India has a total of 8 Union Territories that come under the direct administration of the Central Government. These territories vary widely in geography, governance, and culture. Some have their own legislatures and Chief Ministers, while others are governed entirely by Administrators or Lieutenant Governors appointed by the President of India. In this section, we will explain each Union Territory of India in detail, focusing on its location, administration, economy, and cultural highlights.
List of Union Territories of India
| Rank | Union Territory | Capital | Year Formed | Legislature | Major Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Sri Vijaya Puram | 1956 | No | Islands, eco-tourism, volcano |
| 2 | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 1966 | No | Shared capital, modern architecture |
| 3 | Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Daman | 2020 | No | Coastal zone, Portuguese heritage |
| 4 | Delhi (NCT) | Delhi | 1956 | Yes | National capital, urban hub |
| 5 | Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar/Jammu | 2019 | Yes | Himalayas, tourism |
| 6 | Ladakh | Leh | 2019 | No | Cold desert, monasteries |
| 7 | Lakshadweep | Kavaratti | 1956 | No | Coral islands, fishing |
| 8 | Puducherry | Puducherry | 1962 | Yes | French heritage, education |
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of beautiful islands located in the Bay of Bengal. Known for their pristine beaches and tropical climate, these islands hold great strategic and ecological importance for India. The region has recently gained attention after the renaming of its capital from Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024.
Key Highlights of Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
- Capital: Sri Vijaya Puram (earlier Port Blair)
- Administrator: Admiral D. K. Joshi (Retd.) – Lieutenant Governor
- Formed in: 1956
- Major Features: 572 islands, out of which only 38 are inhabited
- Famous For: Cellular Jail, Radhanagar Beach, Indira Point (southernmost tip of India)
- Economy: Tourism, fisheries, coconut farming
- Languages: Hindi, English
2. Chandigarh
Chandigarh is the first planned city of India and serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Designed by Le Corbusier, the city is known for its excellent urban planning and greenery. It stands as one of the most developed and cleanest Union Territories in India.
Key Highlights of Chandigarh:
- Capital: Chandigarh
- Administrator: Governor of Punjab (currently acts as Administrator)
- Formed in: 1966
- Famous For: Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, and modern architecture
- Economy: Administration, real estate, education, and IT services
- Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi
3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
This Union Territory was created on January 26, 2020, after merging the former UTs of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. Located along India’s western coast, this region has a mix of cultural heritage, industrial zones, and tourist attractions.
Key Highlights of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu:
- Capital: Daman
- Administrator: Praful Khoda Patel
- Formed in: 2020 (merger of two UTs)
- Famous For: Portuguese forts, beaches, churches
- Economy: Industries, tourism, and fishing
- Languages: Gujarati, Hindi, English
4. Delhi (National Capital Territory)
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is the political heart of India. It is home to all major government offices, including the Parliament and the President’s residence. Delhi also enjoys partial statehood with a legislative assembly under Article 239AA.
Key Highlights of Delhi:
- Capital: Delhi
- Lieutenant Governor: Vinai Kumar Saxena
- Has Legislature: Yes (headed by a Chief Minister)
- Famous For: Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Economy: Services, trade, manufacturing, and IT
- Languages: Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi
5. Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory on October 31, 2019, after the reorganization of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. It has two capitals, Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter). The region is known for its natural beauty, tourism, and cultural diversity.
Key Highlights of J&K:
- Capitals: Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
- Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
- Has Legislature: Yes
- Formed in: 2019
- Famous For: Dal Lake, Vaishno Devi Temple, Gulmarg
- Economy: Tourism, horticulture, handicrafts
- Languages: Urdu, Hindi, English, Kashmiri, Dogri
6. Ladakh
Ladakh, carved out from Jammu & Kashmir in 2019, is India’s largest Union Territory by area but one of the least populated. Known as the “Land of High Passes,” Ladakh is famous for its mountains, monasteries, and cold desert landscape.
Key Highlights of Ladakh:
- Capital: Leh
- Lieutenant Governor: Kavinder Gupta
- Has Legislature: No
- Formed in: 2019
- Famous For: Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Hemis Monastery
- Economy: Tourism, handloom, animal husbandry
- Languages: Ladakhi, Hindi, English
7. Lakshadweep
The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 36 small coral islands in the Arabian Sea. It is the smallest Union Territory in India by both area and population. The islands are known for their scenic beauty, lagoons, and marine biodiversity.
Key Highlights of Lakshadweep:
- Capital: Kavaratti
- Administrator: Administrator (appointed by President)
- Formed in: 1956
- Famous For: Water sports, coral reefs, pristine beaches
- Economy: Fishing, coconut cultivation, tourism
- Languages: Malayalam, English
8. Puducherry
Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, was once a French colony and became a Union Territory in 1962. It consists of four non-contiguous districts, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, spread across southern India. The city retains strong French cultural and architectural influences.
Key Highlights of Puducherry:
- Capital: Puducherry
- Lieutenant Governor: K. Kailashnathan
- Has Legislature: Yes (with Chief Minister)
- Formed in: 1962
- Famous For: Auroville, French Quarter, beaches, spiritual centers
- Economy: Tourism, education, small-scale industries
- Languages: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, French, English
FAQs About Union Territories of India
Q1. How many Union Territories are there in India in 2025?
There are a total of 8 Union Territories in India as of 2025.
Q2. Which is the largest Union Territory of India?
Ladakh is the largest Union Territory by area.
Q3. Which is the smallest Union Territory of India?
Lakshadweep is the smallest Union Territory in both area and population.
Q4. Which Union Territories have legislative assemblies?
Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry have their own legislative assemblies.
Q5. What is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Sri Vijaya Puram, renamed from Port Blair in 2024.
Q6. When was Jammu and Kashmir reorganized as a Union Territory?
Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory on October 31, 2019.
Q7. What is the capital of Lakshadweep?
The capital of Lakshadweep is Kavaratti.
Q8. Which Union Territory is known for French culture?
Puducherry is famous for its French heritage, architecture, and lifestyle.
Q9. When were Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu merged?
They were merged into a single Union Territory on January 26, 2020.
Q10. Which Union Territory serves as the capital for two states?
Chandigarh serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana.