State and Union Territory Symbols of India

The State and Union Territory (UT) symbols of India reflect the ecological diversity, cultural heritage, and geographical identity of each region. For the UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims and Mains GS Paper I & III), these symbols are vital markers of endemic biodiversity, conservation status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972, and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

State Symbols of India

Andhra Pradesh

• State Animal: Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra). Locally known as Krishna Jinka, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the WPA, 1972.
• State Bird: Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri). It is recognized for its vibrant green plumage and pink collar.
• State Flower: Jasmine (Jasminum officinale). Symbolizes purity and is deeply integrated into local cultural traditions.
• State Tree: Neem (Azadirachta indica). Prized for its extensive medicinal, antimicrobial, and eco-friendly pesticidal properties.

Arunachal Pradesh

• State Animal: Mithun (Bos frontalis). Also known as the ‘Gayal’, this semi-domesticated bovine holds immense socio-economic and cultural significance among indigenous tribes.
• State Bird: Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, it is the focal cultural motif for the region’s conservation festivals.
• State Flower: Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa). An epiphytic orchid characterized by densely packed pinkish-white flower spikes.
• State Tree: Hollong (Dipterocarpus retusus). A tall, evergreen canopy tree vital to the structural composition of the local rainforests.

Assam

• State Animal: One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). India houses the largest population globally, primarily centered in Kaziranga National Park. It is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• State Bird: White-winged Wood Duck (Asarcornis scutulata). One of the most endangered waterfowl species, listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• State Flower: Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa). Locally called Kopou Phool, it is an essential decorative element in Bihu festival celebrations.
• State Tree: Hollong (Dipterocarpus retusus). Extensively found in the tropical evergreen forests of upper Assam.

Bihar

• State Animal: Gaur / Indian Bison (Bos gaurus). The largest extant bovine species in the world, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• State Bird: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Designated to raise awareness about urban biodiversity loss and sparrow conservation.
• State Flower: Kachnar / Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata). A medicinal plant featuring prominent, fragrant pinkish-purple blossoms.
• State Tree: Sacred Fig / Peepal (Ficus religiosa). Holds immense historical value as the tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

Chhattisgarh

• State Animal: Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee). Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, its last remaining pure genetic strains are found in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve.
• State Bird: Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa). Known for its distinct ability to mimic human speech; primarily found in the dense forests of Bastar.
• State Flower: French Marigold (Tagetes patula). Cultivated widely for its vibrant colors and commercial utility.
• State Tree: Sal (Shorea robusta). A timber tree dominating the dry and moist deciduous forests of Central India.

Goa

• State Animal: Gaur (Bos gaurus). Inhabits the Western Ghats sections of Goa, including Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.
• State Bird: Flame-throated Bulbul (Rubigula gularis). Endemic to the Western Ghats, noted for its bright orange-yellow throat.
• State Flower: Jasmine (Jasminum officinale). Reflects the coastal state’s affinity for traditional floral decorations.
• State Tree: Matti / Crocodile Bark Tree (Terminalia elliptica). Remarkable for storing water in its trunk, utilized by forest dwellers during summers.

Gujarat

• State Animal: Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica). Endemic entirely to the Gir National Park and surrounding Landscape in Gujarat. Classified as Endangered.
• State Bird: Greater Flamingo (Phoeniconaias roseus). Known for congregating in massive breeding colonies within the Rann of Kutch (Flamingo City).
• State Flower: Marigold / Galgotro (Tagetes erecta). Extensively used in socio-religious rituals across the state.
• State Tree: Banyan (Ficus benghalensis). Represents longevity and expansive growth.

Haryana

• State Animal: Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra). Found primarily in the scrub forests and protected pockets like Sultanpur National Park.
• State Bird: Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus). Locally known as Kala Teetar, it thrives in cultivated fields and scrubby habitats.
• State Flower: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Aligns with the national floral identity, symbolizing spiritual purity.
• State Tree: Peepal (Ficus religiosa). Revered across rural settlements for its ecological value.

Himachal Pradesh

• State Animal: Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). An apex predator of the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• State Bird: Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus). Locally called Jujurana (King of Birds), it is a highly endangered pheasant endemic to the Western Himalayas.
• State Flower: Pink Rhododendron (Rhododendron campanulatum). Characterizes the alpine and sub-alpine flora of the state.
• State Tree: Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara). A coniferous tree that dominates the sub-temperate montane forests.

