India is a federal republic consisting of 28 states and 7 union territories. It has a population of over 1.12 billion people and a young demographic. The country has a diverse cultural and religious background originating from Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. India has a long and rich historical background dating back to ancient civilizations. It gained independence from British rule in 1947. Today it has a developing economy and challenges with literacy rates, gender inequality, and caste and communal tensions.