India is a country rich in culture and diversity, and this is reflected in its administrative divisions. The country is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories, which each have their own distinct history, culture, and geography. In this blog post, Knowledge Glow will explore the union territories of India. From the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Dadra and Nagar Haveli, read on to learn more about these unique regions of the country.
What Is a Union Territory?
A Union Territory is an administrative division of India. There are 28 union territories in total, with 9 being inhabited and 19 being uninhabited. The inhabited union territories are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Daman and Diu, and the National Capital Region of Delhi. These union territories have their own elected governments whereas the others are governed by the central government through an administrator appointed by the President of India.
What Are the Union Territories in India?
India has 28 states and 8 union territories. In India currently has 8 Union Territories (UTs) – Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
- In 2019, Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed by the Indian Parliament and it reconstituted the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UT) – of Jammu and Kashmir and UT of Ladakh.
- In 2020, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu were merged into a single UT (Union Territory) known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Union Territory | Capital |
---|---|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Daman |
Delhi | New Delhi |
Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) |
Ladakh | Leh (summer), Kargil (winter) |
Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
Puducherry | Puducherry |
How Are They Different From States?
The Union Territories in India are union territories of the Republic of India. They are governed by an administrator appointed by the President of India. Unlike the states of India, which have their own governments, union territories are administered by the central government. The President of India also appoints a lieutenant governor for each union territory.
The Parliament of India can pass laws specifically applicable to union territories, and the executive branch of the central government can also issue ordinances for union territories when Parliament is not in session. The Administrator has wide powers to make decisions on behalf of the President, though he is generally required to consult with the Chief Minister or other elected representatives before doing so.
Union Territories are often created when a state is merged with another state, or when a part of a state is split off to form a new state. For example, when the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act was passed in 2014, the Telangana region was carved out of Andhra Pradesh to form a new state, and the remaining parts of Andhra Pradesh were merged with two other states to form the new state of Telangana. Hyderabad was declared as the joint capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for ten years, after which it would
What Is the History of the Union Territories?
The Union Territories in India are regions that are not granted full statehood but are instead governed directly by the national government. These regions typically have a smaller population and area than full states, and are often located in strategic or sensitive areas.
The first Union Territory in India was the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which were placed under direct central government control in 1858. Since then, several other regions have been added to the list of Union Territories, including Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1961), Goa (1987), Pondicherry (2006), and most recently, Jammu and Kashmir (2019).
Union Territories enjoy a certain degree of autonomy, but they ultimately answer to the central government in New Delhi. This arrangement has been criticized by some as a form of second-class citizenship, as Union Territories do not have their own elected legislatures and are instead governed by appointed administrators.
Also Read: How To Become An IAS Officer
The Current Union Territories
The current Union Territories in India are:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Chandigarh
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
- Delhi
- Dammu and Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry

Pros and Cons of Living in a Union Territory
Union territories are a special type of administrative division in India. They have their own legislative bodies and a much lower population compared to other Indian states and union territories. They also have limited autonomy from the central government. In this article, we will discuss some pros and cons of living in a union territory so that you can decide if this is the right place for you!
Pros of living in a union territory
- Lesser crime rate. The union territory has a lower crime rate than other parts of India. This is because it is located near the main cities, but far enough away to avoid any serious urban problems.
- Aquatic life. You can find many types of fish and aquatic plants around your home, including freshwater turtles and frogs!
- Less contamination. Many people have commented that they feel safer living in a union territory because there are fewer contaminants floating around compared to other parts of India (like Delhi), making them less likely to contract diseases such as TB or AIDS from pets or animals outside their homes
Lesser Crime Rate
Union territories have a lower crime rate than other States. This is due to the lesser population that resides in these areas and also due to the police force. The number of police personnel per 1 lakh people is much lower than that of other states, which means there will be more chance for any criminal activity being uncovered by them.
