What Is Union Territory? Everything You Must Know
Are you searching answer for what is union territory? If yes, then you have touched down on the right page! We all are aware that, India is a federal country that consists of states and union territories. But many high school students often get confused between the state and a union territory. In today’s article, we will learn what is union territory in simple words. Here, I will introduce you to various union territories of India map. Make sure you do not forget to check out why union territories and their capitals were formed. Now let’s get ready to find out what is union territory more in detail.
What Is Union Territory?
A centrally administered subdivision of India that is ruled by the central government is known as a union territory. Here, the central government has a Lieutenant governor as an administrator.
There are a total of nine union territories in India and they are as follows:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Chandigarh
- Daman and Diu
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
- Delhi
- Ladakh
- Jammu and Kashmir
Here, Andaman and Nicobar Island is the largest union territory of India. As you have now understood what is union territory means, let’s check out their types.
Types Of Union Territory
Below, I have listed down two types of union territories on the India map.
- Union Territory with Legislature: This includes Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Union Territory without Legislature: This includes Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, Ladakh, and Lakshadweep.
Let us now find out what is the difference between state and territory.
Difference Between State And Union Territory
In the above section, you got to know what is meant by union territory in short. now, over here, we will study the actual difference between a state and a union territory.
| State | Union Territory |
|---|---|
| It is a constituent division that is ruled by a separate government. | It is a small administrative that is ruled by the union. |
| States have the opportunity to elect their own government. | Whereas, union territories are directly controlled by the Central Government of India. |
| They can enjoy a federal relationship with the central government. | They do not have a federal relationship with the central government. |
| Usually, the governor is the constitutional head of the state. | Here, the president of India is the executive head of union territories. |
| The size of states is larger than union territories. | The size of union territories is smaller than states. |
| They have autonomous powers. | They do not have autonomous powers. |
| Currently, there are a total of 28 states in India. | There are a total of 9 union territories in India. |
| All the legislative and executive powers are evenly distributed. | All the legislative and executive powers rest within the union territory. |
Brief History Of 9 Union Territories Of India
In 1956, the concept of Union Territory was introduced in the States Reorganization Act. It refers to the territories that are too small to be independent or different to be merged are financially weak and unstable. Also, they can’t survive as separate administrative units without depending on the Union government. From all these observations, union territories were formed. However, the first union territory of India is Andaman and Nicobar island.
Below, I have listed down capitals and dates of establishment of all the union territories.
| Union Territory | Date Of Establishment | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1 November 1956 | Port Blair |
| Chandigarh | 1 November 1966 | Chandigarh |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu | 26 January 2020 | Daman |
| Delhi | 1 November 1956 | New Delhi |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 31 October 2019 | Sri Nagar (summer) & Jammu (winter) |
| Ladakh | 31 October 2019 | Leh (summer) & Kargil (winter) |
| Lakshadweep | 1 November 1956 | Kavaratti |
| Puducherry | 16 August 1962 | Puducherry |
Interesting Facts About Union Territory
By now, you must have understood what is union territory (UTs) in detail. Let’s check out some interesting facts about all the above-listed union territories.
- According to Article 239, the President of India is also known as the Chief Administrator of the UTs.
- The territories including Andaman and Nicobar, Delhi, Puducherry, Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir all have Lieutenant Governors.
- On the other hand, territories including Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu have Administrators.
- In 2020, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was merged with Daman and Diu into a single UT.
FAQ
What Does Union Territory Mean?
A centrally administered subdivision of India that is ruled by the central government is known as a union territory. Here, the central government has a Lieutenant governor as an administrator.
What Is A Union Territory Short Answer?
A centrally administered subdivision of India that is ruled by the central government is known as a union territory. Here, the central government has a Lieutenant governor as an administrator.
Why Union Territory Is Formed?
Union territories were formed because these territories were too small to be independent or different to merge with the surrounding states.
Why Delhi Is A Union Territory?
Delhi is a union territory because in 1911 British Empire shifted their capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi. Afterward, Delhi became the capital of India in 1947. Later on, it was also declared as a union territory of India in 1956.
What Is Union Territory With Legislature?
A centrally administered subdivision of India that is ruled by the central government is known as a union territory. Here, the central government has a Lieutenant governor as an administrator. UTs like Delhi and Puducherry have their own assembly and elected MLAs.
How Many Union Territories Are There In India?
There are a total of 9 union territories in India and are as follows.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Chandigarh
- Daman and Diu
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
- Delhi
- Ladakh
- Jammu and Kashmir
What Is Difference Between State And Union Territory?
The difference between states and union territories is as follows.
| State | Union Territory |
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Who Is The Head Of Union Territory?
Union Territories are administrated by the President acting to such extent, as he thinks fit, through an Administrator appointed by him. Administrators of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi and Puducherry are designated as Lieutenant Governors. The Governor of Punjab is concurrently the Administrator of Chandigarh.
Are There 8 Or 9 Union Territories?
There are 28 states and 8 Union territories in the country. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him/her.
What Is The Difference Between A State And Territory?
Unlike a state, territories do not have legislations to create laws for themselves, so they rely on the federal government to create and approve the laws.
Why Goa Is Not Union Territory?
Is Goa a union territory? Goa, Daman and diu was union territory after it Independence from Portuguese in 19 Dec 1961. Goa achieved full statehood on 30 May 1987. So currently Goa is a State and not union territory.
Can A State Have No Territory?
Under the Montevideo Convention, a prospective state must meet four criteria. It must have a territory, with a permanent population, subject to the control of a government, and the capacity to conduct international relations (sovereignty). Of these requirements, territory presents the major obstacle.
Which Is The Largest UT In India?
The area of Andaman and Nicobar is 8249 sq km and it is the largest union territory in terms of area. This is the correct answer. Option B: Chandigarh The administrator of Chandigarh is concurrently the governor of Punjab. The area of Chandigarh is 114 sq km and it is not the largest union territory in terms of area.
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Conclusion
In my above article, we have studied what is the meaning of union territory in brief. The federal territories that are administered by the Union Government of India are known as union territories. Here, Lieutenant Governors are elected by the Presented of India who is also their administrator. At present, India has nine union territories and has a unitary relationship with the Union Government. One of the major differences between states vs UTs is their size! States are larger in size when compared with UTs. Once you understand what is union territory, you won’t get confused between states and UT.
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