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8 Union Territories of India and their capitals
In this article, we will discuss a list of 8 Union Territories of India and their Capitals, the Smallest Union Territory, the Largest Union Territory, and the difference between state and Union Territory.
List of 8 Union Territories of India
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Chandigarh
- Dadar and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu
- Lakshadweep
- Ladakh
- Puducherry
- National Capital Territory of Delhi
- Jammu and Kashmir
What is a Union Territory?
A Union Territory (UT) is such a system of administrative divisions in India, where UTs are directly governed by the Central Government of India through a Lieutenant Governor (LG).
A Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Central Government of India. He is the representative of the President of India.
Important Facts about Union Territories:-
- Union Territories (UTs) can have a legislative assembly with elected members.
- A Union Territory is administrated by a Lieutenant Governor.
- In a Union Territory with a legislative assembly, power is shared between Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor, for example, Delhi and Puducherry.
- Delhi and Puducherry are two UTs that have a legislative assembly.
- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are the two newly formed UTs in India.
- There is a total of 8 Union Territories and 28 states in India.
- The largest Union Territory in India in terms of area is Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The Smallest Union Territory in India in terms of area is Lakshwadeep.
Union Territories with Legislature:-
- Delhi
- Puducherry
- Jammu and Kashmir
Union Territories without Legislature:-
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
- Chandigarh
- Lakshadweep
- Ladakh
Capitals of Union Territories in India:-
Andaman and Nicobar Islands – Port Blair
Chandigarh – Chandigarh
Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu – Daman
Lakshadweep – Kavaratti
Delhi – New Delhi
Puducherry – Pondicherry
Ladakh – Leh
Jammu and Kashmir – Jammu (winter Nov to Apr), Srinagar (Summer May to Oct)
Difference Between State and Union Territory?
| State | Union Territory |
| A state has its elected government and administrative units. | A union terriroty can have legislative assembly. Power is shared between LG and Chief Minister. |
| It has legislative assembly with elected members. | Only Delhi and Puducherry has elected legislative assembly. J&K will follow. |
| Governor is the head of state. | President is the head of UTs. |
| A state is administrated by Chief Minister. | It is administrated by Lieutenant Governor. |
| A state is large in area | Smaller in area |
| State have autonomus powers | UTs do not have autonomus powers |
| States shares federal relatioship with center | UTs shares unitary relasionship with the centre |
Why were Union Territory formed?
Union territories were formed due to many reasons few of them are administrative purposes, Location, the difference in culture while few of them are acquired.
UTs are very small to be a state due to which they need constant support in all aspects of governance and administration.
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territory
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are Union territory territories w.e.f 31 Oct 2019.
The bill was signed by Raj Nath Kovind, President of India.
Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir were given special status under Article 370 of the Indian constitution.
Jammu and Kashmir had their own constitution and administrative autonomy.
Indian citizens from other countries were not allowed to purchase land or property in Jammu and Kashmir.
Girish Chandra Murmu is the first Lieutenant Governor of J&K.
Radha Krishna Mathur is the first Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
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