Union Territories of India 2024
India, a union of states, is a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic with a Parliamentary system of Government. A union territory is a type of administrative division in India which is ruled directly by the Union government (Central Government). Hence, it is called the “union territory”. The President is the constitutional head of the Executive of the Union. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him/her. Union territories of India have special rights and status due to their process of formation and development. The status of “Union Territory” is assigned to an Indian sub-division to safeguard the rights of indigenous cultures, averting political turmoil related to matters of governance, newly inducted into India from a foreign colony and so on.
8 Union Territories of India – Capitals, Area and Population
In the Republic of India, specific regions are designated as Union Territories (UTs). These territories are directly overseen by the Central Government through a Lieutenant Governor, who acts as the envoy of the Indian President. Unlike states, which are divisions of the Indian Republic with their own administrative systems, Union Territories are administered directly by the Central Government.
As of 2023, there are eight Union Territories in India. These include Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry. The following is a list of the eight Union Territories of India along with relevant details:
|
Union Territory |
Year of Foundation |
Capital City |
Population (2011 census) |
Area (square km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
November 1956 |
Port Blair |
3,80,581 | 8,249 |
|
Chandigarh |
1966 |
Chandigarh |
10,55,451 | 115 |
|
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu |
January 2020 |
Daman |
3,43,709 | 603 |
|
Delhi |
1956 |
New Delhi |
1,67,87,941 | 1,483 |
|
Lakshadweep |
November 1956 |
Kavaratti |
64,473 | 32 |
|
Puducherry |
November 1954 |
Pondicherry |
12,47,953 | 479 |
|
Jammu and Kashmir |
October 2019 |
Srinagar in Summer and Jammu in Winter |
1,22,67,013 | 42,241 |
|
Ladakh |
October 2019 |
Leh |
2,74,289 | 59,146 |
Largest Union Territories of India
When considering the geographical extent, Ladakh is the largest Union Territory in India, including a land area of 59,146 square kilometres. In terms of population, however, Delhi is the leader as the largest Union Territory. According to the 2011 Census, Delhi is home to a population of 16,787,941 individuals.
Union Territories of India and Their Capitals
India includes a total of eight distinctive Union Territories, each characterised by its own distinctive attributes and administration. These are Ladakh, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
In 2019, the Indian government enacted the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, marking a significant legislative landmark. This act led to the division of the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir into two separate Union Territories i.e., Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, each with its own distinct governance framework.
Furthermore, in the year 2020, a consolidation occurred in the administration and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu merged to form a single entity, now referred to as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Given below is a list of these 8 Union Territories along with their respective capitals:
|
Union Territory |
Capital |
|---|---|
|
Jammu and Kashmir |
Srinagar ( Summer), Jammu (Winter) |
|
Lakshadweep |
Kavaratti |
|
Chandigarh |
Chandigarh |
|
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu |
Daman |
|
Puducherry |
Puducherry |
|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
Port Blair |
|
Delhi |
New Delhi |
|
Ladakh |
Leh (Summer) and Kargil (winter) |
Union Territories of India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
8,249 square kilometre |
|
Population |
4 Lakhs |
|
Capital |
Port Blair |
|
Languages |
Hindi, Bengali, Nicrobares, Malayam, Telugu and Tamil |
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory is situated between 6° & 14° North Latitude and 92° & 94° East Longitude. The islands north of 10° north latitude are called the Andaman Group, while those in south are the Nicobar Group. These islands experience a humid, tropical coastal climate characterised by rainfall from both southwest and northeast monsoons, peaking between May and December. Indigenous communities include four Negrito tribes in the Andaman Group and two Mongoloid tribes in the Nicobar Group.
Union Territories of India: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
603 square kilometer |
|
Population |
4 Lakhs (Approx) |
|
Capital |
Daman |
|
Languages |
Gujarati and Hindi |
The Daman and Diu were merged into Dadra and Nagar Haveli, forming a single Union Territory. Originally functioning with relative autonomy from 1954 to 1961, this territory merged with India in 1961 and is administered as a UT under the Government of India.
Union Territories of India: Lakshadweep
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
32 square kilometre |
|
Population |
64,429 (approx) |
|
Capital |
Kavaratti |
|
Languages |
Jeseri, Malayalam and Mahal |
Lakshadweep, India’s smallest Union Territory, consists of 12 atolls, three reefs and submerged sand banks. Its history is lesser-known and its islands are scattered in the Arabian Sea. Its inhabitants, believed to have converted to Islam from Hinduism in the 14th century, exhibit distinct cultural traits.
