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Union territories (UTs) are administrative regions governed directly by the Central Government of India. Unlike states, which have their own elected governments and legislatures, most Union territories are centrally administered by an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President. A few Union territories, like Delhi and Puducherry, have elected legislatures with limited powers.

As of 2025, India has 8 Union territories, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and others. This article covers their details, history, constitutional status, reasons for their creation, and other important facts relevant for competitive exams and general knowledge.

Union Territories of India Overview

Union territories of India are special administrative regions directly managed by the Central Government. The governance model is different from that of states. While states have their own governments, most UTs are administered by an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the President.

In some cases, Union territories can have legislatures with limited law-making authority. Currently, only Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir have this provision.

Union territories typically have smaller geographical areas, lower populations, strategic locations, or unique historical backgrounds that make central administration more practical than statehood.

Also Reads: Indian States and Their Capitals 2025

How Many Union Territories in India 2025

As of 2025, India has 8 Union Territories. The current list reflects significant changes in recent years, including the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir in 2019 and the merger of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu in 2020.

The current Union Territories of India are:

1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
2. Chandigarh
3. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
4. Lakshadweep
5. Delhi (National Capital Territory)
6. Puducherry
7. Jammu & Kashmir
8. Ladakh

Union Territories of India List 2025 with Capitals

Here’s the updated list of Union territories in India and their respective capitals as of 2025:

Union Territories Types

Different types of UTs in India:

• UTs with Legislature have an elected assembly, Chief Minister, and Council of Ministers, but their powers are limited by the Constitution.
• UTs without Legislature are directly administered by the Central Government through an appointed Administrator or Lieutenant Governor.

Most Populated Union Territory of India

As per the latest available data from the 2011 Census:

• Delhi (National Capital Territory) is the most populous Union Territory, with a population of 16,787,941.

Image: Maps of India

• The next most populous is Jammu & Kashmir with around 12,267,013 people.

Image: Maps of India

The population distribution of other UTs is as follows:

Union Territories of India Constitutional Status

Union territories are governed under Articles 239 to 241 of the Constitution of India. The key provisions are:

• Article 239: All UTs are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him.
• Article 239A: Provides for the creation of legislatures and Councils of Ministers for certain UTs.
• Article 239AA: Special provision for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, outlining the structure of its legislature and executive.

Parliament holds the authority to legislate for Union territories on matters from the Union and Concurrent Lists. For UTs with legislatures, laws are made both by their legislative assemblies and by Parliament.

Why are Union Territories Created in India?

Union territories in India have been created for several practical, strategic, and historical reasons:

• Small Size or Population: Regions with small land areas or low populations, like Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, are directly managed by the Centre to avoid the administrative burden of a full-fledged state.
• Geographical Isolation: Remote regions like Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, being far from the mainland, are easier to administer centrally.
• Unique Historical Background: Former foreign colonies such as Puducherry (French) and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu (Portuguese) retained distinct cultural identities, making them Union territories post-merger with India.
• Strategic Importance: Regions of national importance, such as Delhi (the national capital) and border areas like Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, are administered centrally for national security and better control.

This classification allows the Union Government to directly manage these territories for efficiency, security, and uniform development.

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Union territories of India represent a distinctive administrative structure within the Indian federal framework. Unlike states, they are governed directly by the Union Government, with a few exceptions where limited legislative powers exist. Their creation has been guided by factors such as strategic location, cultural uniqueness, administrative convenience, and historical circumstances.

Union Territories of India FAQs