India is a federal union of states comprising 28 states and 8 union territories. The name “union territories” is given to the second level of the Indian government, below the 29 states. The seven union territories are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Chandigarh, National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu. 

What are the Union Territories?

Union Territories are those areas that come under the direct control of the Central Government, unlike other states which have their governments. There are 8 Union Territories currently: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu; Lakshadweep; Chandigarh; National Capital Territory of Delhi; Kashmir; Ladakh and Puducherry. The 8th union territory, Ladakh was added in 2019 after bifurcation from the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Out of these 8 UTs, Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi are also designated as special areas. 

8 Union Territories In The Country

  1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: It comprises two major islands, North Andaman and South Andaman, Nicobar Islands and other small groups of islands.
  2. The union territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli: It is bounded by Gujarat on the north and Maharashtra on the east, south and west. Daman & Diu: The Union Territory consists of two regions, namely Daman and Diu.
  3. Puducherry: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe & Yanam are four regions (formerly called provinces) of the Union Territory. The name ‘Union Territory’ replaced that of the province in the 1960s.
  4. Chandigarh: It is a union territory and serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana.
  5. Lakshadweep: It is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands in the Arabian Sea (Laccadive sea) off the Kanyakumari coast. The name Lakshadweep means ‘A Hundred Thousand Islands’ in Sanskrit Delimitation Commission has recommended that the Union Territory of Lakshadweep should be divided into two union territories, namely Lakshadweep and Minicoy.
  6. National Capital Territory of Delhi: It is bounded on three sides by Haryana and on the east by Uttar Pradesh. The name National Capital Territory (NCT) was given to it in 1991.
  7. Jammu & Kashmir: It is bordered by Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir have three regions, name them.
  8. Ladakh : After reorganisation of jammu & kashmir ,apart from jammu the other union territory created was ladakh.

Facts And Figures About Union Territories of India

  • There are eight Union Territories in India. They are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Pondicherry, Kashmir, Ladakh, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi
  • Of these Jammu and Kashmir is the biggest UT with an area of around 1,25,535sq km. Next comes Ladakh which occupies an area of around 96,701 sq km. The smallest UT is Pondicherry occupying an area of merely 62 sq km only
  • Population Of Union Territories In India: According to 2001 Census data Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a population of nearly 380,000 which is just about half the population of Chandigarh which has around 710,098 population
  • Lakshadweep and Puducherry have a population of less than 1 Lakh. Dadra & Nagar Haveli has a population of 62,258 as per the 2001 census. Daman & Diu have a population of nearly 100,000
  • About National Capital Territory Of Delhi: The NCT of Delhi has an area of not more than 1,484sq km as mentioned above and its total population according to the 2001 census was 966,826

Conclusion

The Union Territories are the two main constituents of the Indian polity. The Constitution of India establishes a federal system with a parliamentary democracy. There are 28 states in India, which enjoy a high degree of autonomy in their internal affairs. Each state has its legislature and government. In addition to the states, there are seven union territories in India. Unlike states, union territories have no legislative assembly and are directly ruled by the central government through administrators appointed by it. The Parliament of India exercises control over union territories through law-making power and financial assistance granted to them. This is an introductory overview of the Union Territories of India for students who wish to learn more about our country’s complex political structure.