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89 Interesting Facts About India That You Should Know

Last updated on May 23rd, 2023

India , officially the Republic of India, is the  most populous  country in the world . India has a total area of 3,287,263 sq km. It is a country in South Asia and has  28 states . The country’s  capital state is New Delhi . India has eight union territories . Its official language is Hindi. It does not have any national language. The nationals or citizens of India are called Indians.

The Indian currency is known as the Indian Rupee (INR). India has seven land bordering countries that are Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh , and Myanmar. It shares maritime border with Sri Lanka , Thailand, Maldives and Indonesia. With these interesting facts about India, let us learn about its history, geography, culture, flag, famous people, agriculture, notable inventions, and much more. 

89 Interesting facts about India

What’s in name.

1. The name ‘India’ is derived from the river Indus. It is a valley around which people settled in earlier times.

Its civilization

2. India is the  world’s oldest, largest and continuous civilization – the Indus Valley civilization.

3. India is also one of the  largest democracies  in the world.

World’s largest postal system

4. India has the  largest postal system in the world with more than 150,000 post offices, which is thrice the size of that of China . India has the world’s only floating post office on Dal Lake, Sri Nagar. The office provides all regular postal services.

5. Sonam Wangchuk, an engineer and innovator born in Ladakh, India, designed the SECMOL campus that runs on solar energy. The campus also provides clean energy for heating, lighting and cooking. The building is designed in such a way that even when the minimum outside temperature falls to minus 25 degrees Celsius, the normal evening temperature inside this campus in the coldest part of the winter stays around plus 14 degrees Celsius. The building has south facing windows to collect heat during winter and insulation is also used in the roof, outer walls and some places under the floor. The building is made from earth. So they dig and use the same material and mix some sand and clay to get the desired strength for the building’s constitution. The construction of the building is such that no electric lights are needed during the day.

World’s most active mosques

6. India has more than 300,000 active mosques . This outnumbers any other country in the world, even the Muslim countries.

7. The  second largest pool of engineers and scientists is from India.

English speakers are in plenty!

8. India is the  second largest English speaking country in the world – 128,279,412 numbers of English speakers.

World’s largest Hindu population

9. India has the world’s largest Hindu population. Nearly 81% of its population identifies itself as Hindu. India is one of the three countries (other are Nepal and Mauritius ) in the world where Hinduism is the majority.

An 80 year old sharp shooter!

10. Did you know that a sharp shooter from India who is more than 80 years old; and who started her shooting career in her late sixties is the oldest (woman) sharp shooter in the world? Chandro Tomar known as “Shooter Dadi” was born in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, India. To date she has won more than 25 national championships and counting. She  has won  gold at the Veteran  Shooting Championship  held in Chennai. Her top honour  is  a  national bronze. Interestingly, she began shooting by chance when she took her granddaughter to a nearby rifle club. Apart from her shooting skills, she also looks after her big family and does regular household chores. She also maintains a Twitter account. 

An Ocean named after India

11. India is the only country to have an entire ocean named after it, i.e. Indian Ocean. Commonly, there are a total of five oceans in the world, namely; Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Southern Ocean.

12. India has the fastest growing telecom market and cheapest telecom tariff in the world.

The largest planned city in the world

13. Navi Mumbai, a planned satellite township of Mumbai, is the largest planned city in the world. Its development was started in 1972 to de-congest Mumbai.

14. London has more Indian restaurants than Mumbai or Delhi.

The oldest marathon runner in the world

15. If you are amazed after reading about the Shooter Dadi, here is another fascinating person for you to learn about: Fauja Singh – the oldest marathon runner in the world. He was born on 1 st April, 1908 in Beas Pind, Punjab, British India. To inspire you further, it is important to mention here that Fauja Singh was not able to walk until he was five years old. He took up running at the age of 89 and when he first showed up for the marathon running training, he was in three-piece suit. He was featured alongside Mohammad Ali and David Beckham in an advertising campaign in 2004 by Adidas. He competed in his last marathon race in Hong Kong in 2013 clocking 1 hour 32 minutes and 28 seconds until he reached the finish line .

16. Bollywood is the largest movie industry in terms of output, followed by Nollywood – the movie industry of Nigeria.

17. India is also the country in which the highest number of votes were cast for a national general election. In 2009, the country saw its 417 million people cast their votes in five phases to elect the 543 members of the 15 th Lok Sabha.

Location of India on the map

485 children dressed as Mahatma Gandhi

18. A world record was set when 485 children dressed as Mahatma Gandhi gathered and walked in Kolkata. The walk was a demonstration to attain peace in the country and the world.

19. Jyoti Kisange Amge is the world’s shortest living woman. She was born on 16 December 1993. She is 62.8 centimeters tall (2 ft 0.6 in.)

Human with most teeth in the world

20. With 37 teeth in his mouth, Vijay Kumar V.A. from India has the most teeth in the world.

21. Benny Prasad, born 1975, is the fastest man to travel all the 195 countries in the world. He is a gospel musician and instrumental guitarist from India.

22. A crazy story of an Indian dad and his son would again make you wander about the creative abilities of the human mind. We all have seen water tanks but not like the ones that were built by Mr Lubhaya in the town of Jalandhar, Punjab, India. In the early nineties, Mr Lubhaya Kaul built a water tank in the shape of a football. He built the tank in two parts and later assembled them for one unit. Once the water tank made its impression on the public’s mind, Mr Kaul started getting orders for building statues on the rooftops of the local residents as well. He started pursuing his passion and was later joined by his son Balwinder Kaul. To date, the father-son duo has crafted more than 3,000 water tanks in various shapes and sizes including those resembling airplanes , tractors, eagles, trucks, navy ships etc.

23. India’s space program is among the top five space programs in the world despite having budget constraints.

24. India is the  7 th  largest country in the world and the largest democracy.

25. India has one of the world’s highest rates of abortion . 

The world’s largest school 

26. The City Montessori School, in Lucknow, is the world’s largest school  in terms of students with over 45,000 inductees.

27. India is the  world’s largest milk producer , with 16 percent of global production, followed by the United States of America , China , Pakistan , and Brazil .

28. World’s largest religious building, Angkor Wat is a Hindu Temple in Cambodia dedicated to lord Vishnu. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century.

29. According to a report published by CNN is 2013, India’s “Go Air” a budget airline, plans to hire predominantly female flight attendants. They made this decision based on the fact that an average female flight attendant is lighter than their male counterparts by 15-20 kilos. Thus, this weight saving will ultimately lead to saving fuel amounting to a total saving of $500,000 per year. Smart move, we must say!

India was so good at Hockey that the British withdrew

30. In 1928, India was so good at Hockey that the British withdrew from the Amsterdam Olympics to avoid a possible embarrassing defeat by its own colony. What the British feared happened! The Indian team won the Olympics Hockey final beating Holland 3-0. And the team repeated their triumph in the Olympics in 1932 as well.

31. India leads the world with the  largest number of films .

4700 daily newspaper

32. Over 4700 daily newspapers  in more than 300 languages are produced in India.

33. Did you know that the world’s lightest satellite was not built by a renowned space agency like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) but by a bunch of Indian science enthusiasts from Chennai, Tamil Nadu? The satellite that weighed only 64 grams is the world’s smallest and lightest satellite till date and was launched into space with the help of a NASA rocket. The satellite did get into space but did not get into orbit.

34. Another satellite made by the same group of space enthusiasts that weighed only 1.26 kg, the Kalamset-V2, was launched by the Indian Space and Research Organization from its Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. According to the ISRO chief K. Sivan, “Kalamset-V2 was the lightest satellite to be ever built and launched into orbit.”

35. The  largest wholesale spice market of Asia is in India – Khari Baoli, New Delhi.

36. India’s road network is the world’s second largest with 4,865,000 km of roads constructed. (2014)

The snake man

37. Vava Suresh, popularly known as “The Snake Man” of Kerala, is a wildlife conservationist from India. His mission is about saving snakes that stray into human inhabited areas. He has rescued/captured more than 52,000 snakes. He was born in 1974 in Trivandrum, Kerala. It is believed that he has been bitten more than 3,000 times including 300 times by some venomous snake. On some of the occasions when he was bitten by venomous snakes, he was kept in ICU and on ventilator.

The world’s biggest family

38. India is house to the world’s biggest family: 39 wives, 94 children, and 33 grandchildren. The family lives in a 100-room, four-story house set amidst the hills of Baktwang village in the Indian state of Mizoram.

Facts about Indians and their inventions

39. Mahatma Gandhi is known as The Father of the Nation. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He died in 1948 and was responsible for the freedom of India along with other freedom fighters.

40. In 1948, the Nobel Peace Prize was not awarded. It would have been awarded to Mahatma Gandhi, however, due to his assassination; it was left unassigned in his honor. The  Nobel  Committee declined to  award  a  prize  on the ground that “there was  no suitable living candidate” that year. Interestingly, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and, finally, a few days before he was murdered in January 1948.

41. ‘Zero’ in the number system was invented by a mathematician from India. His name was Aryabhatta.

42. The Human Calculator, Shakuntala Devi is a math prodigy from India . She could calculate 7,686,369,774,870 × 2,465,099,745,779 and provided the correct answer in mere 28 seconds.

43. Chess  was invented in India.

44. Apart from the U.S. and Japan , only India has built a super computer indigenously .

45. Yoga  originated from India and is still in existence for over 5000 years.

46. Calculus, Trigonometry, and Algebra originated in India.

The national flag of India

The National Flag of India is a horizontal tricolour with deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The saffron indicates the strength and courage of the country; the white indicates peace and truth; and the green shows the fertility, growth, and auspiciousness of the land. The flag has the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its center. The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya. It was adopted on 22 July 1947.

47. The decimal system and place value system  were developed in India around 100 B.C.

48. Snakes and ladders  – the game, was invented in India in the 13 th  century by a poet saint Gyandev. The ladders represent the virtues while the snakes indicate vices. The game was designed on the basis of the concept that good deeds take you to heaven while bad deeds take you to hell.

49. 90 countries from all over the world buy software from India.

The first-ever university in the world

50. Takshila, the first-ever university in the world started around 700 BC in India.

51. India is the place of origin of Buddhism and Jainism .

52. In August of 1982, ‘the highest bridge in the world’ – the Baily Bridge, was built by Indian Army.

53. Switzerland has declared May 26 as ‘The Science Day’ in honor of visiting President APJ Abdul Kalam . Sadly, the former president passed away on 27 July 2015 in Shillong, Meghalaya, India.

