Union Territories (UTs) in India are centrally administered regions under direct control of the Union Government, and they were initially created through the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act (1956) and the States Reorganization Act (1956).
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, National Capital Territory of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Ladakh and Puducherry.
Reasons for the formation of Union Territories are
- Political and administrative consideration: Delhi and Chandigarh.
- Cultural distinctiveness: Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
- Strategic importance: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh.
- Special treatment and care of the backward and tribal people
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 1: The territories of India shall comprise
- The territories of the States
- The Union Territories
- Such other territories may be acquired.
- Articles 239 to 241 in Part VIII of the Constitution deal with the union territories
- Art 239: Union Territory shall be administered by the President through an Administrator to be appointed by the President.
- Article 239A: Provides for the creation of local Legislatures or councils of Ministers or both for certain Union Territories.
- Article 239AA: Added by the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991. It says that the Union Territory of Delhi shall be called the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and the Administrator thereof, appointed under Article 239, shall be designated as the Lieutenant Governor.
Parliament Role
- The Parliament can make laws on any subject of the three lists (including the State List) for the union territories.
- The President can make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
- The Parliament can establish a high court for a union territory.
UTs with the Legislature
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Source: The Indian Express