Delhi facts: capital, state animal, bird, flower and state day
Delhi at a glance
- Capital
- New Delhi
- State day
- 1 November (Delhi Day)
- State animal
- Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)
- State bird
- House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- State flower
- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
- State tree
- Flamboyant (Delonix regia)
Sources: Capitals: Government of India. State symbols and state days: Wikipedia (lists of Indian state animals, birds, flowers and trees, and List of Indian state days), retrieved October 2026.
Key facts about Delhi, the National Capital Territory: its capital, languages, government and courts, and the main figures from the Census of India 2011, the most recent census.
Key facts
| Capital | New Delhi (also the capital of India) |
|---|---|
| Status | Union territory since 1 November 1956; the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with its own elected Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister, under the 69th Amendment to the Constitution (1991) |
| Official languages | Hindi; Punjabi and Urdu are second official languages |
| Area | 1,483 sq km |
| Districts (2026) | 13 |
| Legislative Assembly seats | 70 |
| Lok Sabha seats | 7 |
| Rajya Sabha seats | 3 |
| High Court | High Court of Delhi |
Census 2011
| Population | 16,787,941 (1.68 crore) |
|---|---|
| Density | 11,320 people per sq km, the highest of any state or union territory |
| Living in towns and cities | 97.5 per cent |
| Sex ratio | 868 women per 1,000 men |
| Literacy rate (age 7 and over) | 86.21 per cent (men 90.94, women 80.76) |
Specialties of Delhi
Khari Baoli spice and dry fruit market
Khari Baoli, by the Fatehpuri Masjid at the western end of Chandni Chowk, is Asia's largest wholesale market for spices, dry fruits, nuts and herbs, trading since the 17th century. Traders here supply shops and food makers across north India and export.
Embroidery and sequin work
Delhi's embroiderers hand-stitch zari, zardozi and sequin work on saris, lehengas and garments for India's fashion and wedding trade and for export, in workshops across the city.
Sources
Population figures: Census of India 2011, Final Population Totals. Area: Census of India 2011. Districts: the Government of India's web directory of district websites (igod.gov.in, checked October 2026). Seats and courts: Election Commission of India and the Government of NCT of Delhi. Specialties: Khari Baoli spice and dry fruit market (One District One Product: Central Delhi (dry fruits and spices)); Embroidery and sequin work (One District One Product: South-East Delhi).
Reference links
- Government of NCT of Delhi: official portal at delhi.gov.in
- National Portal of India: Government of India
- Election Commission of India: constituencies and elections
- Local Government Directory: official list of districts, blocks and villages
- Geographical Indications registered in India, state by state: Geographical Indications Registry, as on 31 December 2025 (PDF)
- One District One Product: each district's chosen products