Union Territories of India- know Everything About Indian UTs

Union Territories of India: The parliamentary government in India is a constitutional monarchy with the power to legislate on behalf of the entire nation. India has a sort of administrative division known as a “union territory,” governed by the federal government (Central Government). Due to this, it is referred to as “union territory.” This executive branch is headed by the President, who holds constitutional authority. The President is in charge of Union Territories, and they appoint an Administrator to serve in that capacity. Because of their inception and evolution, union territories in India have special rights and privileges. To protect the rights of local cultures and avoid political instability over administration issues, the designation of “Union Territory” is bestowed upon a section of India that was formerly a foreign colony.

What are the Union Territories of India?

The President of India chooses Lieutenant Governors on the proposal of the Prime Minister to administer Union Territories, which the Central Government directly issues. Delhi and Puducherry are the only two Union Territories with a member of Parliament. Administrative responsibilities in each Union territory are distinct from those in other Union areas. To better control the Union territory, they have been broken down into smaller administrative units. Villages make up the smallest administrative area. In every village, a Gram Panchayat serves as an executive authority. A Gram Panchayat can administer many villages within its jurisdiction.

How Many Indian Union Territories Are There?

The Parliamentary form of government governs India, a confederation of independent states. It is a sovereign, secular, democratic republic. No one occupies that position more formally than the  President when it comes to government. The President of India’s delegate supposedly controls union territories. In India, there are 8 states and 8 territories. All the Indian Union Territories (UTs) are different in population size, demographics, history and culture, including customs such as dress, food, and festivals. If you’ve never heard of UTs before, this section will give you a taste of what they offer.

Union Territories in India

In India, there are 8 territories. The following is a complete list:

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
3. Chandigarh
4. Lakshadweep
5. Puducherry
6. Delhi
7. Ladakh
8. Jammu and Kashmir

•  Andaman and Nicobar Islands

6° to 14° North Latitude; 92° to 94° East Longitude; these coordinates define the Union Territories of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands The Andaman and Nicobar groups of islands are distinguished by their latitudes: the Andaman is north of 10° north latitude, and the Nicobar is south of 10° north latitude. There is a humid tropical coastal climate in the islands. The southwest and northeast monsoons are responsible for rainfall in the islands, and the heaviest rainfall occurs between May and December.

On the islands, hunting and fishing were the primary sources of food. Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese are four Negrito tribes found in the Andaman Islands; the Nicobarese and Shompens are two Mongoloid tribes found in the Nicobar Islands.

• Daman and Diu and Nagar Haveli

Recently, the Union Territory of Dadar and Nagar Haweli was formed by the amalgamation of Daman and Diu with the Dadar and Nagar Haweli district of Mumbai. From 1954 until 1961, the “Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administration” was in charge of the area. It was incorporated into India on August 11, 1961, and since then, it has been controlled by the Indian government as a “Union Territory.”

• Lakshadweep

The early history of these islands is shrouded in mystery. It is the tiniest of India’s Union Territories. According to legend, Amini, Andrott, Kavaratti, and Agatti were the first islands to be settled. In the 14th century, it was thought that the islanders were originally Hindus who converted to Islam after being influenced by Arab traders. An Administrator appointed by the Union Government has overseen the islands since they were united as a single jurisdiction in 1956. In 1973, the Laccadives, Minicoy, and Amindivi islands became known as Lakshadweep. Twelve atolls, three reefs, and submerged sandbanks make up Lakshadweep, a coral island group. In total, only 11 of the 27 islands are habitable. Around 280 kilometres to 480 kilometres off the coast of Kerala, they are dispersed in the Arabian Sea.

• Puducherry

Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam are the four former French settlements in South India that make up the territory of (Puducherry). Until recently, Puducherry served as the French colony’s headquarters in India. 138 years of French sovereignty ended with the 1st November 1954 amalgamation with the Indian Union. East of the Bay of Bengal, it is flanked by Tamil Nadu on all three sides. At a distance of 150 kilometres from Puducherry, Karaikal may be found.

The Malabar Coast of the Western Ghats is home to the town of Mahe, which is bordered by the state of Kerala. From Calicut Airport, which is 70 kilometres from Mahe, it may be accessed. Yanam is, a small town in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, around 200 kilometres from Visakhapatnam International Airport.

• NCT of Delhi

In the epic Mahabharata, Delhi is mentioned frequently. From the Mauryas, Pallavas, and Guptas of central India, through the Turks and Afghans in the 13th to 15th centuries, and lastly to the Mughals in the 16th century, it was under the power of several rulers and dynasties. British control was established in Delhi in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. After the capital moved from Kolkata to Delhi in 1911, Delhi became the focal point of all activity. In 1956, it became a Union Territory. With Haryana encircling it on all but one side, Delhi is located in the country’s northernmost region. With the passage of the National Capital Territory Act, 1991, and the 69th constitutional amendment, Delhi gained a Legislative Assembly.

• Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a wholly developed city with the most up-to-date architecture. “City Beautiful” is a common nickname for the city nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills. French architect Le Corbusier designed the city as an example of contemporary architecture. On November 1, 1966, Chandigarh and the surrounding territory became a Union Territory. Located in both Punjab and Haryana, it serves as the state’s capital. Punjab surrounds it to the north and west, and Haryana to the east and south.

• Ladakh

On October 31st, 2019, Ladakh became a Union Territory. Ladakh is made up of Leh and Kargil, the two districts that make up the Union Territory. As a result, it’s known for its distant alpine beauty and distinct cultural identity. There will be two districts in the UT of Ladakh – Leh and Kargil.

Leh District:

1. Sub-Divisions: 6

2. Tehsils: 8

3. Blocks: 16

4. Panchayat: 95

5. Villages: 113

Kargil District:

1. Sub-Divisions: 4

2. Tehsils: 7

3. Blocks: 15

4. Panchayat: 98

5. Villages: 130

• Jammu and Kashmir

How are Delhi, Puducherry, and J&K different from the rest of the Union Territories in terms of their systems?

In India, states and three Union Territories (Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir) are governed by elected legislatures.

Three of India’s eight union territories, namely Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Puducherry, have their elected legislatures due to the country’s Constitution being amended to grant them partial sovereignty.

Each of the three union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Puducherry is run like a state, with its legislative assembly and executive council. There are just a few subjects on the state list that are theirs and a few that belong to the federal government.

A chronology of the Union Territories of India

The States Re-organization Commission suggested in 1956 that these territories be placed in a separate category since they do not match the paradigm of a state and do not follow a regular pattern of government. Unbalanced and fiscally weak regions can’t function as autonomous administrative units without relying heavily on the Union administration. This was found out. Considering all the factors involved in the formation of Union territory. Chandigarh, India’s joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, is located on the island of Andaman and Nicobar, India’s first union territory. The Jammu and Kashmir states have recently been split into Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Union Territories. In contrast, Dadar and Nagar Haweli has been amalgamated with Daman and Diu Union Territories.

FAQs on Union Territories of India

Q. A Council of Ministers is chosen in which of the following union territories?

Ans-  Delhi

Q. Daman and Diu is a union territory governed by whom?

Ans- Administrator

Q. In any Union Territory, who has the authority to establish a High Court?

Ans- The House of Representatives

Q. Which amendment to the Constitution made Delhi a separate state?

Ans- In the 69th year.

Q. Which state does not have a representative in the Indian parliament?

Ans- Chandigarh and Lakshadweep

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