How many union territories are there in India. Union Territories are an important topic in the UPSC syllabus under the polity and governance segment. It is important for aspirants to understand how they function, what their constitutional status is, what are the types of UTs in India, etc. for the UPSC exam. Read on for an in-depth understanding of all about Union Territories in India.
Table of Contents
How many union territories are there in india
What are Union Territories?
Union Territories (UTs) are federal territories and are administered by the Union Government of India. They are also known as centrally administered territories. In the Union Territories, Lieutenant Governors (LGs) are appointed by the President of India. The LGs serve as the UT administrators.
Background:
- The UTs were introduced in the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The concept of the UT was added by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956.
Need for UTs
The varying reasons for the formation of UTs included – such territories being too small to be independent or too different (economically, culturally and geographically) to be merged with the surrounding states or were financially weak or politically unstable. Due to the aforementioned reasons, they couldn’t survive as separate administrative units and needed to be administered by the Union Government. Some were made UTs given their location or special status.
The UTs of Daman and Diu was under the rule of the Portuguese, while Puducherry was under the rule of the French.
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They have a different culture than their surrounding States and special provisions may be required to preserve this identity as well as to provide effective governance.
Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands are located far from mainland India and occupy strategic locations.
Union government control on them may be considered a necessity from a national security point of view.
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Delhi is the administrative capital of India while Chandigarh is the administrative capital of both Haryana and Punjab.
The special place that Delhi occupies in India’s polity due to it being the capital of the country necessitates union government control on it.
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In 1956, we had 14 states and six UTs. Over the years, the number of states increased to 28 and UTs to eight.
Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are some UTs that became full states since the 1960s.
How many union territories are there in india
Here are some details about each of the 8 Union Territories in India:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a group of islands located in the Bay of Bengal.
It is the least populous Union Territory in India, with a population of approximately 380,000 people. The islands are known for their beautiful beaches, rich marine life, and indigenous tribes.
The economy of the islands is largely based on tourism and fisheries.
The current Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Admiral D.K. Joshi.
Chandigarh:
Chandigarh: Chandigarh is a Union Territory and also serves as the capital city of the states of Haryana and Punjab.
It is the most prosperous and developed Union Territory in India, with a high standard of living and a high per capita income. The city is known for its modern architecture and urban planning.
The economy of Chandigarh is largely based on the service sector, with a growing IT industry.
The current Administrator of Chandigarh is V.P. Singh Badnore.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu:
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into a single Union Territory in 2020.
Prior to the merger, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a small Union Territory located in western India, while Daman and Diu was a Union Territory located on the west coast of India.
Together, the merged entity has a population of approximately 586,000 people. The economy of the Union Territory is largely based on manufacturing and tourism.
The current Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is Praful Patel.
Lakshadweep:
Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep is a group of islands located in the Arabian Sea. It is the smallest Union Territory in India, with a population of approximately 70,000 people.
The islands are known for their beautiful coral reefs and marine life, as well as their unique culture and traditions.
The economy of Lakshadweep is largely based on fishing and tourism.
The current Administrator of Lakshadweep is Praful Patel
Delhi:
Delhi: Delhi is a Union Territory and also serves as the capital city of India. It is the second-most populous Union Territory in India, with a population of approximately 18.6 million people.
Delhi is a major economic, cultural, and political center in India, and is home to many important government offices, businesses, and institutions.
The economy of Delhi is diverse and includes sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and tourism.
The current Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is Anil Baijal.
Puducherry
Puducherry: Puducherry is a Union Territory located on the southeastern coast of India. It has a population of approximately 1.4 million people.
The Union Territory is known for its unique French colonial architecture and culture, as well as its beautiful beaches and serene backwaters.
The economy of Puducherry is largely based on tourism and agriculture.
The current Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry is Tamilisai Soundararajan.
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory located in the northernmost part of India. It has a population of approximately 13.2 million people.
The Union Territory is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the Himalayan mountains and the Dal Lake. Jammu and Kashmir has been the subject of a long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan.
The economy of Jammu and Kashmir is largely based on agriculture and tourism.
The current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir is Manoj Sinha.
Ladakh
Ladakh is a Union Territory located in the northernmost part of India, bordering China and Pakistan. It has an area of approximately 59,000 square kilometers and a population of around 290,000 people, according to the 2011 census. The population is predominantly Buddhist and the region is known for its distinctive culture and traditions.
The economy of Ladakh is largely based on agriculture, livestock rearing, and tourism. The region is known for its scenic landscapes, including the Himalayan mountains and the high-altitude deserts. The Union Territory is also home to several important military installations due to its strategic location.
Ladakh was previously part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but it became a separate Union Territory in 2019 following the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The move was controversial and sparked protests in the region.
The current Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh is R.K. Mathur. The Union Territory is governed by a legislative assembly, which was established in 2021. The assembly has 26 members, with 24 elected seats and 2 nominated seats for women from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council is a local body that has been in existence since 1995 and has administrative control over the region.
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