54. More than $6 million is donated in the Vishnu temple in the city of Tirupathi . It was built in the 10th century.

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Essay on India

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Essay on India in 150 words

Essay on india in 200-300 words, essay on india in 500-1000 words.

India, a diverse and culturally rich country located in South Asia, is renowned for its vibrant festivals, ancient heritage sites, and diverse landscapes. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is a melting pot of religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is a secular nation that upholds democracy and freedom. India has made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy. Despite challenges, it has achieved progress in various fields, including technology and economic growth. As the world’s largest democracy, India’s cultural richness, traditions, and hospitality attract tourists from around the world. With a young and dynamic workforce, India is emerging as a global player in innovation and entrepreneurship. India’s resilience, cultural heritage, and growing influence continue to captivate the world, making it an important player on the global stage.

India, known as the land of diversity, is a country of rich culture, history, and traditions. It is located in South Asia and is the seventh-largest country by land area. India is renowned for its vibrant festivals, ancient heritage sites, and diverse landscapes, ranging from the majestic Himalayas to the serene backwaters of Kerala.

With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is a melting pot of different religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is a secular country that upholds the principles of democracy and freedom. India has made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy throughout history.

Despite its challenges, India has achieved notable progress in various fields, including technology, space exploration, and economic growth. It is the world’s largest democracy and has a parliamentary system of government. India’s cultural richness, traditions, and hospitality attract millions of tourists from around the world each year.

In recent years, India has emerged as a global player, contributing to the world economy, science, and technology. It is home to a young and dynamic workforce that is driving innovation and entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, India is a country that embraces diversity, celebrates its rich cultural heritage, and strives for progress. With its vast landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant culture, India continues to captivate the world. The resilience and spirit of its people, coupled with its growing influence, make India a significant player on the global stage.

Title: India – A Tapestry of Diversity, Heritage, and Progress

Introduction :

India, a nation located in South Asia, is a land of rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India is known for its vibrant festivals, ancient history, and varied cuisines. This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of India, including its rich cultural tapestry, historical significance, economic growth, and contributions to the world. From the majestic Himalayas in the north to the serene backwaters of Kerala in the south, India’s beauty and diversity captivate the hearts of millions. Let us embark on a journey through the vibrant and enchanting land of India.

Cultural Heritage

India’s cultural heritage is as vast and diverse as its geographical expanse. It is a melting pot of religions, languages, and customs. The country is home to numerous religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Each religion has its own unique rituals, traditions, and festivals, contributing to the colorful tapestry of Indian culture. Festivals like Diwali, Eid, Holi, Christmas, and Durga Puja are celebrated with great enthusiasm and are a reflection of India’s religious diversity.

Historical Significance

India boasts a rich history that spans thousands of years. It has been the birthplace of several ancient civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization and the Maurya and Gupta Empires. The country has been the center of learning and trade for centuries, attracting scholars, explorers, and traders from around the world. The Mughal Empire, known for its architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, left a lasting legacy on India’s history. The British colonial rule in India and the subsequent struggle for independence led by Mahatma Gandhi shaped the modern history of the nation.

Economic Growth

India has experienced significant economic growth in recent years. It is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and has become a prominent player on the global stage. The country has embraced economic liberalization, attracting foreign investments and fostering entrepreneurship. India’s information technology industry, pharmaceutical sector, and service industries have flourished, contributing to its economic prosperity. However, challenges such as poverty, income inequality, and unemployment persist, highlighting the need for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Contributions to the World

India has made remarkable contributions to various fields, including science, literature, arts, and spirituality. Ancient Indian scholars made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Indian literature, such as the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, continues to inspire and influence people worldwide. Indian art forms like classical music, dance, and cinema have gained international recognition for their richness and beauty. Spiritual traditions like yoga and meditation have transcended borders, offering tools for holistic well-being.

Unity in Diversity

India’s strength lies in its unity amidst diversity. Despite its linguistic, religious, and cultural differences, the people of India have come together as a nation. The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, upholds the principles of democracy, secularism, and unity. The diverse fabric of Indian society is reflected in its official languages, Hindi and English, and the recognition of regional languages. India’s unity in diversity is celebrated through cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of national integration.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

India faces a range of challenges, including poverty, environmental degradation, healthcare disparities, and social inequality. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts in education, healthcare, sustainable development, and social welfare. However, India also presents immense opportunities for progress. With a young and dynamic workforce, a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and a growing middle class, India has the potential to achieve inclusive growth, technological advancements, and social transformation.

Conclusion :

India, with its diverse cultures, historical significance, economic growth, and contributions to the world, stands as a shining example of unity in diversity. The nation’s cultural heritage, ancient history, and rapid development reflect its resilience and potential. As India continues its journey toward progress and prosperity, it must embrace sustainable development, address societal challenges, and build an inclusive and equitable society. India’s beauty, traditions, and people leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who explore its captivating tapestry.

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India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides.

India is part of the continent of Asia. Most of India forms a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. The world's highest mountain range, the Himalaya, rises in the north. The southeast is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, and the southwest is bordered by the Arabian Sea.

India's terrain varies widely, from the Thar Desert in the west to jungles in the northeast. A fertile area called the Ganges Plain covers much of northern India. This formation was created from soil that was deposited by rivers running from the Himalaya. In some places, this layer of silt is over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) deep.

Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Society throughout India is divided into social ranks, called castes. Caste is determined by birth and there is almost no way to change it. High castes include priests, landowners, and soldiers. So-called Untouchables have no caste and do the most menial jobs.

India is a very spiritual country. It has no official religion, but more than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu. About 13 percent are Muslim. Other religions include Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, which all began in India.

For thousands of years, since the Hindu religion first evolved, respect for animal life has been an important part of Indians' beliefs. Cows in particular are sacred and cannot be harmed. They are even allowed to wander through city streets, which often causes traffic jams!

India's varied climate zones support about 65,000 animal species, including elephants , pythons, river dolphins, and rhinos, and 12,000 types of flowering plants. It is the only country in the world with both lions and tigers . It's also a bird watcher's paradise.

On the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. Here, tigers swim in the same rivers as dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles. This unique landscape is constantly under threat as sea levels rise and humans hunt illegally and clear trees for firewood.

The Himalaya mountains provide a home for some of India's rarest animals and plants. The most elusive animal is the snow leopard. Bears and black buck live lower down, and in the northeast, the tiger and one-horned rhinoceros can be found.

GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY

India's parliamentary government was inherited from the British. After independence in 1947, one party, the Congress Party, and one family, the Nehru family, dominated politics in India for decades. Now, however, many parties compete for elected positions.

India's economy is growing so fast that experts predict it will soon become one of the world's leading markets. Indians are hard workers. And though many are poorly educated, there are many others who are highly trained college graduates.

India's earliest known civilization arose about 5,000 years ago on the Indus River in what is now Pakistan. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of two huge cities with brick houses, piped water, and sewer systems. Nobody knows why, but these cities, called Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, were abandoned in 1700 B.C.

The Aryan people were farmers from Central Asia who arrived in India around 1500 B.C. They spoke Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest known languages. The Vedic Scriptures, writings that form the basis of the Hindu religion, were written during the Aryan reign.

In the 200-year reign of the Gupta Empire, starting in the fourth century A.D., arts, crafts, and sciences flourished. During this time, the Indian astronomer Aryabhatta determined that the Earth revolved around the sun. This was long before the Western world accepted the theory.

Beginning in the 16th century, following a series of invasions by Muslim forces, a Mongol leader named Babur founded the Mongol Empire. The Mongols oversaw a golden age of art, literature, and architecture in India between 1527 and 1707. They built roads, mosques, gardens, and enormous tombs, including the grand Taj Mahal.

In the late 1400s, Europeans arrived in India and began setting up trading companies. In 1757, Britain gained control over most of the country. Uprisings against British rule began in 1856. In 1920, the famous Mahatma Gandhi began nonviolent protests to push the British out. In 1947, India had independence.

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• India Essay

Essay on India

India is the largest democratic country. It is a big country divided into 29 states and 7 union territories. These states and union territories have been created so that the government can run the country more easily. India also has many different kinds of physical features in different parts of the country that are spread over its states and union territories. India is a very diverse country as well, which means that the people around the country are different in many ways. Even though India is such a diverse place, it is united as one country. 

Political Divisions

India is the seventh-largest country and has the second-largest population in the world. Here is the map of India showing 29 states and 7 union territories. These political divisions are made so that the government can run the country more easily. Though we live in different states, everyone is an Indian first.

[Image will be uploaded soon]

Physical Features

The Indian subcontinent has many different physical features shared with its neighbours that are also in the subcontinent – Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The physical features of India form six different natural regions. 

The Northern Mountains

The Northern Plains

The Great Indian Desert

The Southern Plateau

The Coastal Plains

The Island Regions

The Northern Mountains: These are the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. They form a natural boundary between India and a large part of Asia. Two neighbouring countries, Nepal and Bhutan are situated in these mountains. 

The Northern Plains: They are located to the south of the Himalayas. They extend into Pakistan in the west. Bangladesh is situated on the eastern part of the plains. 

The Great Indian Desert: The western part of India is a desert with less rainfall. This desert is called the Thar Desert. 

The Southern Plateau: This plateau region lies to the south of the Great Northern Plains and is called the Deccan Plateau. The Vindhya and Satpura ranges in the north, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats surround the Deccan Plateau. 

The Coastal Plains: The Eastern coastal plain lies between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats. The western coastal plain lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.

The Island Regions: The island regions of India are two archipelagos on either side of Peninsula India. The Lakshadweep Islands are in the Arabian Sea and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in the Bay of Bengal. 

The Rivers of India

The Indian subcontinent has many rivers. Some important rivers are the Indus, Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, the Narmada and Tapi rivers. 

These physical features and rivers link the people of India.

National Symbols

The National Flag of India is in the tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, the white for purity and the truth and the green for faith and fertility. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath and symbolizes India’s reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill. 

The National Anthem of India is Jana Gana Mana and the National song is Vande Mataram.

The National Animal of India is Tiger, which symbolizes grace, strength and power.

The National Bird of India is Peacock, which symbolizes beauty, majesty and pride. 