Union Territories of India: Puducherry (Pondicherry)
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
479 Square Kilometre |
|
Population |
12,44,464 (approx) |
|
Capital |
Puducherry |
|
Languages |
Malayam, Tamil, English, French and Telugu |
Puducherry comprises former French establishments, including Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Having been under French rule for 138 years, it merged with India in 1954. It is bordered by the Bay of Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Union Territories of India: NCT of Delhi
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
1,483 square kilometres |
|
Population |
1,67,53,235 (approx) |
|
Capital |
Delhi |
|
Languages |
Punjabi, Hindi, English and Urdu |
Delhi, with a rich historical legacy, became a Union Territory in 1956. It was the capital under several rulers, including the Mughals and later the British. It acquired a Legislative Assembly with the 69th Constitutional amendment in 1991.
Union Territories of India: Chandigarh
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
114 square kilometre |
|
Population |
10,54,686 (approx) |
|
Capital |
Chandigarh |
|
Languages |
Punjabi, Hindi and English |
Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier, is a modern architectural marvel and serves as the capital of Punjab and Haryana.
Union Territories of India: Ladakh
|
Particulars |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Area |
59,146 square kilometre |
|
Population |
2.74 lakhs (approx) |
|
Capital |
Leh |
|
Languages |
Ladakhi, Sino- Tibetan and Tibeto-Burman |
Ladakh officially attained the status of a Union Territory on October 31, 2019. This region is celebrated for its remote mountainous landscapes and distinct cultural heritage. The Union Territory of Ladakh is comprised of two principal districts: Leh and Kargil.
With its unique administrative divisions, Ladakh’s Leh District consists of six sub-divisions, eight tehsils and sixteen blocks, for an effective governance structure. The district includes a network of 95 panchayats governing local affairs across 113 villages. Similarly, the Kargil District is divided into four sub-divisions, seven tehsils and fifteen blocks, presided over by 98 panchayats that manage 130 villages.
Leh District:
- Sub-Divisions: 6
- Tehsils: 8
- Blocks: 16
- Panchayat: 95
- Villages: 113
Kargil District:
- Sub-Divisions: 4
- Tehsils: 7
- Blocks: 15
- Panchayat: 98
- Villages: 130
Union Territories of India: Jammu and Kashmir
|
Particulars |
India |
|---|---|
|
Capital |
Jammu (winter) and Srinagar (Summer) |
|
Area |
42,241 square kilometre |
|
Languages |
Urdu, Balti, Kashmiri, Gojri, Dogri, Ladakhi, Pahari and Dari |
Understanding Union Territories of India
Union Territories (UTs) in India are federal territories governed directly by the Union Government. They are regions characterised by central administration, overseen by appointed Lieutenant Governors (LGs) who act as representatives of the Indian President. The concept of UTs was introduced through the 1956 States Reorganisation Act, enshrined in the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act of 1956.
Indian Union Territories: Historical Context
In the discussions surrounding the reorganisation of states in 1956, it was recognised that certain territories did not neatly fit the classification of states and lacked a uniform governance structure. These territories faced economic imbalances, financial fragility and administrative and political instability, rendering them reliant on the Union government for sustenance.
As a result, the concept of Union Territories was introduced to cater to these specific conditions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were the pioneering Union Territory and Chandigarh was designated as a joint capital for Punjab and Haryana. More recently, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Additionally, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were merged with Daman and Diu, creating a single entity.
Distinct Systems in Delhi and Puducherry among Union Territories
Among the states and Union Territories in India, Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir stand out due to their elected legislatures.
Delhi and Puducherry’s Unique Status
Out of the total eight Union Territories in India, Delhi and Puducherry have their own elected assemblies. These two UTs have been granted partial statehood through amendments to the Constitution.
Legislative and Administrative Autonomy
Delhi and Puducherry function with their legislative assemblies and executive councils, operating in a manner similar to full-fledged states. They possess certain subjects from the State List and some subjects under central jurisdiction.
Constitutional Framework for Union Territories of India
The governance of Union Territories falls under Articles 239 to 241 under Part VIII of the Indian Constitution. The structure of their governance, however, is not uniform.
The original Article 239 of the Constitution allowed the President to administer UTs directly through appointed administrators.
In 1962, Article 239A was introduced, empowering Parliament to establish legislatures for UTs. Some UTs were granted legislatures and Councils of Ministers to accommodate democratic aspirations. The 69th Amendment Act of 1991 introduced special provisions for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, embedded in Article 239AA.
Presidential Authority over Union Territories of India
Article 240 grants the President the authority to enact laws for the welfare, development and efficient administration of territories like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Puducherry. However, in the case of Puducherry, such regulations can be imposed only after the assembly’s dissolution or suspension. These Presidential regulations carry the same legal weight as parliamentary acts.
Article 241 allows Parliament to declare any court within a territory as a High Court for the Constitution’s purposes. Only Delhi’s National Capital Territory has an independent High Court.
