Least Populated States in India - Top 10

The top 10 list of least populated states in India is dominated by Union Territories and northeastern states. The least populated is Lakshadweep, a union territory known for its tranquil tropical islands, which is home to merely 64.47 thousand residents, despite having the highest population density of 2149 persons per sqkm among these states.

Following Lakshadweep are the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, with populations of 2.43 and 3.44 lakh respectively. Daman & Diu, despite its small size, has a significant population density of 2191 persons per sqkm.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, comes next with a population of 3.81 lakh and a notably low population density of 46 persons per sqkm. This is indicative of its expansive geography coupled with its smaller population size.

Sikkim, a northeastern state renowned for its biodiversity, has a population of 6.11 lakh, with a modest population density of 86 persons per sqkm. Chandigarh, the well-planned city serving as the capital for both Punjab and Haryana, is next with a population of 10.55 lakh and a high density of 9258 persons per sqkm due to its urban nature.

The northeastern state of Mizoram, Union Territory of Puducherry, and the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Goa complete the list, with populations ranging from 10.97 to 14.59 lakh. Their population densities reflect their diverse geographic characteristics, with Arunachal Pradesh having the lowest density of just 17 persons per sqkm among these, given its mountainous and heavily forested terrain.