The National Flower of India is Lotus, which symbolizes purity, wealth, richness, knowledge and serenity.

The National Tree of India is the Great Banyan Tree and because of its characteristics and longevity, the tree is considered immortal and sacred. It is an integral part of the myths and legends in India.

The National Fruit is Mango and it is the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. 

Indian food is diverse. The geography of a region influences the food that people eat. The staple food of people is what grows in their regions. In North India, the staple food is Wheat. In East and South India, the staple food is Rice. In West India, the staple food is Millet. Daals are eaten in almost the entire country and prepared in different ways. 

Indians speak different languages. The Constitution of India mentions 22 languages. However, India has around 800 languages. Hindi is the official language of India. 

India is a country of many different religions and each has different festivals. Some important festivals are Baisakhi, Diwali, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra and Christmas. 

Unity in Diversity

The people of India, their foods, festivals and languages – all these make India a very diverse country. However, there are also things that unite the people of India:

The National symbols like the Indian flag and the National Anthem.

The Constitution of India, which was written in the early years of our Independence. It unites the Indians because it has rules and laws that are the same for all people. 

The Constitution says that all Indians are equal in the eyes of the law.

All Indians who are over the age of 18 and have registered as voters can vote in elections.

FAQs on India Essay

Q1. Describe the National Flag of India.

Ans. The National Flag of India is in the tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The saffron stands for courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, the white, for purity and the truth and the green for faith and fertility. In the centre of the white band, there is a wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital.

Q2. What is the population of India?

Ans. The population of India is 1 billion 325 million. India has the second-largest population in the world.

Q3. What are the important Festivals Celebrated in India?

Ans. Some of the important festivals celebrated in India are Diwali, Dussehra, Eid and Christmas.

Q4. Why is India called the largest Democratic Country?

Ans. India is the largest democratic country because the citizens of India have the right to elect their representatives who form and run the government.

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India for Kids

Here are some interesting facts about India for kids which were chosen and researched by children especially for children.

India Facts | Country Facts

• Population : 1.429 billion people live in India (2023)
• Capital city : New Delhi with about 32 million inhabitants
• Name : Republic of India or Bharat Ganrajya (in Hindi)
• Government : Democracy
• Languages : 22 official languages: Hindi is the most commonly spoken language and spoken by more than half of the Indians.

• Religion : mainly Hindus (80.5%), but also Muslims (13.4%) and other faiths.
• Climate : Mainly tropical. Mostly high temperatures and dry winters, tropical monsoon season from June to September. 
• Currency : 1 Indian Rupee (INR) = 100 Paise
• National Symbols : Lotus (national flower), tiger (national animal) and peacock (national bird). 

• National Days : India has three national days: Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi's Birthday! India celebrates the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on 2 October as India's 'Father of the Nation' was born on this day in 1869. Gandhi led the Indian people into independence from the British rule. He inspired many people in other countries with his peaceful protest movement.
• Prime Minister : Narendra Modi, in office since 2014

• History : Around 7000 BCE the first settlements were built in the area. The Indus Valley civilisation developed as the first urban culture in South Asia. In the 18th several European countries set up outposts in the region and the English East India company established many settlements along the coast and trading centres. 1857 saw a rebellion of the Indians against the British governors, after which Queen Victoria of England took over the crown rule of India and between 1858 and 1947, the British Raj (kingdom) was established in India. In 1947, India was divided into India and Pakistan. 15 August is celebrated in India as Independence Day. 

India for Kids | India Geography

India is the seventh largest country in the world. India is slightly bigger than one third of the USA. The country is located on the Asian continent.

The Himalayan mountains are located in the North of the country while the country on the peninsula is surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

India borders seven countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh . 

It takes a 8.5-hour flight from London/England to Delhi/India, 14 hours from New York/USA and 13 hours from Sydney/Australia.

India for Kids  India Geography Superlatives

India has some the world's highest mountains and a large high-lying area in the southern part of the country, the Deccan plateau. 

The highest mountain in India is the Kangchenjunga . This is also the third highest mountain in the world with 8,586 m/28,169 ft.

The Thar Desert covers a large area in the north west of the country and forms a natural border between India and Pakistan. About three quarters of the desert are located in India.

The  longest river in India is the Ganges River. This is the most sacred river to the Hindus.

Did you know that the name 'India' is derived from the river Indus?  The Indus river flows through India and along the border to Pakistan into the Arabian Sea.

India for Kids  India Landmarks and Attractions

India for Kids | Animals in India

India is home to many large mammals such as the snow leopard, the Indian rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger or the Asian elephant. 

There are also water buffalos and many different antelope species. Some species are endangered and threatened due to the rising population and settlements moving closer to wildlife habitats. 

Cows are considered as sacred by the Hindus and thus these animals are highly respected and honoured as they symbolise strength and provide life-giving milk. So do not wonder when you see cows wandering about in the middle of the road or when somebody is bowing to a cow!

India for Kids India People | Indians

India is the  most populous country  in the world and has many big cities. However, about two thirds of the population still live in rural areas.

Most of the people in India live in the country's northern regions along the fertile banks of the Ganges river and the southern coastal regions. 

India's biggest cities are:

• Delhi: 32 million
• Mumbai: 22 million
• Kolkata: 15 million
• Bangalore: 12 million

Tradition and social classes or 'castes' are still part of the society, although there are laws in place that make 'Untouchability' illegal and fortunately discrimination due to the caste-system is becoming less in the Indian society.

Family values are important in traditional families and arranged marriage still play a big part especially in rural regions.

Did you know that in India, cars drive on the left side of the road as they do in the UK and Australia?

Road signs on national highways are in English and Hindi.

India for Kids | Indian economy

India is one of the founding members of BRICS and is amongst the world's top countries with a strong and growing economy. BRICS is the group of the five countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

India has the largest economy in South Asia. However, the country is also suffers high inequality and about one fifth of the population live below the poverty line. About half of the population works in the agricultural sector.

The country's main economic sectors are the service sector and agriculture. India is the world's top producer of milk, pulses, jute and the second largest producer of cotton, wheat and rice.

The main trading partners are China, the USA and the UAE.

India for Kids | Indian Food

As India is a large and very diverse country, also the agricultural products are very different. Thus the food and cooking styles are different from region to region.

Indian staple food are rice, lentils, breads and spices. Further, fish and seafood at the coast and chicken, pork, beef and game meats depending on the region. Many dishes contain vegetables such as spinach, peas or mustard greens as well as fruit such as mango, pineapple or bananas.

Indian food is generally spiced a lot and some regions are known for extremely hot and spicy food. Commonly used spices are chilli and ginger, cardamon, cinnamon, cumin (jeera), coriander (dhania) and cloves. Many dishes also use yoghurt, cottage cheese or paneer (white unsalted cheese - you can see the paneer cubes in spinach sauce in the image below)

Typical Indian food :

• curry : curries come in all guises and are made with lots of spices. The ingredients of the curries are chosen according to season and regional availability of products, so there will be fish curries in the southern state of Kerala, while the lamb curry, called Rogan Josh, is popular in the northern Kashmir region.
• butter chicken : rich and creamy chicken stew with tomatoes, onions and spices
• vindaloo : spicy meat ( pork, lamb or chicken)  marinated in vinegar mixed with potatoes
• samosas : crispy fried parcels filled with spicy meat or vegetables. They are often served with a mint sauce.
• biryani : rice dish with chicken and vegetables, herbs and spices

• roti : a flat bread that filled with meat or vegetables. Rotis are also used with many dishes to scoop the sauces
• jalebi : deep-fried batter that is dipped in sweet sugary coating
• lassi : yoghurt-based drink, often spiced with cardamon or cumin and flavoured with fruit such as mango 

Indians eat meat but remember that different faiths do not allow their followers to eat certain types of meat. Cows are considered holy by the Hindu, thus many Indians will not eat beef. Beef is even banned in several states!

Muslims do not eat pork, so in the northern regions where most Indian muslims live, pork will not be served.

Food is eaten by Indians traditionally with the right hand, the left hand is only used for serving oneself. However, many Indians today also use cutlery such as forks and spoons.

Did you know that...?

… the India Gate which stands in Delhi is a war memorial. It was build in remembrance of over 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in the First World War.

The memorial is 42 m/ 132 ft. high and stands in the middle of a crossroad. The names of 13 218 dead soldiers are engraved in small letters the memorial.

India for Kids Resources 

• Central Intelligence Agency. "India". CIA World Fact Book . Updated 15 August 2023. Last accessed 22 August 2023
• Kiddle. "Mahatma Gandhi Facts for Kids".  Kiddle Encyclopedia.  Updated 1 July 2019. Last accessed 22 August 2023
• National Portal of India. "India at a Glance".  National Portal of India .  Last accessed 22 August 2023
• National Portal of India. "India - National Symbols".  National Portal of India .  Last accessed 22 August 2023
• Ministry of Tourism. "Incredible India".  India Ministry of Tourism . Last accessed 22 August 2023

Images on India for Kids: Indian girls by Kaetan/shutterstock.com, Kolkata street life by Phung D Nguyen/shutterstock.com, others from shutter stock.com, sxc.hu and own images.

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25 awesome facts about India that prove how impressive the country truly is

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updated 11.07.2023

Over 1.3 billion people live in India , making it the 2nd most populous country in the world. From the vast deserts of Rajasthan and the blissful beaches of Goa to the vibrant Keralan tea plantations and the busy metropolitan cities of Mumbai and Kolkata . With such a huge diversity of landscapes, religion and culture, these India facts have the power to energise your senses. Have you ever wondered what the national language of India is? or Where Bollywood ranks on the world stage for film production? Discover more about this fascinating country with these top 25 facts about India.

• 9 interesting facts about India's people

7 impressive economic facts about India

• 6 fun facts about India's food/beverage scene

3 wild nature facts of India

(continued below) :

Travel ideas for India, created by local experts

13 days  / from 1800 USD

A Trek Through Ladakh's Markha Valley

Trek through the Markha Valley, taking in the jaw-dropping Himalayan landscape, camp in traditional mountain villages, and discover hilltop monasteries. This unique journey combines the culture of the Buddhist faith with the natural beauty of the mountains and the hustle and bustle of Delhi.

