{"id":3612,"date":"2025-06-11T23:24:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T17:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/?p=3612"},"modified":"2025-10-18T13:14:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T07:44:27","slug":"union-territories-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Territories of India List 2025 With Capitals, Area &#038; Population"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<label class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/label>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Union_Territories_of_India_Overview\" >Union Territories of India Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#How_Many_Union_Territories_in_India_2025\" >How Many Union Territories in India 2025<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Union_Territories_of_India_List_2025_with_Capitals\" >Union Territories of India List 2025 with Capitals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Union_Territories_Types\" >Union Territories Types<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Most_Populated_Union_Territory_of_India\" >Most Populated Union Territory of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Union_Territories_of_India_Constitutional_Status\" >Union Territories of India Constitutional Status<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Why_are_Union_Territories_Created_in_India\" >Why are Union Territories Created in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/union-territories-of-india\/#Union_Territories_of_India_FAQs\" >Union Territories of India FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of 2025, India has <\/span><b>8 Union territories<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Jammu &amp; 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Union_Territories_of_India_Overview\"><\/span><b>Union Territories of India Overview<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, Union territories can have legislatures with limited law-making authority. Currently, only Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu &amp; Kashmir have this provision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union territories typically have smaller geographical areas, lower populations, strategic locations, or unique historical backgrounds that make central administration more practical than statehood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3613\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111131.png?resize=300%2C227&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111131.png?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111131.png?w=444&amp;ssl=1 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Also Reads: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-states-and-their-capitals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Indian States and Their Capitals 2025<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Many_Union_Territories_in_India_2025\"><\/span><b>How Many Union Territories in India 2025<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of 2025, India has <\/span><b>8 Union Territories<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The current list reflects significant changes in recent years, including the reorganization of Jammu &amp; Kashmir in 2019 and the merger of Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli and Daman &amp; Diu in 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current Union Territories of India are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandigarh<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli and Daman &amp; Diu<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lakshadweep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delhi (National Capital Territory)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puducherry<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ladakh<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Union_Territories_of_India_List_2025_with_Capitals\"><\/span><b>Union Territories of India List 2025 with Capitals<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s the updated list of Union territories in India and their respective capitals as of 2025:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Union Territory<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Capital(s)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port Blair<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Chandigarh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandigarh<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli and Daman &amp; Diu<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daman<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Lakshadweep<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kavaratti<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Delhi (National Capital Territory)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Delhi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Puducherry<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puducherry<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Ladakh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leh (Summer), Kargil (Winter)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Union_Territories_Types\"><\/span><b>Union Territories Types<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different types of UTs in India:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Category<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Details<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>First UT of India<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andaman and Nicobar Islands (designated as a UT after Independence, officially recognized under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 along with Delhi and Lakshadweep).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Largest UT by Area<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ladakh (59,146 sq. km)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Smallest UT by Area<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lakshadweep (32 sq. km)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>UTs with Legislature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Delhi (National Capital Territory of Delhi)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 2. Puducherry<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 3. Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>UTs without Legislature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 2. Chandigarh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 3. Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli and Daman &amp; Diu<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 4. Lakshadweep<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 5. Ladakh<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>UTs with Legislature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have an elected assembly, Chief Minister, and Council of Ministers, but their powers are limited by the Constitution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>UTs without Legislature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are directly administered by the Central Government through an appointed Administrator or Lieutenant Governor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-5575\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-107-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-5575 ml-slider has-dots-nav ms-theme-default-base\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"New Slideshow\" data-height=\"300\" data-width=\"700\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_5575\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_5575\">\n            <ul aria-live='off' class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5579 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"400-X-180cdr-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/mains\/upsc-qep-2026-batch-5-english\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/400-X-180cdr-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5579 msDefaultImage\" title=\"400 X 180cdr\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5580 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"pocket-notes-website-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/qep-pocket-notes-2.0\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pocket-notes-website-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5580 msDefaultImage\" title=\"pocket-notes-website-400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5581 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/toppers-handwritten-upsc-pyq-4-books\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5581 msDefaultImage\" title=\"web site banner toppers book. 400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Most_Populated_Union_Territory_of_India\"><\/span><b>Most Populated Union Territory of India<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per the latest available data from the 2011 Census:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delhi (National Capital Territory)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the most populous Union Territory, with a population of <\/span><b>16,787,941<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3614\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111504.png?resize=214%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111504.png?resize=214%2C300&amp;ssl=1 214w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111504.png?w=345&amp;ssl=1 345w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image: Maps of India<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next most populous is <\/span><b>Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with around <\/span><b>12,267,013<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> people.