The crime rate can also be influenced by other factors like social security schemes, availability of good roads and infrastructure etc., but these are not considered here because they do not directly affect how safe your area feels like or whether you feel safer walking around at night without fear of getting mugged or attacked by someone known as an “unidentified person”.
Aquatic Life
Having an aquatic life in a union territory is a great advantage. The water is clean, and there are more fish than what you would find in other states or countries. You can also see how much less pollution there is compared to other places like Mumbai or Delhi.
Less Contamination
Union territories are less contaminated than other parts of India. This is because they have not been industrialized and urbanized, which means that there are fewer factories and more agriculture in these areas. You will also find fewer people in your neighborhood, which means there’s less to pollute the air with noise pollution or other types of environmental hazards.
Cons of Living in a Union Territory
- Lack of Employment Opportunities:
Union territories have a low employment rate, which is why you might find yourself looking for jobs in a different State after graduation. You will also not be able to get any kind of employment in the union territory itself as there are no industries and businesses that operate here.
Lack of Employment Opportunities
Union territories are underdeveloped and lack of employment opportunities. The unemployment rate in these areas is high and people have to move to other states for work. This means that when you are from a union territory, you will have to go through a lot of trouble before getting a job or even getting into college. Your education will also be affected if you live in this state and there aren’t enough jobs for educated folks like yourself!
Floods and Droughts
Floods and droughts are common problems in union territories. Both of these can be mitigated by better planning and infrastructure, but they do occur more frequently than other areas. Union territories tend to be at higher risk for natural disasters because they are located near water resources or on the coastlines where storms blow in from ocean currents.
Lack of Medical Facilities
The biggest problem with living in a union territory is the lack of medical facilities. There are no good hospitals and doctors, so you have to travel to other cities or states for treatment. You may need a surgery but there is no way that your local hospital will be able to perform such an operation.
The lack of good doctors can also affect your health as they do not understand how to treat certain diseases properly like hypertension or diabetes which need specific medication depending on their severity levels.
Union Territory is a good option for living
Union Territory is a good option for living if you want to live in a small town, near the sea or river, or near mountains. It’s also an excellent choice for people who want to live in a big city.
Which Union Territory Is the Best to Live In?
Union Territories in India: Which One is the Best to Live In?
There are eight union territories in India, each with its own unique features and attractions. But which one is the best to live in? That’s a tough question to answer, as there are pros and cons to living in each of the union territories.
Here’s a look at some of the factors you might want to consider when choosing a union territory to live in:
Climate: If you’re looking for a warm climate, then the Lakshadweep Islands or Pondicherry are probably your best bet. If you prefer cooler temperatures, then head to Delhi or Chandigarh. And if you don’t mind the heat, then Jammu & Kashmir or Dadra & Nagar Haveli might be right for you.
Cost of living: Delhi and Chandigarh are both relatively expensive places to live, while Pondicherry is on the cheaper side. Lakshadweep is also reasonably priced, although it can be difficult to find affordable accommodation on the islands. Jammu & Kashmir and Dadra & Nagar Haveli are both fairly affordable places to live.
Constitutional Provisions Related to Uts
The Constitution of India provides for the establishment of union territories in Part VIII. Union Territories are those regions which do not have the status of a state but are directly governed by the Central government. There are nine union territories in India, namely Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, National Capital Territory of Delhi, Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry), Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Each union territory is governed by an Administrator appointed by the President of India. The Administrator is generally a senior Indian Administrative Service officer. The capital city of each union territory is also administered by the Central government through an appointed Lieutenant Governor.
The Parliament has the power to legislate for union territories under Article 246 read with Entry 97 of List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Parliament may also delegate this power to the Legislative Assembly of the concerned union territory or any other body specified by it.
Conclusion
The Union Territories in India are fascinating places with a lot of history and culture. If you’re ever looking for somewhere new to explore, definitely consider visiting one of these unique territories. From the stunning Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the bustling Delhi, there’s something for everyone in India’s Union Territories.