15 days  / from 2745 USD

Rajasthan: The Land of Kings

Experience the Land of Kings in luxury.This trip around Rajasthan takes you to Jaipur's palaces, sacred pilgrimage sites and deep into the desert hills. Breathe in the excitement of Delhi and visit the Taj Mahal. Then come nightfall, lay your head to rest in former royal palaces and magical forts.

6 days  / from 785 USD

The Holy City of Varanasi

The flat, sunburnt plains of the Ganges River are India's breadbasket: a densely populated area, it is home to many of the country's greatest sights. See Delhi and all its treasures, then fly to Varanasi, the most sacred stretch of the Ganges and one of India's most intense and atmospheric places.

9 interesting facts about India's people

With a population of nearly 1.4 billion, India's people are as diverse as its landscape and history.

1. India's only female prime minister was assassinated

Indira Gandhi was India's first and only female prime minister. She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru – India's first prime minister– not the child of leader Mahatma Gandhi as her surname might suggest. She served from 1966-1977 and was re-elected in 1980 before being assassinated in 1984 while still in office.

2. Mother Teresa's sari is still symbolic

Mother Teresa first donned her famous sari in 1948; it's now the uniform for nuns in her order, the Missionaries of Charity. Born in Macedonia in 1910, Mother Teresa – also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta – was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She devoted her life to helping the poor in the city of Calcutta , although her methods were considered controversial by some.

3. Indian weddings are a colourful occasion

A woman may be forbidden from housework while any colour from the bridal mendhi (henna) is on her hands. Indian weddings are often colourful extended occasions that can last for anything from 3 days to a full week. The ceremonies start with the Ganesh pooja , Usually, a private ceremony that takes place with the couple and their close families to honour good fortune, followed by the mendhi ceremony the next day where henna patterns are painted on the bride and her female friends and family. That evening, there's often the sangeet- a musical night to welcome all the wedding guests, with the main ceremony and reception happening on the third day.

4. The country is third in the world for billionaires

India now boasts 6,884 ultra-high-net-worth individuals with assets over US $30 million and claims to have 140 billionaires- ranking the country third in the world for billionaires, behind the USA and China.

5. The majority of the population is Hindu

Nearly 80 percent of India's population are Hindu, 15 percent are Muslim and millions more are Sikh, Jain or Christian.

6. Not just one national language

In India, there isn’t one national language- the constitution states there are 23 official languages. While Hindi is the most widely spoken and the language of the central government in India, no language is more official than the others. According to the constitution, each of the 22 local languages (plus English) are of equal importance.

7. The sari is over 5000 years old

The sari dates back to at least 3000 BCE. Sari wearers often choose the colour of their garment based on the occasion. Red is often worn by brides to symbolise fertility and prosperity.

8. Improvement in literacy

India has an adult literacy rate of nearly 75 percent. While the country has made significant improvements over the years, it has yet to meet the worldwide average literacy rate of 86.5 percent.

9. The origins of chess

It is claimed that the game of chess originated in India some 1,500 years ago. It is said to be based on the 7th-century war game called chaturanga that flourished in northwestern India at the time.

Emerging as one of the fastest growing major economies in the world, India is expected to be one of the top 3 economic powers in 10-15 years.

1. India is the third-largest economy

In terms of purchasing power (comparing economic productivity and standards of living), India is the world's third-largest economy.

2. Closed currency restrictions

The Indian rupee is a closed currency- there are harsh restrictions on bringing the currency in and out of the country. Visitors must arrive with cash and exchange their money at the airport or bank currency booth, or use an ATM to withdraw rupees once in the country.

3. Bollywood shines on the world stage

Bollywood is the world's largest producer of films, surpassing Nollywood (Nigerian Cinema) and even Hollywood. On average, Bollywood produces between 1,500-2,000 feature films a year.

Are you curious to know more about the inner workings of the Bollywood industry? Head to Mumbai to partake in a Film City Bollywood experience .

4. The powerhouse of Indian Railways

Indian Railways is one of the top employers on the planet. With a staggering 1.4 million employees, India's state-owned railway network operates a huge, extensive network that extends across the country for hundreds of thousands of miles. Each day roughly 23 million passengers are transported on this extensive network.

5. Newspapers to millions

India is the second-largest market of newspapers in the world- over 100,000 publications and 1300 million readers.

6. Outsourcing experts

Roughly 67 percent of the world’s outsourcing is done in India. The Indian IT industry is valued at US 150- billion.

7. Nalanda International University is one of the world's most ancient

In rural Bihar, Nalanda, one of the world's most ancient universities is being rebuilt. It was first established as a centre of learning in the 5th century CE when a large Buddhist monastery stood on site. The new Nalanda International University is set to be completed in 2021/22- offering post-graduate courses on a wide variety of subjects.

The university is located in the rural area of Bihar, we recommend staying in comfort while you explore history.

The ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda University Excavated Site, India © Shutterstock

6 fun facts about India's food/beverage scene

India's cuisine made of local spices, herbs, vegetables and fruits has influenced other cuisines from around the world- from Europe to the Caribbean.

1. Oldest cuisine in human history

Indian cuisine may be the oldest continuously prepared cuisine in known human history. Of course, what we know at home as "Indian food" varies widely from place to place in the country itself. From the Portuguese-inspired dishes of Goa to the tandoori ovens of the Punjab, there's a wealth of different dishes to discover on a trip to the country.

2. Dabbawallahs deliver a staggering amount of lunches

Normally, Mumbai's foodservice network known as dabbawallahs delivers over 200,000 lunch boxes by bike and train from home to office daily. Unfortunately, the pandemic has drastically impacted their services- with many students and workers staying at home. In an intricate system, each person receives the correct tiffin box filled with hot food prepared by their family, and in the afternoon the empty boxes are picked up and returned home again. There's even a movie based on the phenomenon, 2013's The Lunchbox .

Discover Mumbai by local transport and taste a dabbawallah lunch for yourself.

3. Tea dating back to 750 BCE

Tea had been growing in India for centuries before the British began its commercial cultivation. The first recorded mention of tea in the country dates back to 750 BCE, and it was reportedly also consumed as a vegetable dish, fried in oil with garlic. When the British arrived in the 18th century, they began growing tea on a commercial scale to reduce their reliance on buying tea from China.

4. Alcohol is banned in some states

Alcohol consumption is banned in five Indian states; the drinking age varies from 18 to 30 in the others. If you're travelling to Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland or the Union Territory of Lakshadweep know that you won’t be able to buy alcohol. In addition, many states practice "dry days" on major religious holidays, when it's forbidden to sell alcohol.

5. Britain's favourite dish has Indian roots

Chicken tikka masala has become one of Britain’s national dishes- some say it has overtaken Fish and Chips. Although there are discrepancies about how this favoured curry came to be in the UK- whether it was created in the ’70s by a Bangladeshi chef in Glasgow or simply inspired by butter chicken- the tikka part of the dish originated some 5,000 years ago in India.

6. Asia's largest wholesale spice market

Khari Baoli in Delhi is Asia's largest wholesale spice market. It's been in operation since the 17th century and is named after the street on which it's situated.

Wondering how to tackle the largest spice market in Asia? There's no need to be overwhelmed- you can always get a guide to navigate the labyrinth with you.

Supporting more than 8% of the world's biodiversity, India's raw beauty can be seen from its coastline to its forests.

1. It is home to the wettest inhabited place on earth

The state of Meghalaya, northeast India's "abode of clouds", is the wettest inhabited place on earth. The forested region has an average rainfall of 12,000 mm (470 inches) of rain every year. That's nearly 33mm of rain per day. Meghalaya's forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species, including the Himalayan black bear, the pangolin (scaly anteater) and the zebra-striped hoopoe bird.

2. White tigers are only found here

White tigers are only found among Indian tigers. White tigers a type of Bengal tiger created through a variant in pigmentation. They often grow into larger animals than their orange-coloured cousins.

When you're in the province of Rajasthan and want to spot these majestic Bengal tigers in the wild, head to Ranthambore National Park to check it off your bucket list.

3. The Bengal tiger is its national animal

The Bengal tiger is India's national animal. It was adopted as India's symbolic animal in 1972. Corbett Tiger Reserve has the largest population of Bengal tigers for visitors hoping to catch a glimpse closely followed by Bandipur National Park in Karnataka.

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Essay on History of India

Students are often asked to write an essay on History of India in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on History of India

Early civilizations.

India’s history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2500 BCE. Among the world’s oldest, it was known for its advanced urban planning.

Vedic Period

The Vedic Period followed, from 1500 to 500 BCE. This era saw the composition of the sacred Vedas, the foundation of Hinduism.

Empires and Kingdoms

Next came the Maurya and Gupta Empires, marking India’s ‘Golden Age’, with advancements in science, technology, art, religion, and philosophy.

Colonial Period

The British East India Company started ruling India from 1757, leading to the Colonial Period. This ended with India’s independence in 1947.

Also check:

• Speech on History of India

250 Words Essay on History of India

The ancient period.

India’s history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization, dating back to around 2500 BC. This civilization, renowned for its urban planning, sanitation systems, and trade networks, laid the foundation for future Indian societies.

The Vedic Age

The Vedic Age (1500-500 BC) marked the advent of the Indo-Aryans. The period is significant for the composition of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, which greatly influenced Indian philosophy, religion, and social structure.

The Maurya and Gupta Empires

The Maurya Empire (322-185 BC) was India’s first great unified empire. Its most famous ruler, Ashoka, embraced Buddhism and propagated its teachings. The Gupta Empire (320-550 AD), often referred to as the “Golden Age” of India, saw significant advancements in arts, science, and literature.

The Medieval Period

The Medieval Period witnessed the rise of Islamic empires, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. This era was characterized by architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, and a syncretic culture blending Hindu and Islamic traditions.

The Colonial Era and Independence

The 17th century marked the beginning of European colonialism, with the British East India Company gaining control by the mid-18th century. The struggle for independence, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, culminated in India gaining independence in 1947.

Modern India

Post-independence, India adopted a democratic system and embarked on a journey of economic and social development. Today, India stands as the world’s largest democracy, with a rich history that continues to shape its present and future.

500 Words Essay on History of India

Introduction.

India, a country rich in culture and heritage, has a history that spans more than 4500 years. This history is marked by a series of invasions, migrations, and trade relations that have significantly shaped its current identity. The history of India is a fascinating tale of cultural synthesis and evolution, marked by the rise and fall of empires, the development of art and science, and the intermingling of various religious and philosophical thoughts.

