The state occupies a strategic position on the Deccan Plateau and is bordered by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh to the north, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south and east. Telangana is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Godavari and Krishna river basins, forested areas, plateaus, reservoirs, and historic hill ranges.
Telangana has a rich historical heritage shaped by successive dynasties and kingdoms, including the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Vishnukundins, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kakatiyas, Qutb Shahis, and Asaf Jahis. The region is particularly renowned for the architectural legacy of the Kakatiyas, including Warangal Fort, the Thousand Pillar Temple, and the Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The formation of Telangana marked the culmination of a long political and popular movement rooted in the region's distinct history, cultural traditions, and regional identity within the Deccan. Telangana's cultural heritage is reflected in traditions such as Bathukamma, Bonalu, Perini Sivatandavam, and Oggu Katha, as well as its distinctive Telugu and Deccani Urdu literary and culinary traditions.
Today, Telangana is one of India's important centres for information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace, agriculture, and services. Hyderabad, in particular, has developed into a major global technology and business hub, while cities such as Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Ramagundam contribute to the state's regional economy and development.
Telangana came into existence on 2 June 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Act No. 6 of 2014). The state was formed by carving out ten districts from the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh, comprising the Telugu-speaking regions of the erstwhile Hyderabad State.
Hyderabad was designated as the common capital of both Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh for a period of ten years, as per the Reorganisation Act. The formation of Telangana marked the culmination of a decades-long struggle that saw the sacrifice of over 360 lives during the movement.
Telangana is bordered by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh to the north, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south and east. Major cities include Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Khammam, and Karimnagar.
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 and by the Rajya Sabha on 20 February 2014. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 received Presidential assent on 1 March 2014 and came into force on 2 June 2014, when Telangana was formally established as a separate state.
The movement for a separate Telangana state had its roots in the dissatisfaction with the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956, which was signed before the merger of Telangana with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.
- 1968–69: Major Telangana Movement – A major statehood movement emerged in Telangana, involving students, government employees, political leaders and other sections of society. Hundreds of people lost their lives during the agitation. The Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park in Hyderabad commemorates those who sacrificed their lives during the Telangana statehood movements.
- 2001: TRS Founded – K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on 27 April 2001 to pursue the creation of a separate Telangana state.
- 2009: Deeksha – KCR began an indefinite hunger strike on 29 November 2009, demanding separate statehood for Telangana. The fast became a major turning point in the movement. On 9 December 2009, the Union Government announced that the process for forming a separate Telangana state would be initiated.
- 2010: Sri Krishna Committee – The Union Government constituted the Committee for Consultations on the Situation in Andhra Pradesh, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice B. N. Srikrishna, to examine the situation and consult political parties and other stakeholders.
- 2013–14: Final Phase – The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to create Telangana on 3 October 2013. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 and the Rajya Sabha on 20 February 2014. The Act received Presidential assent on 1 March 2014 and came into force on 2 June 2014.
The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956 provided safeguards for the Telangana region following the formation of Andhra Pradesh. These included provisions relating to regional administration, expenditure and development, education, political representation, and the continuation of domicile protections under the existing Mulki Rules. Disputes over the implementation of regional safeguards contributed to subsequent political tensions and the Telangana movement.
Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), the founder of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, became the first Chief Minister of Telangana, taking oath on 2 June 2014. His party secured a majority in the first state assembly elections, fulfilling his life's mission of creating a separate state for the people of Telangana.
- Term: 2 June 2014 – 6 December 2023
- Party: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in 2022
- Major Initiatives: The governments led by KCR introduced or expanded programmes including Rythu Bandhu, Mission Bhagiratha, and major irrigation projects including the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
- Economic Growth: Telangana's nominal GSDP at current prices increased from ₹5.06 lakh crore in 2014–15 to ₹14.64 lakh crore in 2023–24, the last full financial year of the KCR-led government.