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3619\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111510-1.png?resize=300%2C241&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111510-1.png?resize=300%2C241&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-06-111510-1.png?w=397&amp;ssl=1 397w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Image: Maps of India<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The population distribution of other UTs is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Union Territory<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Population (2011 Census)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Delhi (NCT)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16,787,941<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12,267,013<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Puducherry<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,247,953<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Chandigarh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,055,450<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">380,581<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Ladakh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">274,289<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Lakshadweep<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">64,473<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Union_Territories_of_India_Constitutional_Status\"><\/span><b>Union Territories of India Constitutional Status<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union territories are governed under <\/span><b>Articles 239 to 241<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution of India. The key provisions are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 239:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All UTs are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 239A:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Provides for the creation of legislatures and Councils of Ministers for certain UTs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 239AA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Special provision for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, outlining the structure of its legislature and executive.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_Union_Territories_Created_in_India\"><\/span><b>Why are Union Territories Created in India?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union territories in India have been created for several practical, strategic, and historical reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Small Size or Population:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Regions with small land areas or low populations, like Lakshadweep and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, are directly managed by the Centre to avoid the administrative burden of a full-fledged state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Geographical Isolation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Remote regions like Lakshadweep and Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, being far from the mainland, are easier to administer centrally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Unique Historical Background:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Former foreign colonies such as Puducherry (French) and Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli, Daman &amp; Diu (Portuguese) retained distinct cultural identities, making them Union territories post-merger with India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strategic Importance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Regions of national importance, such as Delhi (the national capital) and border areas like Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh, are administered centrally for national security and better control.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This classification allows the Union Government to directly manage these territories for efficiency, security, and uniform development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Are you preparing for UPSC 2025?<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/prelims\/prelims-samadhaan-mentorship-2025?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=home_page&amp;utm_campaign=course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <b>Join IAShub&#8217;s UPSC coaching batches<\/b><\/a><b> to boost your preparation. Enroll now!<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Union_Territories_of_India_FAQs\"><\/span><b>Union Territories of India FAQs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<style>#sp-ea-3621 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-3621.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-3621.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-3621.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-3621.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-3621.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  padding: 7px;\r\n  background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  margin-right: 0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single{\r\n background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.ea-expand a{\r\n  background: #cfe2ff !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion{\r\n  margin-bottom: 1rem;\r\n  margin-top: 1rem;\r\n}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1749192580\"><div id=\"sp-ea-3621\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card ea-expand sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-36210\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse36210\" aria-controls=\"collapse36210\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-minus\"><\/i> What are Union Territories of India?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse collapsed show\" id=\"collapse36210\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3621\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-36210\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Union Territories of India are special administrative regions governed directly by the Central Government of India. Unlike states, they do not possess the same degree of legislative autonomy, except for a few UTs granted limited powers by the Constitution.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-36211\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse36211\" aria-controls=\"collapse36211\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How many Union Territories are there in India in 2025?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse36211\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3621\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-36211\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As of 2025, there are 8 Union Territories in India. This number was revised after the reorganization of Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019, bringing the total from 7 to 8.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-36212\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse36212\" aria-controls=\"collapse36212\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Which is the largest and smallest Union Territory of India by area?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse36212\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3621\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-36212\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Ladakh is the largest Union Territory in India by area, covering about 59,146 square kilometers. Lakshadweep, an island group in the Arabian Sea, is the smallest Union Territory with an area of just 32 square kilometers.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-36213\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse36213\" aria-controls=\"collapse36213\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Which Union Territories of India have their own legislature?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse36213\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3621\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-36213\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Currently, Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu &amp; Kashmir are the only Union Territories with their own legislative assemblies. These UTs enjoy partial state-like governance under the framework of the Indian Constitution.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-36214\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse36214\" aria-controls=\"collapse36214\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Which is the most populated Union Territory of India as per the latest census?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse36214\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3621\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-36214\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0According to the 2011 Census, Delhi holds the position of the most populated Union Territory in India, with a population exceeding 1.67 crore. It continues to be the most densely populated UT in the country.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the Updated Union Territories of India List 2025 with Capitals. Learn About Their Constitutional Status, Governance, Types, Area, Population, and Key Facts. Useful for UPSC and Competitive Exams. Check the Complete UTs List and Details Here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3731,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3612"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6076,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3612\/revisions\/6076"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}