The ancient history of India begins with the Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2500 BCE. Known for its urban planning, sanitation systems, and a written script, this civilization laid the foundation for future Indian societies. The decline of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1500 BCE marked the beginning of the Vedic Age. This period saw the rise of the Aryan tribes, the composition of the Vedas, and the development of the caste system.

The Classical Age

The Classical Age of India began with the Mauryan Empire in the 4th century BCE. Emperor Ashoka, the most renowned Mauryan ruler, left a profound impact on Indian history through his advocacy of Buddhism and his edicts promoting moral and social values. The Gupta Empire, often referred to as the “Golden Age of India,” succeeded the Mauryas. This period saw significant advancements in science, mathematics, literature, and art.

Medieval India

The medieval period in Indian history was marked by the advent of Islam, brought by various invasions and the establishment of Sultanates. The Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire were the most prominent Islamic empires. The Mughal period, particularly under Emperor Akbar, was known for its cultural syncretism, architectural marvels, and administrative reforms.

Colonial Era and Independence

The arrival of Europeans, specifically the British, in the 17th century marked the beginning of the colonial era. The British East India Company gradually gained control over large parts of India, leading to direct rule by the British Crown after the Revolt of 1857. This period witnessed economic exploitation, social reforms, and the rise of a national consciousness leading to the independence movement. The struggle culminated in India gaining independence in 1947, followed by the traumatic partition into India and Pakistan.

Post-Independence Era

Post-independence, India adopted a democratic system of governance and embarked on a path of social, economic, and political development. It faced challenges such as integrating princely states, linguistic reorganization, and socio-economic disparities. Today, India is recognized as a significant global player, maintaining a delicate balance between its rich historical legacy and the demands of modernity.

The history of India is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. It is a narrative of cultural amalgamation, political transformations, and intellectual advancements. Understanding this history allows us to appreciate India’s diversity, its challenges, and its continuous quest for progress and harmony. While the country continues to grapple with numerous contemporary issues, its history provides valuable lessons and insights for the path ahead.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Agriculture – The Backbone of the India
• Essay on Achievements of India After Independence
• Essay on Women Education in India

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Essay on India in English for Children and Students

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Essay on India : India is the seventh-largest country and the most populous democracy in the world. It is located in South Asia and was officially declared the Republic of India after its independence from British rule. India has unique topographical features – plains of central India, rain forests of the northeast, icy cold Himalayan region, and dry arid desert in the west, among others. India’s cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity is as diverse as its geography.

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Indian culture differs from place to place and is a union of several different cultures spread across the length and breadth of the continent. Although there are 22 Languages imbibed in the Constitution of India, more than 1900 dialects or mother tongues are spoken throughout the nation. India’s huge cultural and linguistic diversity is one of its most distinguished features.

Long and Short Essay on India in English

India is one of the most famous countries in the world. Every citizen of India must know about its history, struggle, culture, and other important things.

Students are generally given this topic in their schools to write some paragraphs or full essays in the class tests or main exams.

Here we have given below long and short essays on India, which are well-written essays to help students under various word limits.

They can select anyone of these India essays according to the words limit:

Essay on India 100 words

India is a famous country all over the world. Geographically, our country is located to the south of the Asia continent. India is a high population country and well protected from all directions naturally. It is a famous country for its great cultural and traditional values all across the world. It contains a mountain called Himalaya, which is the biggest in the world.

Three big oceans surround it in three directions: the south with the Indian Ocean, the east with the Bay of Bengal, and the west with the Arabic sea. India is a democratic country that ranks second in its population. The national language of India is Hindi however, almost fourteen nationally recognized languages are spoken here.

Essay on India 150 words

India is a beautiful country and famous all over the world for its unique cultures and traditions. It is famous for its historical heritages and monuments. Citizens here are very polite and understanding in nature. It was a slave country earlier to 1947 under British rule.

However, after many years of hard struggles and sacrifices of the great Indian freedom fighters, India got freedom from British rule in 1947. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first Prime Minister, hoisted the Indian flag when India got freedom, and proclaimed, “When the world sleeps, India will wake to life and freedom.”

India is a democratic country where its public is authorized to take decisions for the betterment of the country. India is a famous country for the saying “Unity in Diversity” because people of many religions, castes, cultures, and traditions live together in unity. Most of the Indian heritages and monuments have been added to the world heritage sites.

Essay on India 200 words

India is my mother country, and I love it very much. The people of India are very honest and truthful in nature. People of various unique traditions and cultures live here together without any problem. The mother tongue of my country is Hindi however many languages are spoken here by people of different religions without any foundation. India is a great country of natural beauty where great people took birth from time to time and did great works. Indians are heart-touching in nature and heartily welcome guests from other countries.

In India, the Indian philosophy of life is called Sanatan Dharma and has become the main factor in maintaining unity in diversity here. India is a republic country where its citizens have the power to take decisions about the country.

There are many natural sceneries, places, monuments, historical heritage of ancient time, etc., which attracts people’s minds from every corner of the world. India is famous for its spiritual works, Yoga, martial arts, etc. A huge crowd of pilgrims and devotees come here to see and enjoy the beauty of famous places, temples, and other world heritage sites in India.

Essay on India 250 words

My country India is a land of Shiva, Parvati, Krishna, Hanuman, Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Kabir, etc. It is a country where great people took birth and did great work. I love my country very much and salute it. It is famous for its biggest democracy and oldest civilization in the world. It is the second most populous country in the world after the chain.

It is a country where courteous people of many religions and cultures live together. It is a country of great warriors such as Rana Pratap, Shivaji, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, and so many.

It is a rich country where great people took birth in literature, art, and science, such as Rabindranath Tagore, Sara Chandra, Premchand, C.V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, APJ Abdul Kalama, Kabir Das, etc. Such great people of India were proud of my country. All the great leaders came from villages and led the country to go ahead.

They fought for many years and sacrificed their lives to make India an independent country from British rule. It is a country where famous rivers and oceans are run regularly, such as the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Brahmaputra, Krishna, Kavery, Bay of Bengal, Arabic sea, etc. India is a beautiful country surrounded by the oceans from three sides. It is a country where people are very intellectual and spiritual and believe in God and Goddess.

Essay on India 300 words

India is my motherland country where I took birth. I love India and have proud of it. India is a big democratic country that ranks second in population after China. It has a rich and glorious past. It is considered the country of old civilization in the world. It is a land of learning where students from many corners come to study in the big universities.

It is famous for its various unique and diverse cultures and tradition of people of many religions. Some people abroad as well follow Indian culture and tradition because of being attracted to nature. Various invaders came and steal the glory and precious things of India. Some of them made it a slave country; however various great leaders of the country became successful in making my motherland free of Britishers in 1947.

The day our country got freedom means the 15 th of August is celebrated every year as Independence Day. Pt. Nehru became the first prime minister of India. It is a country rich in natural resources, yet the inhabitants here are poor. It is growing continuously in technology, science, and literature because of eminent people like Rabindra Nath Tagore, Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, Sir C.V.Raman, Shri H. N. Bhabha, etc. It is a peace-loving country where people of many religions follow their own culture and tradition as well as celebrate their festivals without any interference.

There are many glorious historical buildings, heritages, monuments and sceneries which attract people mind from different countries every year. Taj Mahal is a great monument in India and a symbol of eternal love and Kashmir as the heaven on the earth. It is a country of famous temples, mosques, churches, Gurudwaras, rivers, valleys, fertile plains, highest mountain, etc.

Essay on India 400 words

India is my country, and I am proud to be an Indian. It ranks as the seventh largest country in the world as well as the second most populated country in the world. It is also known as Bharat, Hindustan, and Aryavart. It is a peninsula means surrounded by oceans on three sides as Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean in the south. The national animal of India is a tiger, the national bird is a peacock, national flower is the lotus, and the national fruit is mango.

The flag of India has a tricolor, and saffron means purity (the uppermost), white means peace (the middle one having an Ashok Chakra), and green means fertility (the lowest one). Ashok Chakra contains equally divided 24 spokes. The national anthem of India is “Jana Gana Mana,” the national song is “Vande Mataram,” and the national sport is Hockey.

India is a country where people speak many languages, and people of different castes, creeds, religions, and cultures live together. That’s why India is famous for the common saying of “unity in diversity.” It is well known as the land of spirituality, philosophy, science, and technology. People of various religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have lived together in ancient times.

It is a famous country for its agriculture and farming, which are the backbones from ancient times. It uses its own produced food grains and fruits. It is a famous tourist paradise because it attracts people from all over the world. It is rich in monuments, tombs, churches, historical buildings, temples, museums, scenic beauty, wildlife sanctuaries, places of architecture, etc., which are its source of revenue.

It is where Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, golden temple, Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Ooty, Nilgiris, Kashmir, Khajuraho, Ajanta and Ellora caves, etc., wonders exist. It is a country of great rivers, mountains, valleys, lakes, and oceans. The national language of India is Hindi. It is a country where 29 states and UTs. It has 28 states which again have many small villages.

It is a chief agricultural country famous for producing crops of sugarcane, cotton, jute, rice, wheat, cereals, etc. It is a country where great leaders (Shivaji, Gandhiji, Nehru, Dr. Ambedkar, etc.), great scientists (Dr. Jagadeeshchandra Bose, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Dr. C. V Raman, Dr. Naralikar, etc.) and great reformers (Mother Teresa, Pandurangashastri Alhavale, T. N. Sheshan) took birth. It is a country where diversity exists with strong unity and peace.

Essay on India FAQs

What makes india special essay.

India is special due to its rich culture, history, and diverse traditions.

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To write an essay about India, describe its culture, heritage, and achievements.

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In my dream India, there's unity, education for all, and prosperity.

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India: Gross domestic product (GDP) in current prices from 1987 to 2029 (in billion U.S. dollars)

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National debt of India in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) 2029

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India in international comparison

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Essay on Constitution of India

500+ words indian constitution essay for students and children in english.

A Constitution is a set of rules and regulations guiding the administration of a country. The Constitution is the backbone of every democratic and secular fabric of the nation. The Constitution of India is the longest Constitution in the world, which describes the framework for political principles, procedures and powers of the government. The Constitution of India was written on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. In this essay on the Constitution of India, students will get to know the salient features of India’s Constitution and how it was formed.