Jharkhand

• State Animal: Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus). Categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and designated as a National Heritage Animal.
• State Bird: Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). A brood parasite bird celebrated in regional poetry and folklore.
• State Flower: Palash (Butea monosperma). Known as the “Flame of the Forest” due to its bright orange-red canopy during spring.
• State Tree: Sal (Shorea robusta). Central to the livelihoods and religious customs of the state’s tribal population.

Karnataka

• State Animal: Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus). Karnataka hosts the highest population of wild elephants in India, notably within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• State Bird: Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis). Famous for its brilliant blue wings displayed during flight maneuvers.
• State Flower: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). Symbolizes beauty, prosperity, and spiritual detachment.
• State Tree: Sandalwood (Santalum album). Highly valued for its aromatic oil and fine wood, leading to the state being termed Gandhada Gudi (Land of Sandalwood).

Kerala

• State Animal: Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus). Integrally linked to Kerala’s cultural pageantry and temple festivals.
• State Bird: Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). Known locally as Mala Muzhanni Kakka, inhabiting the wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
• State Flower: Golden Shower Tree / Kanikkonna (Cassia fistula). Its bright yellow blossoms are central to the celebration of the Malayalam New Year, Vishu.
• State Tree: Coconut Tree (Cocos nucifera). The name Kerala itself is etymologically linked to Kera (Coconut tree), reflecting its ubiquity and economic value.

Madhya Pradesh

• State Animal: Barasingha / Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii). The hard-ground subspecies (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) was successfully brought back from near-extinction in Kanha National Park.
• State Bird: Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi). Locally called Dhudhraj, males feature long, streaming white tail ribbons.
• State Flower: White Lily (Lilium candidum). Symbolizes structural elegance and botanical beauty.
• State Tree: Banyan (Ficus benghalensis). Characterized by massive prop roots, symbolizing stability and shelter.

Maharashtra

• State Animal: Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica). Locally called Shekru, it is a large arboreal mammal endemic to the deciduous and evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
• State Bird: Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus). Locally termed Hariyal, it is a social bird that feeds predominantly on wild figs.
• State Flower: Jarul / Pride of India (Lagerstroemia speciosa). Features large, purple-pink crepe-like flowers that bloom during summer.
• State Tree: Mango Tree (Mangifera indica). Reflects the state’s global reputation for producing premium mango cultivars like the Alphonso.

Manipur

• State Animal: Sangai (Rucervus eldii eldii). An endangered brow-antlered deer endemic entirely to the floating biomass (phumdis) of Keibul Lamjao National Park on Loktak Lake.
• State Bird: Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae). A rare, forest-dwelling bar-tailed pheasant classified as Near Threatened.
• State Flower: Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae). A rare, shade-loving species endemic strictly to the upper reaches of the Shirui Kashong Peak in Ukhrul district.
• State Tree: Uningthou (Phoebe hainesiana). A valuable timber species belonging to the laurel family.

Meghalaya

• State Animal: Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). A secretive, arboreal wild cat native to the Himalayan foothills and Northeast India, classified as Vulnerable.
• State Bird: Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa). Inhabits the dense tropical and subtropical forests of the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills.
• State Flower: Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum insigne). A rare and endangered terrestrial orchid noted for its unique slipper-like pouch.
• State Tree: Gamhar / White Teak (Gmelina arborea). A fast-growing deciduous tree used heavily in agroforestry.

Mizoram

• State Animal: Himalayan Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis). A goat-antelope species found in rugged terrain, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• State Bird: Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae). Inhabits the open subtropical pine forests interspersed with dense oak patches.
• State Flower: Red Vanda (Renanthera imschootiana). An extremely rare, endangered orchid species protected globally under CITES Appendix I.
• State Tree: Ironwood / Mesua (Mesua ferrea). Noted for its heavy, durable timber and fragrant white flowers.

Nagaland

• State Animal: Mithun (Bos frontalis). Serves as the ultimate symbol of wealth and social status among Nagas, featuring prominently on the state official seal.
• State Bird: Blyth’s Tragopan (Tragopan blythii). A rare, brightly colored pheasant vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.
• State Flower: Tree Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum). Holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest rhododendron tree, located at Mt. Japfü.
• State Tree: Alder (Alnus nepalensis). A nitrogen-fixing tree extensively used in traditional jhum (shifting) cultivation management.

