delhi (National Capital Territory)

5. Jammu and Kashmir

6. Ladakh

7. Lakshadweep

8. Puducherry

Each division is further broken into districts, blocks, panchayats, and villages or wards in urban areas.

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Local Government Structure

• Three-tier governance system:

  • Central Government (Union level)

  • State Government

  • Local Self-Government (Panchayati Raj & Urban Municipalities)

• Urban governance: Municipal Corporations, Councils, and Nagar Panchayats

• Rural governance: Gram Panchayats under Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)

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Leadership & Governance

• India follows a separation of powers and democratic federalism

• Major policies:

  • Digital India, Make in India, Skill India

  • Infrastructure growth (PM Gati Shakti, Bharatmala)

  • Welfare schemes: Ayushman Bharat, PM-Kisan, Ujjwala Yojana

• Strong presence in G20, BRICS, QUAD, United Nations

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Law Enforcement & Safety

• Central agencies: CBI, NIA, RAW, IB, ED, BSF, CRPF

• State-level police forces under Home Departments

• Judiciary ensures legal oversight

• Emergency Numbers:

  • 112 – Unified emergency service

  • 100 – Police

  • 101 – Fire

  • 102/108 – Ambulance

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Economy & Industry

• GDP (2023): Approx. USD 3.7 trillion

• Sectors:

  • IT & Services – Major global outsourcing hub

  • Agriculture – Wheat, rice, dairy, spices, cotton

  • Manufacturing – Electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles

  • Energy – Renewable, coal, nuclear, oil

• Booming start-up and digital payment ecosystem

• Member of WTO, G20, SCO, BIMSTEC

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Education & Institutions

• Largest education system globally by number of students

• Compulsory education under RTE Act

• Top institutions:

  • IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, IISc, JNU, DU

• Major reforms:

  • National Education Policy (NEP 2020)

  • Focus on vocational training and digital classrooms

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Healthcare

• Mixed public-private model

• Government schemes: Ayushman Bharat, Jan Arogya Yojana

• Leading hospitals:

  • AIIMS, Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, PGIMER

• Health missions target TB, maternal health, immunization

• India: Global vaccine producer (Serum Institute of India)

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Transport & Connectivity

• Airports: Indira Gandhi Intl (Delhi), Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad

• Rail: Indian Railways – 4th largest in the world

• Road: Expressways and National Highways expansion (e.g., Delhi–Mumbai Expressway)

• Ports: Mumbai, Chennai, Vizag, Kochi, Kandla

• Metro rail in 20+ cities

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Tourism & Attractions

• UNESCO Sites: Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Hampi, Ajanta-Ellora, Sundarbans

• Natural: Himalayas, Kerala backwaters, Rann of Kutch, Andaman Islands

• Spiritual: Varanasi, Amritsar, Bodh Gaya, Rameswaram

• Festivals: Diwali, Eid, Holi, Navratri, Christmas, Bihu, Onam, Durga Puja

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Culture & Lifestyle

• Multi-religious: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism

• Multilingual: 22 scheduled languages, 120+ major languages

• Arts: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Hindustani & Carnatic music, Bollywood

• Cuisine: Biryani, Dosa, Butter Chicken, Dhokla, Litti, Sweets (Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun)

• World’s largest film producer; major soft power through yoga and Ayurveda

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Summary

India is a mosaic of languages, religions, and traditions — a civilization that is both ancient and forward-looking. As the world’s largest democracy, it continues to balance its heritage with innovation, diversity with unity, and regional roots with global aspirations. With a vibrant youth population and rising global stature, India remains a key force shaping the future of Asia and the world.