How many union territories are there

How many union territories are there

Let's understand what is Union Territories

The Union Territories (UTs) are additional parts of the country controlled by the Central Government in India without the existence of any State governments. This system was created for regions that were created for certain reasons - be it strategic importance, cultural differences, or even historical treaties – that prevented them from being ordinary states.

union territories

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Every UT is headed by an Administrator or a Lieutenant Governor appointed directly by the President of India. Some Union Territories, such as Delhi and Puducherry, have their own legislature and elected members, while others are completely controlled by the Union government. Although these regions are generally less in terms of area or population when compared to states, they possess some peculiar political, cultural, or geographical significance for the country as a whole.  

At present, there are 8 Union Territories in India. These Union Territories include:

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Chandigarh
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
• Lakshadweep
• Delhi (NCT)
• Puducherry
• Ladakh
• Jammu and Kashmir

The process of reorganization which re-occurred in 2019 resulted in the separation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Resort Territories do not have their own governments and like many other states, such Union Territories do not enjoy any form of self-rule.

Let’s quickly explore the evolution of eight union territories existing in India.

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The uninhabited ancient islands were first discovered in the British era around the 1850s when they were used as a penal colony. Later they became an inactive Union territory in 1956 after India gained independence.
• Chandigarh: Chandigarh was formed in 1966 as a capital city for both the provinces of Punjab and Haryana, designed by Le Corbusier. It was declared as a Union Territory as no one state could justify its exclusive claim over it.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: These territories were formerly ruled by Portugal, and were taken over by India in the 1950s, finally combined into one Union Territory to promote administration in the year 2020.
• Lakshadweep: Consisting of 36 islands, Lakshadweep is situated in the Arabian Sea and was added to the territory of India after independence. Its society is famous for its rich traditions and now, Lakshadweep still holds its administrative status after being made a union territory in 1956.
• Delhi (NCT): Even before the reorganization of Delhi in 1956, it was the capital city of gravitas and many empires of the past whereas under British rule, Delhi Settlers became the capital city in the year 1911.
• Puducherry: As a result of a treaty between France and India, Puducherry, a French colony, was incorporated into the country in 1954 and became a U.T. in the year 1962 with a strong link between its people and France.
• Ladakh: A region of Nepal resembling a desert and well known for its Buddhist culture was simply cut off the Jammu and Kashmir region in 2019. It was situated as a Union Territory after the redevelopment of the Jammu and Kashmir boundary.
• Jammu and Kashmir: Formerly a state in its own right up until August 2019 when it was dissolved into a territory, it’s now also a Union Territory alongside its other region—Ladakh as Article 370 was repealed.

India’s Union Territories are endowed with different customs and traditional celebrations:

• Delhi: As a melting pot of different cultures and regions does not escape any of the celebrated calendar dates such as Diwali, and Holi.
• Pondicherry: It has a strong French presence and thus incorporates such events as the Fête de Puducherry and Tamil New Year. And of course, all the Indian festivities like Diwali.
• Chandigarh: Most of the festivals here are Punjabi in nature. Baisakhi, Lohri, and Diwali are the most popular festivals, the two latter being more or less a worldwide celebration.
• Lakshadweep: Major festivities including Eid and Bakri Id are celebrated on this island, the majority are Muslims and other regional dances and music are also part of the many fests.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Various Indian state festivals are being celebrated in this part of the country inclusive of an Island Tourism Festival that promotes the island’s tribal customs.
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: Due to the Portuguese as well as tribal influences, the festivals of Navratri, Diwali, and the western like Christmas festivities are rejoiced to a large extent.
• Jammu and Kashmir: Remembering the days of many cultures, she practices such festivals as Shivratri.
• Ladakh: It celebrates the famous period of Losar and Hemis festivals which showcases an elaborate display of the famous monasteries and their dance form.

Each UT has its own form of local customs intermingled with the different influences owing to the celebrations.

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Frequently Ask Questions

Which are the 8 Union Territories in India?

There are 8 Union Territories which are as follows – Delhi, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir together with Ladakh.

What is the reason that in these territories, there is no status of a state but Autonomy is given as Union Territory?

Union Territories are generally smaller areas that need to be administered by the central government for reasons of security or due to the peculiar historical or geographical disposition of the area.

Which Languages is Widely Spoken in Union Territories?

Every Union Territory has its linguistic plurality. For example, in Delhi, Hindi is highly spoken. Jammu and Kashmir speak Kashmiri, Dogri, Ladakh speaks Ladakhi, and Puducherry speaks Tamil.

What are some interesting and unique festivals in the Union Territories?

Festivals such as Ladakh’s Losar, Puducherry’s Fête de Puducherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ Island Tourism Festival are examples of the cultural integration found throughout these regions.

What is the administration of Union Territories?

With the exception of a few (Delhi and Puducherry), most Union Territories are administratively run by the central government, whereas in others there is an appointed Administrator or Lieutenant Governor who directly governs the Territory.