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Kids Corner · updated 10 November 2026
Fun facts about India for kids
Our country is full of surprises. Here are fun facts about India’s national symbols, its big days, its land and its gifts to the world. Then try the quiz!
CapitalNew Delhi
States and UTs28 states, 8 union territories
MottoSatyameva Jayate
National flowerLotus
National treeBanyan
National fruitMango
India’s national symbols
Our national flag, the Tiranga, is saffron, white and green, with a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra of 24 spokes in the middle.
The national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, was written by Rabindranath Tagore. It takes about 52 seconds to sing.
The national song, Vande Mataram, was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The national emblem comes from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. Its motto, Satyameva Jayate, means “Truth alone triumphs”.
India’s national flower is the lotus, the national tree is the banyan, the national fruit is the mango and the national river is the Ganga.
Big days
India became free on 15 August 1947: Independence Day.
Our Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950: Republic Day. It is the longest written constitution of any country.
Dr B. R. Ambedkar led the committee that wrote the Constitution.
Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, 2 October, is Gandhi Jayanti.
Land and people
India has more people than any other country in the world.
India has 28 states and 8 union territories.
Our Constitution lists 22 languages, and hundreds more are spoken across the country.
Kangchenjunga, on India’s border with Nepal, is the third-highest mountain in the world.
Mawsynram and Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya are among the rainiest places on Earth.
Most of the Thar Desert is in Rajasthan.
Jaipur is the Pink City. It was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876.
India’s gifts to the world
Indian mathematicians gave the world zero as a number. Brahmagupta wrote rules for using it in 628 CE.
The numbers we write, 1 2 3 and so on, began in India and travelled to Europe through Arab traders.
Chess began in India as chaturanga, and Ludo comes from India’s Pachisi.
Yoga comes from India. The world celebrates International Day of Yoga on 21 June.
Quick quiz: India
Tap an answer. No sign-up, nothing is saved: it is just for fun.
How many spokes does the Ashoka Chakra have?
The navy-blue Ashoka Chakra on our flag has 24 spokes.
Who wrote Jana Gana Mana?
Rabindranath Tagore. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote our national song, Vande Mataram.
On which date did our Constitution come into force?
26 January 1950, which is why we celebrate Republic Day on 26 January.
Which city is called the Pink City?
Jaipur. Jodhpur is the Blue City and Udaipur is the City of Lakes.
Which game began in India as chaturanga?
Chess. Its pieces stood for the four parts of an old Indian army.
India questions
What is India’s national motto?
Satyameva Jayate, which means “Truth alone triumphs”.
How many states are there in India?
India has 28 states and 8 union territories.
Why do we celebrate Republic Day?
On 26 January 1950, India’s Constitution came into force and India became a republic.
Who wrote India’s national anthem?
Rabindranath Tagore wrote Jana Gana Mana.
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