During the KCR-led governments, Telangana implemented programmes and projects covering agriculture, irrigation, drinking water, infrastructure, information technology and social welfare.
KCR began an indefinite hunger strike on 29 November 2009 demanding separate statehood for Telangana. The fast lasted 11 days and became an important turning point in the statehood movement. The day is commemorated as Deeksha Diwas by the BRS and its supporters.
Anumula Revanth Reddy became the second Chief Minister of Telangana on 7 December 2023, marking the first change of regime in the young state. He leads the Indian National Congress government, which defeated the BRS in the 2023 assembly elections.
- Term: 7 December 2023 – Present
- Party: Indian National Congress
- Major Initiatives: The government has implemented programmes and election commitments including Mahalakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and a farm-loan waiver, alongside initiatives in education, infrastructure and other sectors.
- Political Change: The 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election brought the Indian National Congress to power after two consecutive BRS governments.
Anumula Revanth Reddy became Chief Minister of Telangana on 7 December 2023, becoming the state's first Chief Minister from the Indian National Congress.
Revanth Reddy became the Chief Minister of Telangana on 7 December 2023 following the 2023 Assembly election, in which the Indian National Congress formed the state government.
Telangana is administratively divided into 33 districts, having been expanded from the original 10 districts at the time of formation.
- Original 10 Districts (2014): Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy, and Warangal.
- District Reorganisation (2016): Telangana reorganised its administrative structure and created 23 new districts, increasing the number of districts from 10 to 31.
- Two More Districts (2019): Mulugu and Narayanpet were created on 17 February 2019, bringing the total to 33 districts.
The 33 Districts of Telangana:
- Adilabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hanumakonda, Hyderabad, Jagtial, Jangaon, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Jogulamba Gadwal, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mahabubabad, Mahabubnagar, Mancherial, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Mulugu, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Narayanpet, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Peddapalli, Rajanna Sircilla, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Wanaparthy, Warangal, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.
Telangana currently has 33 districts, 74 revenue divisions, and 612 revenue mandals.
Telangana has experienced remarkable economic growth since its formation, transforming from an agricultural state to a services sector powerhouse.
- GSDP Growth: Telangana's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices increased from ₹5.06 lakh crore in 2014–15 to an estimated ₹16.13 lakh crore in 2024–25.
- Per Capita Income: Per capita income increased from ₹1,24,104 in 2014–15 to an estimated ₹3,79,751 in 2024–25.
- IT & Technology: Telangana's IT sector has recorded IT exports of more than ₹3.6 lakh crore, equivalent to approximately $40 billion. Hyderabad hosts around 400 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) employing more than 3 lakh professionals.
- Agriculture: Telangana's foodgrain production was about 72.2 lakh tonnes in 2014–15. Production has increased substantially over the following decade, alongside expansion in cultivated and irrigated areas.
- Irrigation: Irrigation has expanded substantially since state formation, supported by major projects and programmes including the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, Mission Kakatiya, and other irrigation projects.
The services sector is the largest component of Telangana's economy, with Hyderabad serving as a major centre for information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, financial services and other knowledge-based industries.
Telangana's economic development has also been accompanied by continuing challenges, including regional disparities, agricultural dependence on rainfall and irrigation, urban infrastructure pressures, and the changing impact of automation and artificial intelligence on technology and services employment.
Hyderabad hosts around 400 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) employing more than 3 lakh professionals. Telangana's IT exports have crossed ₹3.6 lakh crore, or approximately $40 billion.
Telangana's culture is a rich tapestry woven from its ancient history, Deccani traditions, and the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (composite culture) of Hyderabad. The state's identity is rooted in its unique linguistic, culinary, and artistic traditions.
- Languages: Telugu and Urdu are the official languages of Telangana. Urdu has a particularly strong historical and cultural presence in Hyderabad, while the Deccani variety of Urdu forms an important part of the region's cultural heritage.