Odisha

• State Animal: Sambar (Rusa unicolor). The largest deer species in India, acting as a crucial prey base in reserves like Similipal and Satkosia.
• State Bird: Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis). Revered during the Dussehra festival as an auspicious sighting.
• State Flower: Ashoka (Saraca asoca). Deeply rooted in Buddhist and Hindu iconography, associated with relief from sorrow.
• State Tree: Sacred Fig / Peepal (Ficus religiosa). Celebrated for its environmental and cultural integration in rural life.

Punjab

• State Animal: Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra). Found predominantly in the Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, managed largely by the eco-conscious Bishnoi community.
• State Bird: Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Locally known as Baaz, it holds historic spiritual resonance linked to Guru Gobind Singh.
• State Aquatic Animal: Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor). A critically endangered freshwater dolphin found in a small stretch of the Beas River.
• State Tree: Shisham / Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo). An economically vital hardwood tree native to the sub-Himalayan tracts.

Rajasthan

• State Animal (Wild): Chinkara / Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii). A small gazelle adapted to arid plains, protected closely by local communities.
• State Animal (Domestic): Camel (Camelus dromedarius). Declared in 2014 to curb declining numbers and protect the desert economy.
• State Bird: Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps). Locally called Godawan, it is a Critically Endangered bird on the brink of extinction, found mainly in Desert National Park.
• State Flower: Rohida (Tecomella undulata). Known as the “Marwar Teak”, it produces striking saffron-yellow blossoms in arid zones.
• State Tree: Khejri (Prosopis cineraria). The lifeline of the Thar Desert ecosystem, central to the historic Khejarli massacre (1730) for tree conservation.

Sikkim

• State Animal: Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens). An arboreal mammal inhabiting bamboo-rich temperate forests, classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• State Bird: Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus). Noted for its unique crimson-streaked plumage, residing in high-altitude alpine zones.
• State Flower: Noble Dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile). An orchid species celebrated for its aesthetic brilliance.
• State Tree: Rhododendron (Rhododendron niveum). Thrives in the sub-alpine regions of the Himalayas.

Tamil Nadu

• State Animal: Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius). An endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the shola-grassland matrices of the Western Ghats.
• State Bird: Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica). Known for its iridescent green wings and swift flight.
• State Flower: Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba). A climbing plant with brilliant red and yellow wavy petals, possessing medicinal alkaloids.
• State Tree: Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer). Possesses immense economic utility, with every part of the tree traditionally utilized in rural livelihoods.
• State Butterfly: Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais). An orange-colored butterfly endemic to the Western Ghats.

Telangana

• State Animal: Spotted Deer / Chital (Axis axis). Chosen for its gentle nature and presence across the state’s scrub forests.
• State Bird: Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis). Locally called Palapitta, associated with victory rituals during Vijayadashami.
• State Flower: Tangedu / Tanner’s Cassia (Senna auriculata). Yellow flowers that form the centerpiece of the traditional Bathukamma floral festival.
• State Tree: Jammi Chettu / Shami (Prosopis cineraria). Historically linked to epic narratives and worshiped during autumn festivals.

Tripura

• State Animal: Phayre’s Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei). A rare primate species characterized by distinct white rings around its eyes, classified as Endangered.
• State Bird: Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea). A large arboreal pigeon inhabiting the moist deciduous and evergreen forests.
• State Flower: Nageswar / Indian Rose Chestnut (Mesua ferrea). Known for its elegant appearance and therapeutic value.
• State Tree: Agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis). Highly prized globally for resinous heartwood used in making perfumes and incense.

Uttar Pradesh

• State Animal: Swamp Deer / Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii). Found in the marshy terai grasslands of Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• State Bird: Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone). The world’s tallest flying bird, recognized for its lifelong monogamous pairing.
• State Flower: Palash (Butea monosperma). Symbolizes the arrival of spring in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
• State Tree: Ashoka Tree (Saraca asoca). Frequently planted around religious sites and gardens for its evergreen canopy.

Uttarakhand

• State Animal: Alpine Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster). Inhabits high-altitude alpine environments, heavily targeted by poachers for its valuable musk pod.
• State Bird: Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus). A multicolored, iridescent pheasant native to the high-altitude Himalayan ranges.
• State Flower: Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata). A sacred medicinal plant that grows at altitudes above 3,500 meters, blooming at night.
• State Tree: Burans / Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum). Produces dense crimson flowers used locally to brew medicinal juices.

