India has States and Union Territories. A State has its own elected government with wide powers. A Union Territory (UT) is run more directly by the Centre. Some UTs have their own legislature, but most do not. The Constitution deals with UTs in Part VIII. Exams ask about the Articles, the role of the administrator, and special cases like Delhi and Puducherry. This post explains them in simple words. It ends with 15 previous year questions.
Key Points (Quick Revision)
- Union Territories are covered in Part VIII, Articles 239 to 241.
- Every UT is run by the President through an administrator appointed by the President.
- India has 8 Union Territories since 26 January 2020.
- Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir have their own legislatures.
- Delhi has special provisions under Article 239AA, added by the 69th Amendment, 1991.
1. Why do Union Territories exist?
Some areas are kept under the Centre for special reasons:
- Political and administrative reasons - such as Delhi, the national capital.
- Cultural distinctness - such as Puducherry, with its French heritage.
- Strategic importance - such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
- Special treatment for small areas - such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 and the 7th Amendment created the present system of States and UTs.
2. The 8 Union Territories
| Union Territory | Legislature | Head |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Yes | Lieutenant Governor |
| Puducherry | Yes | Lieutenant Governor |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Yes | Lieutenant Governor |
| Ladakh | No | Lieutenant Governor |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | No | Lieutenant Governor |
| Chandigarh | No | Administrator (the Governor of Punjab) |
| Lakshadweep | No | Administrator |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | No | Administrator |
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh became UTs on 31 October 2019. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one UT on 26 January 2020.
3. Article 239 - administration of UTs
Article 239 says every UT is administered by the President, acting through an administrator with a title the President chooses.
- The administrator is an agent of the President, not the head of a State like a Governor.
- The title may be Lieutenant Governor, Administrator or Chief Commissioner.
- The President may also appoint the Governor of a neighbouring State as administrator of a UT. The Governor of Punjab is the administrator of Chandigarh.
Parliament can make laws on any subject for a UT, including subjects in the State List.
4. Legislatures for UTs - Puducherry and J&K
Article 239A, added in 1962, lets Parliament create a legislature and council of ministers for Puducherry. Under this, Parliament passed the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.
- Puducherry has an elected Legislative Assembly, a Chief Minister and a council of ministers.
- The Lieutenant Governor remains the administrator, with important powers.
Jammu and Kashmir got a legislature under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which split the old State into two UTs.
5. Delhi - Article 239AA
Delhi has a special status as the National Capital Territory (NCT).
- The 69th Amendment Act, 1991 added Articles 239AA and 239AB.
- Delhi has an elected Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister with a council of ministers.
- The Delhi Assembly can make laws on State List and Concurrent List subjects, except public order, police and land.
- The Lieutenant Governor is the administrator, and differences between the LG and the ministers can be referred to the President.
The balance of power between the elected government and the LG has been the subject of several Supreme Court cases and laws. Read the current position before the exam.
6. Articles 240 and 241
Article 240 lets the President make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of certain UTs: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Ladakh. For Puducherry, this applies when its Assembly is dissolved or suspended. Such a regulation has the same force as an Act of Parliament.
Article 241 lets Parliament set up a High Court for a UT. In practice:
- Delhi has its own High Court.
- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh share a High Court.
- Other UTs come under the High Courts of nearby States - for example, Chandigarh under the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Puducherry under the Madras High Court, Lakshadweep under the Kerala High Court, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Calcutta High Court.
7. Previous year questions
- Which Part of the Constitution deals with Union Territories? – Part VIII
- Which Articles deal with Union Territories? – Articles 239 to 241
- Who administers a Union Territory? – The President, through an administrator
- How many Union Territories does India have since 2020? – 8
- Which amendment added Article 239AA for Delhi? – 69th Amendment, 1991
- Which article allows a legislature for Puducherry? – Article 239A
- Under which Act does Puducherry have its legislature? – Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
- On which date did Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh become UTs? – 31 October 2019
- Which two UTs were merged on 26 January 2020? – Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu
- Who is the administrator of Chandigarh? – The Governor of Punjab
- Which subjects are outside the law-making power of the Delhi Assembly? – Public order, police and land
- Which article lets the President make regulations for some UTs? – Article 240
- Which article lets Parliament set up a High Court for a UT? – Article 241
- Which High Court has jurisdiction over Lakshadweep? – Kerala High Court
- Which High Court has jurisdiction over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands? – Calcutta High Court
8. How to revise this topic
Start with the Articles: 239 administration, 239A Puducherry, 239AA and 239AB Delhi, 240 regulations, 241 High Courts.
Next, fix the numbers and dates: 8 UTs, J&K and Ladakh on 31 October 2019, merger on 26 January 2020, 69th Amendment in 1991.
Then learn the three UTs with legislatures: Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir.
Finally, remember the High Court links of the smaller UTs using the table and list above.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers a Union Territory in India?
Under Article 239, every Union Territory is administered by the President through an administrator appointed by the President, with a title such as Lieutenant Governor or Administrator.
How many Union Territories are there in India?
India has 8 Union Territories since 26 January 2020, when Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one UT.
Which Union Territories have a legislature?
Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir have their own elected legislatures. The other five UTs do not.
What is Article 239AA?
Article 239AA, added by the 69th Amendment in 1991, gives Delhi a Legislative Assembly and a council of ministers. The Assembly cannot make laws on public order, police and land.
Can Parliament make laws for Union Territories on State List subjects?
Yes. Parliament can make laws on any subject for a Union Territory, including subjects in the State List.
For more Polity topics in simple language, see our States and Union Territories - Formation Years, Governor and State Government and High Courts posts, or browse the Polity section. Preparing for a central exam? Start with the SSC CGL guide or join the 100 Hour GS Course.