- Union Territories (UTs) are directly administered by the Central Government, unlike states which have their own governments.
- There are 8 Union Territories in India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
- The administration of UTs is governed by Articles 239 to 241 of the Constitution of India.
- Article 239: Provides for the administration of UTs by the President through an appointed Administrator or Lieutenant Governor (LG).
- Some UTs like Delhi and Puducherry have legislatures and Chief Ministers, making their governance unique.
- UTs with legislatures are governed under Article 239AA (Delhi) and Article 239A (Puducherry).
- In UTs without legislatures, the Administrator functions as the representative of the President and exercises executive powers.
- Legislative powers: Parliament has the exclusive power to make laws for UTs under Article 246(4).
- Administrators of UTs act on the instructions of the President or the Central Government.
- Delhi has a unique status with a legislature, but its police, public order, and land are controlled by the Central Government.
- Puducherry also has a legislature, but its laws are subject to the approval of the President.
- Article 240 grants the President the authority to make regulations for certain UTs, like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
- The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, created the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).
- UTs with legislatures enjoy a limited form of statehood but are still under significant control of the Central Government.
- In UTs without legislatures, the Administrator or LG has extensive powers, including legislative, executive, and financial control.
- Financial management in UTs is overseen directly by the Central Government.
- The allocation of funds to UTs is determined through the Union Budget.
- Governance challenges include lack of autonomy for UTs and the dominance of the Central Government.
- The role of the Administrator in UTs is often criticized for being overly centralized and bureaucratic.
- In UTs like Delhi, there are frequent conflicts between the Chief Minister and the LG regarding the division of powers.
- Special provisions are made for the cultural and geographic uniqueness of UTs like Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Union Territories are significant for strategic and administrative reasons, given their diverse characteristics.
- In the absence of legislatures, UTs rely on regulations made by the President for governance.
- Coordination issues often arise between the Central Government and UTs with legislatures.
- The administration of UTs emphasizes the importance of direct governance by the Union for national integration and security.
- Policy-making for UTs is centralized, which can sometimes lead to a disconnect with local needs and aspirations.
- The 74th Amendment has extended the governance framework of urban local bodies to UTs.
- The governance of UTs aims to maintain uniformity and efficiency in administration while considering their unique status.
- Union Territories contribute significantly to India's geopolitical and economic landscape.
- The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the unique governance framework of UTs in several judgments.
Questions
- Who administers a Union Territory in India?
- Which Article of the Constitution provides for the administration of Union Territories?
- Who appoints the Administrator of a Union Territory?
- Which Union Territory has its own legislature, Chief Minister, and Council of Ministers?
- The Legislative Assembly of Delhi was established under which constitutional provision?
- Which Union Territory is directly governed by the President of India?
- Which Union Territory has a Lieutenant Governor?
- Which Union Territory does not have a legislative assembly?
- What is the role of the Administrator in a Union Territory without a legislature?
- Which constitutional provision allows the Parliament to make laws for Union Territories?
- Which Union Territory was merged with Daman and Diu in 2020?
- What is the role of the Council of Ministers in Delhi?
- Which Union Territory is governed under the special provisions of Article 239A?
- The concept of Union Territories was introduced by which constitutional amendment?
- Which Union Territory has the largest population?
- Which Union Territory has the smallest population?
- What is the tenure of an Administrator of a Union Territory?
- Who has the power to legislate on all matters for a Union Territory?
- Which Union Territory has jurisdiction over the Nicobar Islands?
- What is the capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep?
- Who is responsible for enforcing the laws in a Union Territory without a legislature?
- Under which schedule of the Constitution are the Union Territories listed?
- How many Union Territories currently have legislatures?
- Which Union Territory was bifurcated to form Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019?
- What is the role of the Lieutenant Governor in Union Territories like Delhi?
- Which Union Territory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architecture?
- What distinguishes the governance of Union Territories from that of States?
- What is the legislative power of Delhi's Assembly compared to other Union Territories?
- Which Union Territory is known for its French heritage?
- What is the official language of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep?
- How does the President exercise control over Union Territories without a legislature?
- Which Union Territory was established as a Union Territory in 2020?
- Which Union Territory has a special focus on tribal administration?
- What is the primary source of revenue for Union Territories without a legislature?
- Which body governs the police and public order in Union Territories like Delhi?
- How is the judiciary for Union Territories integrated into the Indian system?