Population 2011
9,12,76,115
Area
88,752 km²
Primary capital
Kolkata
Budget 2026-27
₹4,38,775 Cr
Formed
26 January 1950
General Info
Type
State
ISO code
IN-WB
Vehicle code
WB
Website
wb.gov.inHigh court
Calcutta High Court
Languages
BengaliEnglishNepali
Representation
Lok Sabha seats
42
General 31SC 9ST 2
Rajya Sabha seats
16
Lower house
West Bengal Legislative Assembly
294 seats
Legislature structure
Unicameral
Current Officeholders
Elections
Recent election results
Latest Budget
West Bengal Budget 2026-27
Total budget
₹4,38,775 Cr
Net expenditure
₹3,84,169 Cr
Capital expenditure
₹40,930 Cr
9.3% of total
Fiscal deficit
₹62,421 Cr
2.9% of GSDP
Debt / GSDP
38.0%
₹8,16,333 Cr outstanding debt
Freebies
₹36,000 Cr
8.2% of total
Capex / freebies
1.14x
West Bengal Budget 2026-27 totals include debt repayment; net expenditure is recorded separately.
Tourism · calendar year 2024
Tourist visits in West Bengal
Reported visit events from the State/UT tourism department—not unique visitors. One person or trip can generate more than one visit.
Domestic tourist visits
18,44,75,527
Domestic rank
#7 of 36
Foreign tourist visits
31,24,462
Foreign rank
#2 of 36
Centre-state finances
Tax devolution to West Bengal
Latest dated advance instalment and FY 2026-27 Budget Estimate. The instalment is part of the annual flow, not an additional annual entitlement.
Advance released 1 Aug 2026
₹7,866 Cr
Share of latest release
7.2%
FC-16 horizontal share
7.2%
FY 2026-27 Budget Estimate
₹1,10,119.27 Cr
Population
| Year | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 9,12,76,115 | Census 2011 census |
On central government indices
- Fiscal Health IndexNITI Aayog16 / 18 · Major States
- India Justice ReportTata Trusts and partner organisationsIndependent18 / 18 · Large and Mid-sized States
- Logistics Ease Across Different StatesDepartment for Promotion of Industry and Internal TradeGrowth Seekers · Coastal States
- Export Preparedness IndexNITI Aayog12 / 36
- India Innovation IndexNITI Aayog11 / 17 · Major States
- SDG India IndexNITI Aayog20 / 36
- National Multidimensional Poverty IndexNITI Aayog24 / 36
- Performance Grading Index 2.0Department of School Education and LiteracyAkanshi-1
- State Energy Efficiency IndexBureau of Energy EfficiencyAspirant
- National Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council IndiaIndependent21 / 28 · States
- India Electric Mobility IndexNITI AayogAspirant
Sources11
- Wikipedia: West Bengalen.wikipedia.orgPublisher page
- State governments of India: legislature sizesen.wikipedia.orgPublisher page
- Election Commission of India - Rajya Sabha seatseci.gov.inPublisher page
- Election Commission of Indiaresults.eci.gov.inPublisher page
- West Bengal Assembly 2026 turnout sourceceowestbengal.wb.gov.inPDF document
- PRS: West Bengal Budget Analysis 2026-27prsindia.orgPublisher page