State Level Bankers Committee Odisha (SLBC)

State at a Glance

Odisha is located in eastern India, bound by Jharkhand to the north, West Bengal to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the south, and Chhattisgarh to the west, with the Bay of Bengal coastline on its east. Covering an area of 1,55,707 sq. km., it is the 8th largest state by area and 11th largest by population in India.

According to the 2011 census, the total population is 4.20 crore, of which male and female are 2.12 crore and 2.08 crore respectively. The population is predominantly rural, with 83.31% of the people residing in rural areas and 16.69% in urban centers.

Odia is the official and most widely spoken language of the state. Additionally, several indigenous languages and tribal dialects are spoken by the state's diverse tribal groups, which make up a significant portion of Odisha's cultural heritage.

According to the census of 2011, approximately 93.6% of the state residents follow Hinduism, with other major communities including Christians (2.8%) and Muslims (2.1%).

Agriculture is the backbone of Odisha's economy, employing a majority of the workforce. Key crops include paddy (rice), pulses, oilseeds, and jute. The state is also rich in mineral resources, producing coal, iron ore, chromite, and bauxite, and is home to the major Mahanadi river system.

Geographical & Census Features