West Bengal

• State Animal: Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). A medium-sized wild cat adapted to wetlands and mangrove forests, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• State Bird: White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). A widespread kingfisher species noted for its striking blue back and bright red bill.
• State Flower: Night-flowering Jasmine (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis). Locally called Shiuli, it blooms at night and drops its flowers at dawn.
• State Tree: Chatim / Devil’s Tree (Alstonia scholaris). Characterized by its whorled leaves and historically used to manufacture writing slates for schools.

Union Territory Symbols of India

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• UT Animal: Dugong / Sea Cow (Dugong dugon). A herbivorous marine mammal entirely dependent on seagrass beds, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• UT Bird: Andaman Wood Pigeon (Columba palumboides). An endemic pigeon species restricted to the dense evergreen forests of the archipelago.
• UT Tree: Andaman Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides). A premium hardwood tree endemic to the islands, valued for its distinctive grain patterns.

Chandigarh

• UT Animal: Indian Gray Mongoose (Urva edwardsii). A highly adaptable predator key in maintaining the ecological balance of rodents and snakes.
• UT Bird: Indian Gray Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris). An arboreal bird critical for seed dispersal across the urban green spaces of the city.
• UT Flower: Palash (Butea monosperma). Reflects the region’s connection to the natural seasonal cycles of North India.
• UT Tree: Mango Tree (Mangifera indica). Widely integrated into the structured urban landscaping plan of Chandigarh.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

• UT Status: This combined administrative territory utilizes national symbols alongside localized ecological indicators across its scattered coastal and inland enclaves. No separate state animal or bird has been officially gazetted post-merger.

Delhi (NCT)

• UT Animal: Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). The largest Asian antelope, commonly found in the scrub forests of the Delhi Ridge ecosystem.
• UT Bird: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). Adopted under conservation campaigns to restore urban nesting habitats within the capital.
• UT Flower: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Represents agricultural utility and nitrogen-fixing capability.
• UT Tree: Flamboyant / Gulmohar (Delonix regia). Known for its intense orange-red summer blooms across urban canopies.

Jammu and Kashmir

• UT Animal: Hangul / Kashmir Stag (Cervus luctuus hanglu). A critically endangered subspecies of Central Asian Red Deer, restricted almost entirely to Dachigam National Park.
• UT Bird: Kalij Pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus). Designated as the UT bird post-bifurcation, replacing the Black-necked Crane.
• UT Tree: Chinar (Platanus orientalis). A massive deciduous tree deeply woven into the cultural landscape, architecture, and history of the Kashmir Valley.

Ladakh

• UT Animal: Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). Symbolizes the cold desert ecosystem of Hemis National Park, which has the highest density of the species globally.
• UT Bird: Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis). A sacred high-altitude bird that breeds in the wetlands of Changthang (Tso Kar, Tso Moriri). Classified as Near Threatened.

Lakshadweep

• UT Animal: Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga). A colorful coral reef-associated fish species native to the Lakshadweep archipelago waters.
• UT Bird: Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus). A pelagic seabird that nests primarily on Pitti Island, a designated bird sanctuary.
• UT Tree: Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis). A staple food crop tree across the coral islands.

Puducherry

• UT Animal: Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum). A common three-striped rodent species.
• UT Bird: Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). Celebrated for its vocalizations in coastal groves.
• UT Flower: Cannonball Flower (Couroupita guianensis). Features complex, aromatic flowers shaped like a protective hood over an inner structure.
• UT Tree: Bael / Bengal Quince (Aegle marmelos). A sacred tree known for its significant gastrointestinal medicinal properties.

Comprehensive Matrix of Key Endemic State Symbols

The table below correlates the distinct endemic species of India with their primary regional designation and conservation status:

Strategic Facts for UPSC Prelims

Legal and Ecological Intersections

• The Schedule Shift: Following the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, species like the Blackbuck, Great Indian Bustard, and Lion are placed under Schedule I, receiving the highest level of statutory protection and penal provisions.
• Keystone Species Concept: Most state animals are “keystone” or “umbrella” species for their ecosystems. For instance, conserving the Nilgiri Tahr protects the entire high-altitude shola-grassland hydrological network of the Western Ghats.
• Botanical Intersections: The choice of trees like the Sandalwood (Karnataka) or Agarwood (Tripura) underscores the historically driven economic botany and trade monopolies enjoyed by these regions before modern conservation laws.