Asia and Oceania

India
Last reviewed: 15 June 2011

Country information

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INDIA TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 3,287,623m sq km (1,269,219 sq miles)
Population: 1.21 billion (provisional Government of India Census data, 2011)
Capital City: New Delhi
Languages: The official language of India is Hindi, written in the Devanagari script and spoken by some 30% of the population as a first language. Since 1965 English has been recognised as an 'associated language'. In addition there are 18 main and regional languages recognised for adoption as official state languages.
Religions: India is a secular state and freedom of religion is protected under the Constitution. The main religious groups are Hindus (80.5%), Muslims (13.4%), Christians (2.3%) and Sikhs (1.9%).
Currency: Rupee
Government: United Progressive Alliance, a Congress-led coalition.
Head of State: President Pratibha Patil
Prime Minister: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Foreign Minister: S.M. Krishna
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Commonwealth, United Nations, United Nations Human Rights Council, World Trade Organisation; G20, South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), ASEAN (dialogue partner); G4, IBSA.