Constitution of India Essay

On 26th January 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect. That’s why 26th January is celebrated as Republic Day in India.

How Was the Constitution of India Formed?

The representatives of the Indian people framed the Indian Constitution after a long period of debates and discussions. It is the most detailed Constitution in the world. No other Constitution has gone into such minute details as the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution of India was framed by a Constituent Assembly which was established in 1946. Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected President of the Constituent Assembly. A Drafting Committee was appointed to draft the Constitution and Dr B.R. Ambedkar was appointed as the Chairman. The making of the Constitution took a total of 166 days, which was spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days. Some of the salient features of the British, Irish, Swiss, French, Canadian and American Constitutions were incorporated while designing the Indian Constitution.

Also Read: Evolution and Framing of the Constitution

Features of The Constitution of India

The Constitution of India begins with a Preamble which contains the basic ideals and principles of the Constitution. It lays down the objectives of the Constitution.

The Longest Constitution in the world

The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest Constitution in the world. It had 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules at the time of commencement. Now it has 448 articles in 25 parts and 12 schedules. There are 104 amendments (took place on 25th January 2020 to extend the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies) that have been made in the Indian Constitution so far.

How Rigid and Flexible is the Indian Constitution?

One of the unique features of our Constitution is that it is not as rigid as the American Constitution or as flexible as the British Constitution. It means it is partly rigid and partly flexible. Owing to this, it can easily change and grow with the change of times.

The Preamble

The Preamble has been added later to the Constitution of India. The original Constitution does not have a preamble. The preamble states that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. The objectives stated by the Preamble are to secure justice, liberty, and equality for all citizens and promote fraternity to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.

Federal System with Unitary Features

The powers of the government are divided between the central government and the state governments. The Constitution divides the powers of three state organs, i.e., executive, judiciary and legislature. Hence, the Indian Constitution supports a federal system. It includes many unitary features such as a strong central power, emergency provisions, appointment of Governors by the President, etc.

Fundamental rights and fundamental duties

The Indian Constitution provides an elaborate list of Fundamental Rights to the citizens of India. The Constitution also provides a list of 11 duties of the citizens, known as the Fundamental Duties. Some of these duties include respect for the national flag and national anthem, integrity and unity of the country and safeguarding of public property.

Also Read: Difference between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties

India is a republic which means that a dictator or monarch does not rule the country. The government is of the people, by the people and for the people. Citizens nominate and elect its head after every five years.

Related Read: Constitution of India – 13 Major Features

The Constitution serves as guidelines for every citizen. It helped India to attain the status of a Republic in the world. Once Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that “governments would come and go, political parties would be formed and dissolved, but the country should survive, and democracy should remain there forever”.

We hope that this essay on the “Constitution of India” must have helped students. For the latest updates on ICSE/CBSE/State Board/Competitive Exams, stay tuned to BYJU’S. Also, download the BYJU’S App for watching interesting study videos.

Also Read: Independence Day Essay | Republic Day Essay | Essay on Women Empowerment

Frequently Asked Questions on Constitution of India Essay

Who is the father of our indian constitution.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is the father of our Indian Constitution. He framed and drafted our Constitution.

Who signed the Indian Constitution?

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first person from the Constitution Assembly to have signed the Indian Constitution.

What is mentioned in the Preamble of our Indian Constitution?

The preamble clearly communicates the purpose and emphasis the importance of the objectives of the Indian Constitution.

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• Interesting Facts /

28 Interesting Facts About Indian Railways

• Updated on  
• May 31, 2024

Since the days of steam and coal engines, Indian Railways has undergone significant development and progress over the course of its history. A bullet train is going to be operated by the Railways of India in the near future. In terms of the transportation system in our country, the development of railways in India is considered the most important component. Did you know it has its own ministry and budget? Moreover, it assists a significant portion of the country’s population in order to help them successfully run their day-to-day businesses. Here are some other interesting facts about Indian Railways for your exams. 

Historical Facts about Indian Railways

• In 1832, British India first proposed the idea of setting up a new railway station in colonized India .
• Many proposals for Indian railways were made in the 1840s, mainly around Calcutta and Bombay.
• 1845 was the year that a railway operation around Rajahmundry was built, named the Godavari Dam Construction Railway.
• The East India Railway followed the construction of the Madras Railway in 1845.
• On August 1, 1849, the Great Indian Peninsular was created by an Act of Parliament.
• In 1842, the Madras Guaranteed Railway Company came into existence. 

Amazing Fun Facts about Indian Railways

• Indian Railways is considered to have a 169-year-old heritage.
• The first passenger train in India ran between Mumbai’s Bori Bandar and Thane, which covered an area of about 34 kilometres.
• Bholu, which is an elephant dressed as a railway guard, is considered the mascot of the Indian Railways.
• It was in 2002 that the mascot came into existence when the National Institute of Design crafted it on the 150th anniversary of railways.
• India’s railway system is the fourth largest railway network, followed by the US , Russia, and China.
• The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka Shimla Railway are the four UNESCO world heritage sites owned by Indian Railways.
• The Indian Railways is considered to have 34 operational and 3 under-construction rail museums, heritage galleries, and art galleries that showcase its vast history as the nation’s transportation lifeline.
• With an area of about 1,366 meters in length, India’s railway system is considered to have the world’s longest platform, situated at Gorakhpur station.
• Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Palace on Wheels, The Golden Chariot, The Maharajas Express, and the Deccan Odyssey are the five royal trains owned by the Indian Railways.
• Mathura Junction, also known as the MTJ, is considered one of India’s most important railway stations because the maximum number of routes emerge from it. 
• The railway spends approximately 94% of its earnings on running trains and their smooth operation.
• The Diamond Crossing in Nagpur is from where the trains go to the east, west, north, and south.
• The Indian Railway is building the world’s tallest rail arch bridge using steel and concrete to cross the Chenab River.
• With employing approximately 1.4 million in India, the railway is considered the largest employer in the country.
• With 23 platforms that handle over 1 million passengers daily, Howrah Junction is considered the busiest railway station.
• Electric lights, fans, and outlets in train cars in India run on 110 volts, whereas in the home they only use 220 volts.
• There are a total of ten different classes of travel on the Indian Railways, which are categorized as 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, 3AE, EC, CC, FC, SL, 2S, and IIUR.
• The Shatabdi Express is India’s fastest-running train, travelling at a top speed of about 150 kilometres per hour.
• Indian Railways launched the Red Ribbon Express, a public awareness campaign train, on December 1, 2007, World AIDS Day.
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the New Delhi Railway Station interlocking system is considered the world’s largest route delay system.
• The Oldest Working Indian Locomotive, known as Fairy Queen, still functions as a passenger train between Delhi and Alwar.
• Pir Panjal, which is located in the middle Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, is the longest rail tunnel in India.
• Ahmednagar, Srirampur, and Belapur railway stations are located on opposite tracks of the same station.

Hope you had fun reading these interesting facts about Indian Railways. If you like reading about facts, you can visit our interesting facts page to read more such blogs. 

Hassan Ullah Khan

With a passion for storytelling and a knack for problem-solving, Hassan has developed a diverse skill set in multimedia journalism over the years. From capturing compelling images to crafting engaging narratives, Hassan has invested in the ability to connect with audiences on a profound level. His background provides a strong foundation in communication, while his extensive experience as a photographer and writer has allowed him to explore the intersection of art and journalism.

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Lok Sabha elections: LGBTQ Indians are more accepted than ever - but politics hasn't caught up

Madhu Bai says she is like a rainbow. She rose from a storm, fleetingly spread joy and then returned to the sky.

The 44-year-old made history in 2015 when she became the first trans person to be elected a mayor in India. She won in Raigarh, a small town in the central state of Chhattisgarh.

But when her term ended in 2020, Madhu returned to her old life without a pension or government benefits. She dances and sings with other hijras, or trans women, at weddings and birth ceremonies - a common livelihood in India's transgender community.

Madhu has no intention of re-joining politics. She says she is tired and thinks it's too polarised.

"I fought, won and worked for the people. Now I want to live for myself."

Madhu's short but successful political foray in India is a rarity in a field where the LGBTQ community is still heavily underrepresented.

It's perplexing, activists say, in a democracy where acceptance of sexual and gender diversity has been on the rise and the community has seen many wins.

In 2014, the Supreme Court officially recognised transgender people and their rights to welfare and other government benefits. Four years later, it scrapped a colonial-era ban on gay sex.

Over half of Indian adults now believe same-sex marriage should be legal , according to a Pew survey.

But LGBTQ Indians cannot only rely on the courts for change, as a ruling from the top court to not legalise same-sex unions demonstrated last year.

Judges declared that changing the law was a matter for politicians, not the justice system.

Campaigners say that LGBTQ politicians are the best advocates for their community. Yet in this year's general election, no major political party has fielded a single openly LGBTQ candidate.

"Queer people have been left out of conversations, told politics is not an avenue for them for so long," says Anish Gawande, a writer and founder of Pink List India, the country's first archive of politicians supporting LGBTQ+ rights.

"They never got the chance to build the necessary structures to advocate their demands."

No-one knows this better than Madhu. She says overcoming the ridicule and contempt of her opponents was more challenging than wooing voters, who connected with her instantly.

After going door-to-door with her friends for days, asking for money to fund the campaign, she struggled to get a party ticket.

Indian elections are expensive, and contesting independently without political funding is costlier. But she had no option after the two main political parties rejected her.

When she won, she thought leaders would take her seriously. They didn't.

At her first meeting, she says, members of several parties walked out. She alleges that a local leader threatened to slap her because he found her dance videos offensive. There were also days, in the beginning, when Madhu said she felt unsure whether she could use the women's washroom around party workers.

"People loved me and my work, but rivals hated my guts," she says. "Behind the ridicule and abuse, I know they were all thinking the same thing: 'How could a hijra be the mayor?'"

The only official data on India's LGBTQ population is the government estimate: 2.5 million. But survey estimates suggest the true figure could be over 135 million .

Campaigners say things have changed since Madhu won her seat.

Today, more Indians know someone who is LGBTQ than they did a few years ago. Even some politicians, who were once wary of the subject, are becoming allies and promising more rights.

"Political parties in India are slowly peeping out of the closet and talking more prominently about LGBTQ rights," says Harish Iyer, one of India's first openly gay persons to be involved with a political party.

There's also a growing momentum among the youth, who, Mr Iyer says, want to "do away with homophobia once and for all".

