central India
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a central Indian state with Raipur as capital, known for the Mahanadi basin, rice-producing plains, forested tribal regions, Bastar, Sirpur heritage, coal and iron ore, Bhilai steel, waterfalls, biodiversity, and major UPSC themes around forest rights, mineral-led development and inclusive governance.
Capital
Raipur
Population
2.55 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
1,35,192 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
70.3%
Census of India 2011
Districts
33
State Profile
Chhattisgarh overview
Chhattisgarh is a central Indian state formed from Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000, with Raipur as capital. It combines the rice-producing Chhattisgarh plain, the Mahanadi basin, Bastar plateau, northern hills, mineral belts, forests and culturally diverse tribal regions.
Capital
Raipur
Region
central
Population
2.55 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
1,35,192 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Raipur
- Largest city
- Raipur
- Region
- central
- Population
- 2.55 CrCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 1,35,192 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Hindi, Chhattisgarhi, Gondi, Halbi, Kurukh/Oraon, Bhatri, Surgujia, Sadri
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Rice milling, Mining, Coal
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is a core UPSC case study for Dakshina Kosala, Sirpur, early medieval temple and religious plurality, Kalachuris of Ratanpur, Bastar history, tribal movements and modern state formation.
- It is important for GS2 because Scheduled Areas, PESA, the Forest Rights Act, tribal welfare, local self-governance, public service delivery and Left Wing Extremism-affected governance all meet in the state.
- It is central to GS3 through rice agriculture, minor forest produce, coal, iron ore, steel, thermal power, mining-environment balance, displacement, biodiversity, river basins and forest-based livelihoods.
- Its map value is high: Mahanadi-Shivnath-Hasdeo basin, Indravati-Bastar, Dandakaranya, Maikal range, northern Surguja hills, Korba coal belt, Bailadila iron ore context, waterfalls and interstate borders.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Raipur; largest urban-industrial belt includes Raipur, Durg and Bhilai.
- Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000 under the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000.
- Chhattisgarh High Court was established on 1 November 2000 and is located at Bilaspur/Bodri.
- The state is located in central India and is often called the Rice Bowl of Central India because of its rice-producing plains.
- Major physical regions include the Chhattisgarh plain or Mahanadi basin, Bastar plateau, northern hills, Maikal range, Dandakaranya region and forested tribal belt.
- Important centres include Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg-Bhilai, Rajnandgaon, Korba, Raigarh, Jagdalpur, Dantewada, Bastar, Kanker, Ambikapur, Sirpur, Kawardha, Mainpat, Chitrakote Falls and Tirathgarh Falls.
- Important heritage and cultural sites include Sirpur, Bhoramdeo Temple, Malhar, Ratanpur, Danteshwari Temple, Rajim, Bastar Palace and the tribal cultural landscapes of Bastar.
- Major conservation and tourism landscapes include Barnawapara, Achanakmar, Kanger Valley, Guru Ghasidas National Park region and Indravati National Park.