- 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.
Administration of Union Territories
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?