north India
Haryana
Haryana is a north Indian state formed on 1 November 1966 after the reorganisation of Punjab, with Chandigarh as its shared capital with Punjab. It combines Indo-Gangetic agricultural plains, Harappan archaeology, Kurukshetra cultural memory, Panipat battlefields, Green Revolution agriculture, NCR urbanisation, industry, sports culture, and major water-governance challenges.
Capital
Chandigarh
Population
2.54 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
44,212 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
75.6%
Census of India 2011
Districts
22
State Profile
Haryana overview
Haryana is a north Indian state formed on 1 November 1966 from the reorganisation of Punjab. Its capital is Chandigarh, shared with Punjab, while its geography and economy are shaped by the Indo-Gangetic plain, the Delhi NCR, canal irrigation, agriculture, industry, sports culture, and layered historical sites.
Capital
Chandigarh
Region
north
Population
2.54 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
44,212 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Chandigarh
- Largest city
- Faridabad
- Region
- north
- Population
- 2.54 CrCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 44,212 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Hindi, Haryanvi, Punjabi
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Dairy, Automobiles, IT/ITES
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is important for UPSC history because it connects Harappan archaeology, Kurukshetra cultural memory, Harsha and Thanesar, the three Battles of Panipat, 1857, colonial Punjab, and post-independence state reorganisation.
- Its geography offers a case study of the northwestern Indo-Gangetic plain, Shivalik foothills, Aravalli outliers, semi-arid tracts, canal irrigation, groundwater stress, and NCR urbanisation.
- Its economy and society are useful for studying Green Revolution agriculture, paddy-wheat sustainability, dairy, industrial corridors, Gurugram services, gender indicators, khap/community institutions, sports culture, and rural-urban transition.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Chandigarh, shared with Punjab; Chandigarh is also a Union Territory.
- Haryana was formed on 1 November 1966 after the reorganisation of Punjab.
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court functions in its present form from 1 November 1966 and is located at Chandigarh.
- The High Court serves Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
- Haryana surrounds Delhi on three sides, and several Haryana districts are part of the National Capital Region.
- Important centres include Kurukshetra, Panipat, Hisar, Rakhigarhi, Agroha, Thanesar/Sthaneshwar, Rohtak, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Karnal, Rewari, Narnaul, and Pinjore.