This year's election campaign comes months after the Supreme Court decided to not legalise same-sex unions.

Three opposition parties have promised to recognise same-sex couples legally, but the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - which polls suggest is likely to win a historic third term - has not.

Despite this, Mr Gawande insists that LGBTQ rights are a current that Indian politics can no longer dismiss. The community's social and cultural capital is "far in excess of its numerical strength", he says.

He expects the near future to bring wins on recognising relationships, affirmative action for trans people and access to healthcare.

Some of these fights might not grab headlines - especially those affecting poorer people, who are at the sharp end of exclusion from jobs, education and political opportunities.

"LGBTQ struggles need to be seen through the lens of caste privilege," says Grace Banu, a Dalit (formerly untouchable) trans woman activist from the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

Born in a poor family, she says she first faced discrimination because of her caste, and then over her gender.

When she came out at the age of 14, her school barred her from taking classes and made her sit under a tree as punishment. When she resisted, her parents put her in a psychiatric hospital to "cure her illness".

"I would tell myself that this cannot be my destiny," she says. "One day, I ran away to make my own fate."

Today, Ms Banu is a software engineer, the first trans woman with an engineering degree in her state, and considers herself a mother to 12 trans women.

She lives in Chennai with a clan of three trans women, all of whom are also involved in the anti-caste and trans rights movement.

Sprawled in the living room, they talk passionately about their lives, the conversations swerving across topics. One moment they are discussing their next court battle and the next minute they are wondering what to eat for lunch.

"The transgender, or the LGBTQ identity, is not a monolith," says Ms Banu, while her friends busy themselves in the kitchen, the clatter of plates occasionally interrupting the afternoon stillness.

The 44-year-old recently petitioned an Indian court seeking "horizontal reservations", or separate quotas for transgender people in government jobs, within the existing quotas for historically disadvantaged communities.

Ms Banu stresses that being transgender varies vastly across caste and class lines. Her fight, she says, focuses on the most marginalised.

At the other end of Chennai, in an upscale apartment along the sea, lives Apsara Reddy, a trans woman and spokesperson of AIADMK, one of Tamil Nadu's main political parties.

A former journalist with degrees from Australia and the UK, Ms Reddy's is a life of luxury: she drives a shiny silver Jaguar, collects art and wears the finest of silk saris.

Ms Reddy acknowledges her privilege, but says: "In politics, you need to look at the larger picture. You can't just be the voice of your own community."

Ms Reddy hasn't contested in an election but if she does, she doesn't want to be typecast "as an LGBTQ flagbearer" of her party.

"If you want to judge me, do it on the basis of my potential as a policy-maker, not my gender identity."

Activists say few in the LGBTQ community are able to come out like Ms Reddy, let alone conceive a life in politics.

Mr Gawande suggests that for a long time, the community was never a political priority.

The battle for equality taking place in the courts made it difficult for them to build relationships with other marginalised communities under a broader fight for equality, he says.

Now he wants the community to focus on grassroots political activism, which he believes will raise the profile of LGBTQ issues.

Mr Iyer, however, believes the ball is now in the court of the country's leaders. "We are your friends, your family, customers, beneficiaries; we are everywhere but you haven't looked for us. If you call us, we will come to you, and that's what we expect from political parties."

Back in Raigarh, Madhu says it gets hard to get by sometimes, without a fixed pay. But given the life she's had, she's not constrained by what may lie ahead.

"Whatever it is, it's definitely not politics," she says, her jaunty sing-song voice soaring into a laugh.

But she hopes others from the community seek political opportunities, so that queer people are no longer seen as oddities.

"Who knows, maybe then the country will see a rainbow again."

Videos shot by Prem Boominathan and edited by Danish Alam

Panorama of parties

Number of parties contesting Indian elections is at its highest, but expected winners remain unchanged.

Besides nearly a billion voters and more than a million polling stations, Indian general elections are big for another reason: the sheer number of aspirants.

The two large parties that have led most of India’s governments so far have fielded 769 candidates this year.

Two packed circles show the number of candidates fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress in the 2024 general elections in India.

Then there are more than 30 other parties contesting this year that won at least one seat in the previous election in 2019.

More than thirty extra circles show candidates filed by more than 30 other parties that had won at least one seat in the previous election in 2019.

That is not all. Hidden behind a heated contest between large parties are more than 700 less-known political parties clamouring for attention with diverse ideologies and ambitions, even if their chances of victory are very low.

More than 700 circles show all the parties that have fielded candidates in this year's elction.

Never before have so many parties contested for the Lok Sabha, the directly elected lower house of the Indian Parliament. The number of parties has been steadily rising, but those that managed to win seats have barely grown.

Parties contesting Lok Sabha elections

Bar chart shows the number of parties that contested each Lok Sabha election between 1962 and 2024, and the number of parties that won at least one seat in these elections. 744 parties have fielded candidates in the 2024 elections. There was a steep increase in the number of contesting parties from 1989 onwards, when more than a 100 parties contested. The number has been steadily increasing since then.

In addition to the 4,440 candidates fielded by different parties, there are 3,920 people contesting as independent candidates; all together, that makes 8,360 candidates in the fray, the largest in 28 years. Only 543 of them will be elected.

The rapid growth of Indian political parties from the late 1980s onward could be the result of several factors, said Rahul Verma, a fellow at the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Research, such as declining strength of the Congress party, fragmentation within the socialist blocs, and assertion of various political identities the country saw around that time.

In this respect, India is also an outlier among several major democracies.

Number of parties that contested the last election to the directly elected house of the respective national parliaments

Circles of varying sizes represent the number of parties that contested the last election to the directly elected house of the respective national parliaments in 14 large democracies. 744 parties are contesting the 2024 elections in India, the highest among the lot. The United Kingdom is in second place with 71 parties that contested the last election, followed by Thailand and Spain. Among these countries, Japan ranked the last with 13 countries.

Parties represent India’s diversity

Spread across thirty-six states and federal territories, Indians hailing from diverse ethnic origins speak hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects.

“Each group wants to be represented via its own leader, based on factors such as region, caste and sub-caste,” said Verma. “A large number of such formations mobilise voters on these issues.”

There are only three parties that contest elections across the country – the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). But only the first two have so far managed to win seats from a diverse set of states. In the 2019 elections, the BSP polled only 4% votes compared with 56% by the other two parties put together.

Seats contested by select national parties in 2024

Three maps of Lok Sabha seats in India show the seats contested by Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party in the 2024 elections.

Still, India’s political landscape is full of smaller but politically strong regional parties that enjoy support in specific regions.

For example, with its 24 elected members, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a party based in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is the third largest in the Lok Sabha.

Seats contested by select regional parties in 2024

Multiple maps of Lok Sabha seats in India show the seats contested by some of the large regional parties in the 2024 elections. Most of these parties have fielded candidates within the boundaries of a specific state.

Some parties also represent India’s social and religious diversity, instead of regional factors, such as the BSP that campaigns for historically backward communities and has 10 members in the Lok Sabha.

However, Verma said most parties are very region-, district- or individual-centric, and so do not survive more than two or three electoral cycles.

Small parties, large influence

The small regional parties do matter in the larger picture though. At times, they end up being kingmakers when large parties fall short of a majority.

Most Indian governments in the past three decades have been led by a coalition of parties, even when a single party managed to cross the halfway mark.

Seats won by parties in leading coalition

Chart shows the number of seats won by each constituent of the leading coalition of parties in every Lok Sabha election between 1991 and 2019.

Winner takes it all

India follows a first-past-the-post electoral system, in which voters cast a ballot for a single candidate and the one with the highest number wins. So, in practice, a candidate can win even with a minority of votes. Nearly half of the members ever elected to the Lok Sabha have won with a share of less than 50% of the vote in the constituencies they contested. Twenty-four won with less than a quarter.

Vote share of winning candidates

Dot plot shows the vote share of every winning candidate in every Lok Sabha election between 1962 and 2019, more than half of whom won with a vote share of less than 50% of votes polled.

An extreme example is the constituency of Shahjahanpur in the politically key northern state of Uttar Pradesh – during elections in 1967 the leading candidate among the 12 who contested got just 16.7% votes.

Tax exemption and other perks

Founding political parties serves purposes beyond electoral gains, such as legal exemption from income tax, which could be another reason for their proliferation, said Jagdeep Chhokar, co-founder of election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Moreover, parties are “practically and effectively able to convert black money into white,” he said. “People can buy cars and houses for themselves in the name of the party.”

There are other intangible benefits, such as expecting favourable treatment by government officers based on the perception that politicians are influential individuals, he said.

“Parties also put up shadow candidates for various reasons,” he said. “The modus operandi seems to be that you put up a candidate and the candidate who really is interested in winning gives you money to withdraw the candidature,” Chhokar added.

More than a thousand candidates have withdrawn their nominations for this year’s election, though the reasons are not known.

Big parties hold ground

Despite the increasing number of parties contesting Indian elections, the bunch of parties winning seats has not expanded. Even among those that do win, the two major national parties dominate: in the past 10 elections, their combined vote share has been 52% on average. Independent candidates also do not achieve as much success as they once did.

Chart shows the share of seats won by the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, independent candidates and all other parties put together in all Lok Sabha elections between 1962 and 2019.

Chhokar said the chances of winning an election as an independent or candidate from a small party are almost nil because of the financial resources the large parties can mobilise.

Indian elections are a costly affair. According to the parties’ declarations to the poll body, the BJP and the Congress spent about $255 million to contest the 2019 elections. More than $100 million was spent by 30 other major parties put together.

This is in huge contrast with the income declared by most of the smaller political parties in the preceding fiscal year. Of 228 parties whose income details were available, nine in ten declared an income of less than $1 million.

Annual income of political parties in 2018-19

Circles of varying size show the income of 228 political parties in the fiscal year 2018-19. The Bharatiya Janata Party leads the lot with a declared income of $348 million, followed by the Congress at $133 million.

Even with this diversity, national parties call the shots at the national as well as the regional level, Milan Vaishnav, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote in a paper.

Most can’t last long, but some persist

Of more than 1,500 parties that have contested the past 15 Lok Sabha elections, a majority contested only once. Only 34 parties contested more than half of these elections.

Verma believes the easy registration process is one of the main reasons for the proliferation of parties. “Once registered, the election commission does not have the power to deregister a party, so it remains on the books forever,” he said.

