south India
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is a major south-eastern coastal state shaped by the Bay of Bengal, the Godavari-Krishna-Penna river systems, Telugu language and literature, ancient Buddhist and Deccan history, coastal agriculture, ports, aquaculture, bifurcation-era institution building, and recurring cyclone and drought risks.
Capital
Amaravati
Population
4.94 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
1,62,968 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
67%
Census of India 2011
Districts
26
State Profile
Andhra Pradesh overview
Andhra Pradesh is a south-eastern coastal state where long Bay of Bengal frontage, the Godavari and Krishna deltas, Rayalaseema plateau, Eastern Ghats, Telugu language, Buddhist heritage, Deccan dynasties, ports, agriculture, aquaculture and post-2014 institution building come together.
Capital
Amaravati
Region
south
Population
4.94 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
1,62,968 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Amaravati
- Largest city
- Visakhapatnam
- Region
- south
- Population
- 4.94 CrCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 1,62,968 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Telugu, Urdu, English, Savara/Sora, Koya, Kui/Kuvi, Gadaba, Lambadi/Banjara, Tamil, Kannada
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Aquaculture and fisheries, Ports and logistics, Steel
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is central to GS1 for Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Amaravati school, Nagarjunakonda, Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, Telugu literature, Vijayanagara links, colonial coastal trade and the Andhra linguistic movement.
- It is a strong GS2 example for linguistic reorganisation, India first linguistic state, the 1956 States Reorganisation Act, the 2014 bifurcation, capital and High Court institution building, water governance and tribal administration in Scheduled Areas.
- It is highly relevant to GS3 through delta agriculture, aquaculture, ports, Polavaram, cyclones, coastal erosion, mangroves, Kolleru and Pulicat wetlands, drought in Rayalaseema and renewable energy.
- It helps connect map-based learning with river deltas, Bay of Bengal cyclones, the Eastern Ghats, Visakhapatnam, Sriharikota-Pulicat, Godavari basin planning and regional development.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Amaravati; largest city and major port-industrial centre: Visakhapatnam.
- Andhra State was formed on 1 October 1953 from Telugu-speaking areas of Madras State, with Kurnool as capital.
- Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956 by merging Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking Telangana region of Hyderabad State under the States Reorganisation Act.
- Telangana was carved out on 2 June 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014; Hyderabad served as common capital for a transition period under the reorganisation framework.
- The High Court of Andhra Pradesh was established on 1 January 2019 and is located at Nelapadu in the Amaravati region.
- Major regions include Coastal Andhra, Uttarandhra/North Coastal Andhra, Godavari delta, Krishna delta, Rayalaseema, Eastern Ghats, agency hill areas and coastal plains.
- Important centres include Amaravati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Kurnool, Tirupati, Nellore, Rajahmundry/Rajahmahendravaram, Kakinada, Eluru, Anantapur, Kadapa/Y.S.R. district, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Machilipatnam, Ongole, Lepakshi, Srisailam, Ahobilam, Gandikota and Araku Valley.
- Major Buddhist sites include Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, Bhattiprolu, Salihundam, Thotlakonda and Bavikonda.