northeast India
Tripura
Tripura is a small but strategically important Northeast Indian state with Agartala as capital, a long border with Bangladesh on three sides, a history of Manikya rule and princely-state integration, Sixth Schedule tribal autonomy, Bengali-Kokborok social layers, rubber and bamboo livelihoods, and strong UPSC relevance for border governance, migration, identity, peace-building and sustainable hill development.
Capital
Agartala
Population
36.74 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
10,486 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
87.2%
Census of India 2011
Districts
8
State Profile
Tripura overview
Tripura is a Northeast Indian state with Agartala as capital, a long Bangladesh border on three sides, Indian borders with Assam and Mizoram, a Manikya princely-state past, merger with India on 15 October 1949, Union Territory status in 1956, statehood on 21 January 1972, and a major role in UPSC themes of tribal autonomy, migration, border governance, peace and connectivity.
Capital
Agartala
Region
northeast
Population
36.74 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
10,486 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Agartala
- Largest city
- Agartala
- Region
- northeast
- Population
- 36.74 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 10,486 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Bengali, Kokborok, English, Hindi, Manipuri, Chakma, Mog
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Rubber plantations, Bamboo and cane products, Tea
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- Tripura is one of India's clearest examples of princely-state integration in the Northeast because the Manikya-ruled princely state merged with the Indian Union on 15 October 1949.
- Its statehood on 21 January 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas Reorganisation Act, 1971 links it to the wider reorganisation of Northeast India, including Manipur and Meghalaya.
- Tripura is almost surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides, making it a high-value case for border management, fencing, border trade, refugee and migration-sensitive governance, cross-border connectivity and Act East policy.
- The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council under the Sixth Schedule makes the state important for tribal autonomy, land and culture governance, local representation and federal accommodation.
- Its economy connects rice cultivation, horticulture, rubber plantations, bamboo and cane products, tea, natural gas, border trade, tourism and small industries.
- Its society helps learners understand Bengali and Kokborok language layers, tribal and non-tribal coexistence, Partition migration, identity, urban Agartala, rural hills, jhum transition and social cohesion.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Agartala.
- Tripura was a princely state ruled by the Manikya dynasty before joining India.
- Tripura merged with the Indian Union on 15 October 1949.
- Tripura became a Union Territory in 1956.
- Tripura became a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas Reorganisation Act, 1971.
- The Tripura High Court is located at Agartala and was established on 23 March 2013.
- Tripura is almost surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides and shares Indian borders with Assam and Mizoram.
- Bengali and Kokborok are major languages; English is also used in official and educational contexts.
- Major communities include Bengalis, Tripuri/Tipra, Reang/Bru, Jamatia, Noatia, Halam, Chakma, Mog, Garo, Manipuri and others.
- The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council is a Sixth Schedule autonomous council covering a large part of the state's tribal areas.
- Important places include Agartala, Udaipur, Unakoti, Neermahal, Tripura Sundari Temple, Pilak, Devtamura/Chabimura, Jampui Hills, Sepahijala, Trishna, Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary, Ambassa, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar, Khowai, Belonia, Sabroom and the Akhaura border area.