northeast India
Nagaland
Nagaland is a hill state of Northeast India with Kohima as capital and Dimapur as a major commercial hub. It became the 16th state of India on 1 December 1963 and is especially important for UPSC themes such as Article 371A, customary law, village councils, tribal diversity, Christianity, Inner Line Permit governance, the Naga peace process, jhum cultivation, biodiversity, and borderland development.
Capital
Kohima
Population
19.79 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
16,579 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
79.6%
Census of India 2011
Districts
17
State Profile
Nagaland overview
Nagaland is a mountainous state in Northeast India with Kohima as capital, Dimapur as a major commercial hub, and a long border with Myanmar. It became the 16th state of India on 1 December 1963 after a distinctive history involving Naga hill societies, colonial frontier administration, political negotiations, and constitutional accommodation through Article 371A.
Capital
Kohima
Region
northeast
Population
19.79 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
16,579 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Kohima
- Largest city
- Dimapur
- Region
- northeast
- Population
- 19.79 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 16,579 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- English, Nagamese, Angami, Ao, Sumi, Lotha, Konyak, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, Zeliang
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Jhum and terrace cultivation, Horticulture, Bamboo and cane products
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- Nagaland is a high-value UPSC case study for Article 371A, asymmetric federalism, customary law, village councils, community land, Inner Line Permit governance, and formal constitutional institutions working with local institutions.
- Its history connects oral traditions, Naga political awakening, the Naga Club memorandum to the Simon Commission, the Naga National Council, post-independence conflict, ceasefire arrangements, peace talks, and state formation.
- Its geography brings together Naga Hills, Patkai range, Barail connections, Kohima highlands, Dzükou Valley, Saramati, Doyang-Dhansiri river systems, Chindwin-linked eastern drainage, landslides, earthquakes, and borderland connectivity.
- Its society and culture are important for studying tribal diversity, Christianity and social change, Nagamese as a contact language, English as official language, oral histories, festivals, textiles, village institutions, and youth migration.
- Its environment offers strong GS3 examples: Indo-Burma biodiversity, Intanki/Ntangki National Park, community forests, jhum cultivation debates, Amur falcon conservation at Doyang, and sustainable mountain development.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Kohima.
- Dimapur is a major commercial, transport, and market hub of Nagaland.
- Nagaland became the 16th state of India on 1 December 1963.
- Nagaland was earlier part of Assam Naga Hills and related frontier administrative areas before statehood.
- English is the official language.
- The state has 17 districts in the current official profile, including Chumoukedima, Dimapur, Kiphire, Kohima, Longleng, Meluri, Mokokchung, Mon, Niuland, Noklak, Peren, Phek, Shamator, Tseminyu, Tuensang, Wokha, and Zunheboto.
- The 17 officially listed major tribes are Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, and Zeliang.
- Article 371A provides special constitutional provisions relating to Naga religious or social practices, customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving customary law, and ownership and transfer of land and resources, subject to constitutional wording.
- The Gauhati High Court has jurisdiction over Nagaland along with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram; Nagaland has a Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court.
- Important places include Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Mon, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Phek, Kiphire, Peren, Longleng, Noklak, Tseminyu, Chumoukedima, Niuland, Shamator, Meluri, Khonoma, Kisama Heritage Village, Dzükou Valley, Japfu Peak, Saramati, Doyang reservoir, and Intanki/Ntangki National Park.