India Facts & Geography — Total Area, States, Districts, Borders

India covers 32,87,263 square kilometres — the 7th largest country in the world — with 28 states, 8 Union Territories, 766 districts, 7 land borders totalling 15,106 km, and a 7,516 km coastline. India's geography spans the Himalayas in the north, tropical coastlines in the south, the Thar Desert in the west, and northeastern rainforests. All data on this page is permanent geographic fact from Survey of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Geological Survey of India — it never changes and is always accurate.

India Facts & Geography — Complete Data
Survey of India · MHA · GSI permanent data
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Seconds Since Independence
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15 August 1947
Permanent fact
Earth Distance Travelled Today
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29.78 km/second
Astronomy
Vande Bharat Fleet Distance Today
--
161 services running
Indian Railways
Total Area of India
32,87,263 km²
7th largest country
Survey of India
Total Land Borders
15,106 km
7 neighbouring nations
MHA
Total Coastline
7,516 km
3 seas — Arabian, Bay, Indian
MHA
States & Union Territories
28 + 8
36 total units
MHA
Total Districts
766
Across all states/UTs
MHA
Highest Peak (India claim)
K2 — 8,611 m
Karakoram Range
GSI
Longest River
Ganga — 2,525 km
Bay of Bengal
CWC
India Geography — Complete Facts
Land & Area
Survey of India · Permanent
Total Area32,87,263 km²
Land Area29,73,193 km²
Water Bodies Area3,14,070 km²
Forest Cover7,15,343 km² (21.76%)
Desert Area (Thar)2,08,110 km²
World Rank by Area7th largest
Borders & Coastline
MHA · Permanent
Total Land Border15,106 km
Border with Bangladesh4,156 km (longest)
Border with China3,488 km
Border with Pakistan3,323 km
Total Coastline7,516 km
Islands Count1,382+ islands
Rivers & Water
CWC · Permanent
Total Rivers400+ rivers
Longest — Ganga2,525 km
Godavari River1,465 km
Major River Basins12 basins
Total Major Dams5,300+
Total Reservoir Capacity253 BCM
Mountains & Terrain
GSI · Permanent
Highest Peak (India claim)K2 — 8,611 m
Highest in Indian mainlandKangchenjunga — 8,586 m
Himalayan Length2,500 km
Western Ghats Length1,600 km
Thar Desert Area2,08,110 km²
Deccan Plateau Area~5 Lakh km²
Frequently Asked Questions
Click + to expand
What is the total area of India in square kilometres?

India covers 32,87,263 square kilometres — the 7th largest country in the world. Land area is 29,73,193 sq km and water bodies cover 3,14,070 sq km. India spans 3,214 km north to south and 2,933 km east to west. Source: Survey of India.

How many states and union territories are there in India?

India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories — 36 administrative units total. Largest state by area: Rajasthan (3,42,239 sq km). Smallest: Goa (3,702 sq km). Most populous: Uttar Pradesh (~23 Crore). Source: MHA.

How many districts are there in India?

India has 766 districts across all states and union territories. The number periodically changes as state governments bifurcate districts. UP has the most (75), Goa the fewest (2). Source: MHA.

What is India's longest river?

The Ganga is India's longest river at 2,525 km, flowing from Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand to the Bay of Bengal. Godavari (1,465 km) is the 2nd longest. India has over 400 rivers across 12 major basins. Source: CWC.

How long is India's coastline?

India has a coastline of 7,516 km along the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean. Including Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, the total extends to ~11,099 km. Source: MHA.