north India
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a Union Territory in northern India and serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Planned after Partition as a new capital for Indian Punjab, it is one of India modern planned cities and a major UPSC case study for urban planning, Union Territory administration, federal arrangements, architecture, public services, and urban sustainability.
Capital
Chandigarh
Population
10.55 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
114 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
86%
Census of India 2011
Districts
1
State Profile
Chandigarh overview
Chandigarh is a Union Territory in northern India and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. It was planned after Partition as a new capital for Indian Punjab and is widely studied as one of India’s most important planned modern cities, located near the Shivalik foothills and between Punjab and Haryana.
Capital
Chandigarh
Region
north
Population
10.55 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
114 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Chandigarh
- Largest city
- Chandigarh
- Region
- north
- Population
- 10.55 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 114 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- English, Hindi, Punjabi
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Government administration, Public services, Education, Healthcare
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is a high-value UPSC and PCS case study for post-independence nation-building, planned urbanisation, modernist architecture, public administration, and urban design.
- Its shared capital role makes it important for federalism, Union Territory governance, Punjab-Haryana administrative arrangements, and Centre-UT relations.
- Its geography connects a compact planned city, the Shivalik foothill belt, Sukhna Lake, seasonal drainage, green spaces, and urban sustainability challenges.
- Its economy and society illustrate a services-led, highly urban regional hub serving Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and nearby areas.
- Its environmental themes include lake conservation, catchment management, air pollution, traffic pressure, heat, water demand, waste, drainage, and sustainable urban transport.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Chandigarh is a Union Territory of India.
- It serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
- It does not have its own Legislative Assembly in the app baseline and is administered under the Union Territory framework.
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court is located in Chandigarh and serves Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
- Chandigarh was planned after Partition because Lahore, the former capital of undivided Punjab, became part of Pakistan.
- The city is closely associated with Le Corbusier and a wider team of planners and architects.
- Important identity markers include the Capitol Complex, sector planning, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, broad roads, green spaces, and planned civic design.
- Chandigarh location between Punjab and Haryana, near the Shivalik foothill belt, makes it important for map work and regional administration.