- Literature: Telangana has a rich literary heritage spanning many centuries, encompassing Telugu, Urdu, Sanskrit and other literary traditions. The region has produced important poets, writers and scholars from the medieval period to the modern era.
- Cuisine: Telangana and Hyderabad are renowned for distinctive culinary traditions, including Hyderabadi Biryani, Haleem, kebabs, Double Ka Meetha, Sarva Pindi, Sakinalu, and other regional dishes.
- Festivals: Telangana celebrates a diverse range of festivals, including Bathukamma, Bonalu, Sankranti, Dasara, and major Hindu and Muslim festivals. Bathukamma is a distinctive floral festival strongly associated with Telangana's cultural identity.
- Art & Architecture: The state is home to major historical landmarks including the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Warangal Fort, Thousand Pillar Temple, and Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hyderabad's Salar Jung Museum houses one of the world's notable collections assembled by a single family.
- Dance & Folk Traditions: Perini Sivatandavam, associated with the Kakatiya period, is an important dance tradition of Telangana. Other traditions include Oggu Katha, Chindu Yakshaganam, and numerous regional folk performance and musical traditions.
Hyderabad occupies a central place in Telangana's history and cultural landscape. The city's heritage reflects the interaction of Telugu, Urdu, Persian, Islamic, Hindu and other Deccan traditions, creating a distinctive composite cultural environment.
Bathukamma is Telangana's distinctive floral festival, celebrated primarily by women with colourful arrangements of seasonal flowers. It is an important symbol of Telangana's cultural heritage and is celebrated across the state.
Telangana has made significant progress in social indicators since its formation, with improvements in healthcare and education.
- Maternal Health: Telangana's latest reported Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is 43 per 100,000 live births, below the national figure reported for the same reference period.
- Infant Health: The state's latest reported Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 18 per 1,000 live births.
- Healthcare Investment: The Telangana government allocated ₹12,393 crore to the Health, Medical and Family Welfare sector in the 2025–26 Budget.
- Education: Education remains one of the state's major public-service sectors, with government investment covering school education, higher education, residential institutions, universities, skill development and other educational programmes.
Telangana has expanded healthcare and educational infrastructure since state formation, while continuing to face challenges related to equitable access, quality of services, rural healthcare and educational outcomes.
- 1 November 1956: Telangana region merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.
- 1968–69: Major Telangana movement begins; hundreds lose their lives.
- 27 April 2001: K. Chandrashekar Rao founds the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
- 29 November 2009: KCR begins indefinite fast (Deeksha Diwas).
- 9 December 2009: UPA government announces initiation of process for Telangana formation.
- 3 October 2013: Union Cabinet approves creation of Telangana.
- 18 February 2014: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill passed in Lok Sabha.
- 20 February 2014: Bill passed in Rajya Sabha.
- 1 March 2014: President gives assent; Act published in Gazette.
- 2 June 2014: Telangana officially comes into existence as India's 29th state.
- October 2016: District reorganisation – 23 new districts created, total reaches 31.
- 17 February 2019: Mulugu and Narayanpet districts created, total reaches 33.
- 2022: TRS renamed to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
- 7 December 2023: A. Revanth Reddy becomes second Chief Minister.
- Government of Telangana – Official website and statistical reports
- Telangana State Budget 2025–26 – Healthcare allocation figures
- Telangana Socioeconomic Survey 2014–15 – Foodgrain production and economic indicators
- Telangana IT & Industries Department – IT exports and GCC figures
- Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 – Formation of Telangana State
- Telangana State Portal – District and administrative information
- Telangana Today – BRS-era reforms and economic growth
Telangana, India's 29th state, was born on 2 June 2014 after a struggle that spanned over five decades. From the sacrifices of the movement to the economic transformation of the present day, the state has carved out a unique identity rooted in its rich history, vibrant culture, and boundless aspirations. Hyderabad, the heart of Telangana, continues to symbolise the spirit of the Deccan – a bridge between tradition and modernity, and a testament to the resilience and determination of its people.