Indian Polity: Union Territories (UTs) – A Complete Guide for Competitive Exams
Welcome, future officers! If you are preparing for SSC, Railway, State PCS, or UPSC exams, Indian Polity is a high-scoring subject. Today, we will master the topic of Union Territories (UTs). This topic frequently appears in objective exams, especially questions related to Articles, High Court jurisdictions, and Recent Amendments.
Let’s break it down in simple, easy-to-understand language.
1. Introduction: What is a Union Territory?
In the Indian federal system, States share power with the Centre. However, Union Territories (UTs) are those areas that are directly administered and controlled by the Central Government (Union Government).
They do not have an independent state government like regular states (with the exception of a few that have been granted partial statehood features).
2. Constitutional Provisions & Background
Here is the core constitutional data you must memorize:
- Part of the Constitution: Part VIII (Part 8)
- Articles: Article 239 to Article 241
- Creation: The concept of Union Territories was added by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956, based on the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission.
Why were UTs created?
- Strategic Importance: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.
- Cultural Distinctiveness: Puducherry, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
- Political & Administrative Reasons: Delhi, Chandigarh.
- Special Circumstances: Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh (created recently for better integration and administration).
3. The 8 Union Territories of India (Current Status)
Currently, India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
(Exam Note: Do not mark 9 UTs! Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu were merged into a single UT in 2020).
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands 2. Chandigarh
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merged on Jan 26, 2020)
- Delhi (National Capital Territory)
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry 7. Jammu and Kashmir (Created on Oct 31, 2019)
- Ladakh (Created on Oct 31, 2019)
4. Administration of Union Territories (Article 239)
- Every UT is administered by the President of India acting through an “Administrator” appointed by him.
- Designations vary by UT:
- Lieutenant Governor (LG): Delhi, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
- Administrator: Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu.
- Special Fact: The Governor of Punjab acts as the ex-officio Administrator of Chandigarh.
5. UTs with a Legislature (Partial Statehood)
Not all UTs are the same. Some have their own Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister.
- Which UTs have a Legislative Assembly? Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Even though they have a Chief Minister, the real power still heavily leans towards the Central Government (via the LG), especially in matters of Police, Public Order, and Land.
Special Status of Delhi (Very Important for Exams):
- Amendment: 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991.
- Article added: Article 239AA.
- Committee: S. Balakrishnan Committee.
- Result: Delhi was redesignated as the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. It created a legislative assembly and a council of ministers for Delhi.
6. High Courts of Union Territories (Match-the-Following Favorite)
Only two UTs have their own separate High Court: Delhi (established 1966) and J&K (Common HC of J&K and Ladakh). Other UTs fall under the jurisdiction of neighboring state High Courts.
| Union Territory | High Court Jurisdiction |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Calcutta High Court |
| Lakshadweep | Kerala High Court |
| Puducherry | Madras High Court |
| D&NH and Daman & Diu | Bombay High Court |
| Chandigarh | Punjab & Haryana High Court |
| Delhi | Delhi High Court (Own) |
| J&K and Ladakh | J&K and Ladakh High Court (Shared) |
7. 🚨 Exam Traps and Confusing Points (Read Carefully!)
- TRAP 1: Who appoints the Chief Minister of Delhi? * Student Mistake: Most students guess “Lieutenant Governor” because state CMs are appointed by the Governor.
- Reality: The CM of Delhi is appointed by the President of India (Article 239AA).
- TRAP 2: How many UTs are there currently?
- Student Mistake: 9 (counting J&K and Ladakh additions to the old 7).
- Reality: 8. Because Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli merged into ONE in 2020.
- TRAP 3: Who makes laws for UTs without a legislature?
- The Parliament has the power to make laws on any subject of the three lists (including the State List) for the Union Territories.
8. Previous Year Exam Relevance
- SSC CGL/CHSL: Frequently asks matching questions about UTs and their High Court jurisdictions (e.g., “Lakshadweep comes under which High Court?”).
- Railway NTPC: Asks direct constitutional articles (e.g., “Which article deals with the special status of Delhi?”).
- State PCS/UPSC: Focuses on the difference in powers between the LG of Delhi and the Governor of a state, and the Balakrishnan Committee.
9. Practice MCQs for Self-Assessment
Q1. Which of the following Constitutional Amendment Acts gave special status to Delhi?
A) 61st Amendment
B) 69th Amendment
C) 73rd Amendment
D) 86th Amendment
Answer: B) 69th Amendment
Explanation: The 69th CAA, 1991 inserted Article 239AA, making Delhi the National Capital Territory (NCT) and providing it with a Legislative Assembly.
Q2. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands fall under the jurisdiction of which High Court?
A) Madras High Court
B) Andhra Pradesh High Court
C) Calcutta High Court
D) Own High Court
Answer: C) Calcutta High Court
Explanation: For administrative and historical reasons, A&N Islands fall under the Calcutta High Court.
Q3. Who appoints the Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi?
A) The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
B) The President of India
C) The Prime Minister of India
D) The Chief Justice of Delhi High Court
Answer: B) The President of India
Explanation: This is a common exam trap! Under Article 239AA, the CM of Delhi is appointed by the President, not the LG.
Q4. Currently, how many Union Territories in India have a Legislative Assembly?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Answer: C) 3
Explanation: Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir have provisions for a Legislative Assembly.
Q5. In which part of the Indian Constitution are the provisions related to Union Territories mentioned?
A) Part VI
B) Part VII
C) Part VIII
D) Part IX
Answer: C) Part VIII
Explanation: Part VIII (Articles 239 to 241) deals entirely with the Union Territories.
10. Quick Revision Summary
Union Territories are centrally administered areas (Part VIII, Arts 239-241). Currently, India has 8 UTs. While most are run by Administrators/LGs, Delhi, Puducherry, and J&K have their own Legislative Assemblies. Remember that Delhi’s special status comes from the 69th Amendment, and only Delhi and J&K/Ladakh have their own High Courts located within their territory. Parliament holds supreme law-making power over all UTs.