south India
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a Union Territory of India at the south-eastern edge of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, known for Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair, Cellular Jail, Indigenous communities, coral reefs, mangroves, Barren Island, Great Nicobar and strategic maritime geography near Southeast Asia.
Capital
Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair
Population
3.81 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
8,249 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
86.6%
Census of India 2011
Districts
3
State Profile
Andaman and Nicobar Islands overview
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an Indian Union Territory in the Bay of Bengal-Andaman Sea region, with its administrative capital at Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair. Its identity combines colonial penal history, Indigenous rights, coral and mangrove ecology, the 2004 tsunami experience and strategic maritime location near Southeast Asia.
Capital
Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair
Region
south
Population
3.81 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
8,249 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair
- Largest city
- Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair
- Region
- south
- Population
- 3.81 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 8,249 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Nicobarese languages, Andamanese languages, Shompen
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Tourism, Fisheries, Marine products, Coconut and arecanut cultivation
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is a high-value UPSC case study for colonial penal history, Cellular Jail, Kala Pani, World War II, Japanese occupation, INA symbolism and freedom movement memory.
- It links GS2 governance with ethics: Union Territory administration, tribal reserves, restricted areas, Sentinelese protection, Jarawa reserve issues and development versus rights debates.
- It is central to GS3 island ecology because of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, tropical forests, marine turtles, dugongs, endemic species and climate vulnerability.
- It is strategically important because it lies close to Southeast Asia, the eastern Indian Ocean, approaches to the Malacca Strait and major sea lanes, and hosts the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
- It is a strong disaster-management example because the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe damage, especially in the Nicobar group, and changed planning around warning, evacuation and resilient infrastructure.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Union Territory of India administered by a Lieutenant Governor.
- Administrative capital: Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair; Port Blair was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024, while Port Blair remains a familiar historical and administrative label in many contexts.
- The Calcutta High Court has jurisdiction, with a Circuit Bench at Sri Vijaya Puram / Port Blair.
- Two main island groups: the Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south.
- The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group.
- Great Andaman includes North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman.
- Important islands include South Andaman, Middle Andaman, North Andaman, Little Andaman, Swaraj Dweep / Havelock, Shaheed Dweep / Neil, Baratang, Rutland, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Kamorta, Katchal, Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar.
- Indira Point on Great Nicobar is the southernmost point of India.
- Barren Island is India's only confirmed active volcano; Narcondam is a volcanic island known for the endemic Narcondam hornbill.
- Important places include Cellular Jail, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island / Ross Island, Viper Island, Baratang, Chidiya Tapu, Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Wandoor, Mount Manipur / Mount Harriet National Park, Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Hut Bay / Little Andaman and Indira Point.
- Indigenous communities include Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompen, discussed respectfully in broad educational terms.
- Great Andamanese, Jarawa, Onge, Sentinelese and Shompen are generally treated as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups; Nicobarese are also a Scheduled Tribe but are not usually grouped with the same extreme isolation status.
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere programme.