Union territory

For other uses, see Federal territory.

• National Capital Territory of Delhi

• Andaman
and
Nicobar Islands

• Chandigarh

• Dadra and Nagar Haveli

• Daman and Diu

• Lakshadweep

• Puducherry

A Union Territory is a framework of governance in India. Unlike the states of India, which have their own elected governments, union territories are ruled directly by the federal government. The President of India appoints an administrator or lieutenant-governor for each territory.

There are seven union territories, including Delhi, the capital of India. Delhi and Puducherry operate somewhat differently than the other five. Delhi and Puducherry were given partial statehood and Delhi was redefined as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). Delhi and Puducherry have their own elected legislative assemblies and the executive councils of ministers.

The six current union territories are:

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Chandigarh
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• Daman and Diu
• Lakshadweep
• Puducherry

Union territories of India have special rights and status due to their constitutional formation and development. They may be given this constitutional status for reasons such as safeguarding the rights of indigenous cultures of that region, averting political turmoil related to matters of administration, and so on. These union territories could be changed to states in the future for more efficient administrative control.