Generally, only the serious contenders win, but a few have kept contesting anyway. This year, there are 18 parties in the fray that have contested more than five elections previously but never won any.

Parties that repeatedly contest but never win

Chart shows the elections contested and not contested by a list of 18 political parties that have fielded candidates in this year’s election and had also fielded candidates in more than five elections previously but never won any seat.

Some of them have contested and won state-level elections. But eight have failed even there.

Of these, the Hindustan Janata Party has fielded candidates in six seats this time. Its president, Babangir Gosawi, said it could not make an impact for lack of resources. “I am a retired military person, so I don’t let go of things I take up, whether we get success or not,” he said.

Another one, the Pyramid Party of India, is contesting 26 seats this time. Its website says the party was formed to transform people into “meditators, enlightened persons, vegetarians and peace-loving people”.

Logistical challenge

In a report in 2010, an Indian government committee on electoral reforms said a large number of candidates made the elections “cumbersome, expensive and unmanageable” and “increases expenditure on account of security, maintenance of law and order, and requires extra number of balloting units of voting machines,” along with other issues.

Managing elections can get more difficult in some cases, such as the constituency of Karur in Tamil Nadu, where 54 candidates are contesting this time, the highest tally of any constituency.

Additional reporting by

Pasit Kongkunakornkul, Seoyun Kang and Krishn Kaushik

Election Commission of India; Trivedi Centre for Political Data, Ashoka University; Natural Earth; IndiaVotes.com; Association for Democratic Reforms; Parline database, Inter-Parliamentary Union; Federal Election Commission, United States; General Elections Commission, Indonesia; Superior Electoral Court, Brazil; The Federal Returning Officer, Germany; Election Commission of Thailand; The United Kingdom Parliament; Open Data Portal, Government of France; Interior Ministry, Government of France; Electoral Commission of South Africa; Interior Ministry, Government of Spain

Simon Scarr, Anand Katakam and Clarence Fernandez

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Here’s Why Republicans Are Focusing on Voting by Noncitizens

House Republicans are pushing legislation to crack down on voting by noncitizens, which is allowed in some local elections but illegal — and exceedingly rare — at the federal level.

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By Minho Kim

Reporting from Washington

House Republicans are pushing legislation to crack down on voting by noncitizens, part of an effort to sow doubts about the election outcome and take aim at immigrants who they say have no business participating in elections in the United States.

They are planning to push through a bill this week that would roll back a Washington, D.C., law allowing noncitizen residents of the nation’s capital to vote in local elections. And they are pushing legislation that would require states to obtain proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, in person when registering an individual to vote and require states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.

Neither is likely to pass the Democratic-led Senate or be signed by President Biden, but both are ways for Republicans to call attention to their false claims of widespread illegal voting by noncitizens.

Former President Donald J. Trump has long claimed in the face of evidence to the contrary that presidential and congressional elections are susceptible to widespread voter fraud and illegal voting by undocumented immigrants who have skewed the outcomes in favor of Democrats — a charge that House Republicans have echoed.

Here are the facts about noncitizen voting and the false claims that foreign nationals swing close elections in one party’s favor.

More than a dozen cities and towns across the country allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.

There has long been a policy debate in the United States about whether voting rights should be afforded at the municipal level to foreign nationals regardless of immigration status, as most of them pay comparable levels of taxes to U.S. citizens, contribute to their local economies and send their children to local schools.

Residents with foreign passports can cast ballots for candidates for mayor, school board, city council and commissioner in at least 14 municipalities whose state constitutions do not explicitly ban noncitizens from voting in local contests. Nearly all of the towns are in the deep-blue states of Maryland, Vermont and California.

Most local measures giving ballot access to noncitizens face court challenges. One such law in San Francisco that survived a legal challenge allows undocumented parents to vote for the members of their public school board. But in 2022, the New York State Supreme Court struck down a New York City law that gave partial voting rights to more than 800,000 noncitizens.

Noncitizens rarely cast ballots in local elections even when they are allowed to do so. In Washington, D.C., where roughly 15 percent of the 700,000 residents are foreign-born, only around 500 noncitizens had registered to vote as of Monday, according to data provided by the District of Columbia Board of Elections. The District has more than 400,000 registered voters.

It’s illegal — and extremely rare — for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.

Although noncitizens can vote in some local elections, they are barred by law from voting in federal elections for president or Congress, and research shows it almost never happens.

A study by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University looked at 23.5 million votes cast in the 2016 presidential election in more than 40 jurisdictions and found only 30 incidents of potential noncitizen voting — or 0.0001 percent of the votes cast.

An audit by the state of Georgia conducted in 2022 reached a similar conclusion after finding fewer than 1,700 cases of noncitizens attempting to register to vote in the previous 25 years . None of them were allowed to vote.

David Becker, the director for the Center for Election Innovation and Research, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, said states had been “very effective” in ensuring that only U.S. citizens remain on the voter rolls for federal elections. That’s largely because of the Real ID act , which has required states to verify residents’ immigration or citizenship status before issuing an official identification card.

“There’s never been more transparency around these elections, and that’s verifiable,” Mr. Becker said. “There are very, very few people for whom citizenship status cannot be confirmed.”

Noncitizens have major disincentives to vote in federal elections.

Registering to vote draws the highest level of scrutiny from state officials and law enforcement, something that undocumented immigrants or those whose legal status in the United States is unsettled are exceedingly unlikely to want.

Those who have studied the topic say that immigrants have every reason to avoid calling attention to themselves in that way. Voting illegally is a felony that could entail jail time, a fine and deportation.

If a noncitizen “was caught registering to vote, or voting — this is actually a question on the citizenship exam — they will be deported,” Mr. Becker said.

Republicans and election deniers have cited faulty figures to suggest illegal noncitizen voting is widespread.

A witness at a House hearing last week on election integrity cited a faulty report from 2020 suggesting that around 15 percent of noncitizens routinely vote in federal elections. The estimate, to which election-deniers often refer, is based on an earlier study whose survey data appeared to indicate that a significant chunk of foreign nationals voted in 2008.

But those numbers are a result of unscientific cherry-picking from a survey of just 20,000 people designed for a different purpose, said Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank. A close look at the survey results shows that most of the respondents who said they were foreign nationals and had voted in the past were in fact American citizens who had mistakenly chosen the wrong answer to the citizenship question.

“These numbers simply aren’t believable,” Mr. Olson said. “They aren’t consistent with what we know from the various other sources.”

Still, Representative Bryan Steil, Republican of Wisconsin and chairman of the Committee on House Administration, warned that the practice could spread. He pointed to a programming glitch in Pennsylvania that allowed noncitizens to register to vote and a review that found more than 100 noncitizens on Ohio voter rolls .

“American elections are for American citizens, and we intend to keep it that way,” Mr. Steil said.

Luke Broadwater contributed reporting.

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race: News and Analysis

Donald Trump’s conviction on nearly three dozen felony counts  plunges the country into unmapped political terrain , a rare moment that could reshuffle a 2024 race  that for months has been locked in stasis and defined by a polarizing former president.

President Biden’s absence in the hours after Trump was found guilty testified to the awkward position confronting  the current occupant of the White House when it comes to holding his predecessor accountable.

Moments after a jury found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts  in his hush-money trial, he worked his conviction into the story of persecution  at the center of his presidential campaign.

Fixing Social Security:  A small tax increase would make the essential national retirement program  secure for decades, our columnist says, but lawmakers would have to take action.

Flip-Flopping on Abortion:  Republican candidates in the country’s most competitive Senate races have changed their approach on the issue of abortion , softening their rhetoric, shifting their positions and even embracing policies championed by Democrats.

New Jersey Senate and House Races:  On June 4, Democrats and Republicans will choose nominees  for the U.S. Senate. In the House, Representative Rob Menendez faces a strong primary challenge.

Clashing Appeals to Black Voters:  Biden and Trump both see Black outreach as critical to winning in November. But their approaches differ in fundamental and revealing ways .

Festivals of India Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on festival of india.

Festivals are larger than life celebrations of various things. They occur at regular intervals and helping in breaking the monotony of life. Furthermore, they give you the chance to celebrate the little and big things in life. Festivals are the carriers of peace and joy in the communities. All nations of the world have certain religious and cultural festivals. However, India is one of the largest countries to celebrate numerous festivals. As India is a very cultural and diverse country , so are the festivals. They divide into three general categories of national, religious and seasonal.

Types of Indian Festivals

As we can divide the Indian festivals into national, religious and seasonal, we see how they differ from each other. In general, national festivals are celebrated in honor of reputable people and events. The religious ones follow legends of faiths and their beliefs. The seasonal ones are celebrated with each season that we experience that varies from region to region.

National Festivals

Moreover, they help in setting aside the differences of the countrymen and unite each other like never before. The capital of India, New Delhi is the seat of national festivals. For instance, it witnesses the grand parade of the Republic Day. The flag hoisting takes place in New Delhi, which is broadcasted on national television for the whole country to see.

Religious Festivals

The religious festivals are one of the most famous festivals not only throughout India but over the world. Some of the most prominent religious festivals are Diwali, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Holi and many more. Diwali and Holi are the most prominent festivals of the Hindu religion. They are very colorful and full of lights.

Next up, Eid-Ul-Fitr is an Islamic festival which celebrates the end of Ramadan. It is about delectable dishes and family gatherings. Christmas celebrates the birthday of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it is about Christmas trees and Santa Claus. Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Seasonal Festivals

Finally, the particular regions of the country celebrate seasonal festivals. For instance, Bihu is a festival of Assam. Likewise, Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal. In addition, there is Basant Panchami which people celebrate through North India and West Bengal as well.

Importance of Festivals

Festivals are very important. They make us forget our cultural and religious differences . They unite people and they come together for the sole purpose of celebration and happiness. Other than that, festivals also help us embrace our culture and religion. They are very helpful in breaking the monotony of life.

Moreover, people look forward to festivals all-round the year. Festivals spark joy and give people something to look forward to. In addition, people also repair their homes and paint them that look like brand new. It beautifies the look of the locality.

In short, festivals fill our lives with colors and enthusiasm. They bring us closer every year and eliminate any feelings of communal hatred. Further, they strengthen the bonds of the community and remove the malice from people’s hearts. Therefore, festivals are quite important and must be celebrated with passion.

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