north India
Punjab
Punjab is a north-western Indian border state with Chandigarh as its shared capital with Haryana. It is central to the study of Sikh history, Partition, Green Revolution agriculture, river-water disputes, border governance, Punjabi culture, diaspora, and environmental sustainability.
Capital
Chandigarh
Population
2.77 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
50,362 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
75.8%
Census of India 2011
Districts
23
State Profile
Punjab overview
Punjab is a north-western Indian state sharing an international border with Pakistan. Its capital is Chandigarh, shared with Haryana, and its identity is shaped by fertile alluvial plains, Sikh history, Partition, Green Revolution agriculture, Punjabi language and culture, diaspora links, and river-water governance.
Capital
Chandigarh
Region
north
Population
2.77 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
50,362 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Chandigarh
- Largest city
- Ludhiana
- Region
- north
- Population
- 2.77 CrCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 50,362 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Food processing, Dairy, Textiles and hosiery
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- Punjab is crucial for UPSC history through Indus-Saraswati archaeology, early north-western routes, Sikh Gurus, Mughal-Sikh relations, the Sikh Empire, colonial annexation, reform movements, Ghadar, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition, and linguistic reorganisation.
- It is one of India’s most important case studies for Green Revolution gains and ecological limits, including groundwater depletion, stubble burning, wheat-rice monoculture, crop diversification, and food security.
- Punjab illustrates federalism and governance themes such as a shared capital, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, border management with Pakistan, Ravi-Beas and SYL water disputes, procurement policy, and local governance.
- Its society and culture help learners study Punjabi language and Gurmukhi script, Sikh institutions, Sufi and Bhakti traditions, migration, diaspora, regional identities such as Majha, Doaba, Malwa and Puadh, and rich folk traditions.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Chandigarh, shared with Haryana; Chandigarh is also a Union Territory.
- Punjab was reorganised on 1 November 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
- Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh were created from the old Punjab in 1966; some hill areas went to Himachal Pradesh.
- Punjab and Haryana High Court is located at Chandigarh, serves Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, and has worked in its present form since 1 November 1966.
- Chandigarh Capitol Complex is part of UNESCO World Heritage listing The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier.
- Punjab lies in north-western India and shares an international border with Pakistan.
- Major physical-cultural regions include Majha, Doaba, Malwa and Puadh.
- Important centres include Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Mohali/SAS Nagar, Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Sangrur and Ropar/Rupnagar.