northeast India
Manipur
Manipur is a borderland state of Northeast India with Imphal as capital, a distinctive valley-hill geography, Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Kangla Fort, Moirang INA memory, Article 371C institutions, major sporting traditions, handloom skills, and high UPSC relevance for federalism, ecology, identity, border governance, and conflict-sensitive development.
Capital
Imphal
Population
28.56 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
22,327 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
76.9%
Census of India 2011
Districts
16
State Profile
Manipur overview
Manipur is a strategically located Northeast Indian state with Imphal as capital, the High Court of Manipur at Imphal, a compact central valley surrounded by hills, and an international border with Myanmar. It is known for Kangla Fort, Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, sangai conservation, Manipuri classical dance, Ima Keithel, Moirang INA history, handloom traditions, sports culture and Article 371C special constitutional provisions.
Capital
Imphal
Region
northeast
Population
28.56 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
22,327 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Imphal
- Largest city
- Imphal
- Region
- northeast
- Population
- 28.56 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 22,327 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Meiteilon/Manipuri, English, Tangkhul, Thadou-Kuki, Paite, Hmar, Mao, Rongmei, Poumai, Zou
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Handloom and handicrafts
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- Manipur is a core UPSC case study for Northeast borderland governance, Article 371C, hill-valley governance, ethnic diversity, autonomous district councils, India-Myanmar border management, Moreh-Tamu trade and Act East connectivity.
- Its history links Meitei polity, Kangla, Sanamahi and Vaishnavite cultural layers, Burma/Myanmar frontier relations, Seven Years Devastation, Anglo-Manipur War, Nupi Lan, World War II, INA history at Moirang, merger with India and statehood in 1972.
- Its geography brings together the Imphal/Manipur valley, surrounding hill ranges, Barak basin, Manipur river basin, Loktak basin, Churachandpur hills, Ukhrul hills, Senapati hills, Tamenglong hills and the Chandel-Tengnoupal-Moreh border corridor.
- Its ecology is highly examinable because Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, phumdis shape wetland livelihoods, Keibul Lamjao National Park is associated with the sangai, and hill forests fall within the Indo-Burma biodiversity region.
- Its society and culture help learners study multilingualism, Meitei Mayek revival, Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, Pangals, women markets, sports excellence, handloom livelihoods and conflict-sensitive development without reducing the state to one community or issue.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Imphal.
- Largest city: Imphal.
- Manipur was a princely state before joining the Indian Union.
- Manipur merged with India in 1949 and became a Part C state.
- Manipur became a Union Territory in 1956.
- Manipur became a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas Reorganisation framework.
- Article 371C provides special constitutional provisions for Manipur, including a committee of the Legislative Assembly consisting of members elected from hill areas.
- The High Court of Manipur is located at Imphal.
- The High Court of Manipur was established on 25 March 2013 after separation from the earlier Gauhati High Court jurisdiction.
- Important places include Imphal, Kangla Fort, Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Moirang, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Moreh, Jiribam, Andro, Khongjom, Shirui/Kashong area, Dzukou Valley Manipur side and the INA Memorial at Moirang.
- Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and is known for phumdis or floating biomass.
- Keibul Lamjao National Park is associated with the sangai or brow-antlered deer and is often described as the world only floating national park.