New Delhi - The Capital of India

Population
32,226,000
Language
Hindi
Continent
Asia
Since
1911
Eco Ranking
176/195

Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.

About New Delhi

New Delhi was conceived as a new imperial capital by the British colonial administration, which decided in 1911 to move the seat of government from Calcutta (Kolkata) to Delhi. British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed the planned city, which was formally inaugurated in 1931. The move was intended to signal British permanence in India, in practice, India achieved independence just 16 years later, in 1947. New Delhi is technically a district within the larger Delhi metropolitan area, specifically the planned government zone, rather than the entire city. The National Capital Territory of Delhi, encompassing New Delhi and surrounding areas, is the world's most populous capital city region, with over 32 million people. New Delhi houses the three branches of the Indian federal government: the President's Estate (Rashtrapati Bhavan), Parliament House, and the Supreme Court, all arranged along the ceremonial axis of Rajpath (now Kartavya Path). India's partition in 1947 brought massive population displacement through Delhi, with Muslim residents leaving for Pakistan and Hindu and Sikh refugees arriving from Pakistani Punjab. India is the world's most populous democracy, and New Delhi is the seat of a federal government governing 1.4 billion people.

About India

India is a federal parliamentary republic with 28 states and 8 Union Territories. New Delhi is itself a Union Territory, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, with a partially elected government and a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the central government, creating ongoing jurisdictional tensions between state and central authority. The President is head of state, but executive power rests with the Prime Minister and cabinet. India has held uninterrupted multiparty elections since independence in 1947. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Narendra Modi has governed at the federal level since 2014.

View New Delhi on the map

View New Delhi - The Capital of India on the map

Flight time from New Delhi to other capitals

CityDistance (km)Flight Time
Abu Dhabi23002h 42m
Singapore41004h 49m
Tokyo58006h 49m
Rome59006h 56m
Paris66007h 46m
London67007h 53m
Cape Town930010h 56m
Canberra1040012h 14m
Washington, D.C.1200014h 7m
Buenos Aires1580018h 35m

Capitals with similar population to New Delhi

CityPopulation
New Delhi32,226,000
Beijing21,540,000
Kinshasa14,970,460
Tokyo13,960,000
Manila13,484,462
Moscow12,593,252
Jakarta10,770,487

Capitals with similar eco ranking to New Delhi

CityEco Rank
Antananarivo173
Asmara174
Dhaka175
New Delhi176
Naypyidaw177
Vientiane178
Islamabad179

Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why did the British move India's capital from Calcutta to Delhi?

    The British announced the move in 1911 at the Delhi Durbar, a royal assembly marking the coronation of King George V. The decision was driven by a desire to move the capital to a more central location, to distance government from the politically active Bengali population of Calcutta, and to assert British permanence by building an entirely new capital city. New Delhi was formally inaugurated in 1931.

  • What is the difference between Delhi and New Delhi?

    Delhi refers to the National Capital Territory, a large urban agglomeration of over 32 million people. New Delhi is a district within that territory, specifically the planned colonial-era government zone designed by Lutyens and Baker. The Government of India uses 'New Delhi' as the official name of the capital, but 'Delhi' is commonly used to refer to the broader city.

  • When did New Delhi become the capital of India?

    New Delhi was formally inaugurated as the capital of British India on February 13, 1931. When India gained independence on August 15, 1947, New Delhi continued as the capital of the newly independent republic.

  • Is New Delhi the largest city in India?

    The Delhi metropolitan area, encompassing New Delhi and surrounding zones, is the largest urban agglomeration in India and the most populous capital city region in the world, with over 32 million people. Mumbai is the largest city in India by city-proper definition in some measures, but Delhi's overall metropolitan area is larger.

  • What is the political status of the Delhi territory?

    Delhi is a Union Territory with special status, the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It has an elected Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister, but also a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the central government who holds significant powers. This dual authority has led to repeated political conflicts, particularly between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) governments and the central government over administrative control.

Sights and landmarks

New Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Territory host an extraordinary concentration of historical heritage. The Red Fort (Lal Qila), the Mughal fortress in Old Delhi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Qutb Minar, a 73-metre Islamic minaret tower from the 13th century, is among the oldest and tallest brick towers in the world. The India Gate, a war memorial along the Kartavya Path axis, is the most recognisable symbol of the modern city. The Lotus Temple, the Bahá'í house of worship in the shape of a blooming lotus flower, attracts millions of visitors of all faiths annually. The Humayun's Tomb, an architectural predecessor of the Taj Mahal in style, occupies an extensive Mughal garden complex.

Climate and best time to visit

New Delhi has a hot semi-arid climate with extreme seasonal variation. Summers from April to June are scorching hot: temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius are not unusual in May, combined with loo winds, hot dry sandstorms blowing in from the Rajasthan desert. The monsoon from July to September brings relief from the heat but also heavy rainfall and temporary flooding in lower parts of the city. Winters from November to February are mild during the day, sometimes cold at night, with dense fog and smog severely worsening air quality. October and November are the most pleasant months for a visit. Air pollution is a serious problem throughout the year; Delhi regularly features in the top three most polluted cities in the world.

Culture and customs

New Delhi is the expression of India's diversity in a single city. The National Capital Territory is home to residents from all states, religions and language groups of India. The culinary diversity is immense: from Mughal culinary traditions in Old Delhi through Punjabi tandoori dishes to South Indian dosa, everything is available. The city has a vibrant arts scene with international cultural institutions. Historic bazaars such as Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi date from the Mughal era and are still active trading centres. The Feroz Shah Kotla cricket ground (now Arun Jaitley Stadium) is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in the world and reflects the passion for cricket in India.
New Delhi, capital of India
New Delhi, capital of India

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