India currently has 8 Union Territories (as of 2020). The number changed in recent years: in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories (J&K and Ladakh), temporarily making 9 UTs. In January 2020, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one UT, bringing the count to 8. India's states and UTs differ in governance — Union Territories are administered directly or partially by the Central Government of India.
India currently has 8 Union Territories (as of 2020).
There was a brief period (Oct 2019–Jan 2020) with 9 UTs, which is why the '9 UT' query is common.
UTs with legislatures: Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry.
Largest UT by area: Ladakh (~59,000 km²).
Smallest UT by area: Lakshadweep (32 km²).
Largest UT by population: Delhi (~20 million).
J&K and Ladakh became UTs in 2019 after the J&K Reorganisation Act.
Dadra & NH and Daman & Diu merged into one UT on January 26, 2020.
Union Territory | Capital/HQ | Legislature?
Note on governance: • Delhi, J&K, and Puducherry have their own elected legislatures and Chief Ministers but remain Union Territories administered by a Lieutenant Governor (LG) / Administrator • The remaining 5 UTs (Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra & NH and DD, Ladakh, Lakshadweep) are governed directly by an Administrator/LG appointed by the President of India
Timeline of UTs in India:
Before October 31, 2019: • 29 States + 7 Union Territories
After October 31, 2019 (J&K Reorganisation): • Jammu and Kashmir (state) was split into: — Jammu and Kashmir (UT with legislature) — Ladakh (UT without legislature) • Count: 28 States + 9 Union Territories
After January 26, 2020 (D&NH–DD Merger): • Dadra and Nagar Haveli (UT) and Daman and Diu (UT) were merged into: — Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (single UT) • Count: 28 States + 8 Union Territories
Current count (as of 2020 onwards): • 28 States + 8 Union Territories
Why people search '9 union territories': The 9-UT period existed from October 31, 2019 to January 26, 2020 — a brief window of about 3 months. Textbooks from that period may list 9 UTs.
Delhi (NCT) — National Capital Territory • Largest UT by population (~20 million) • Has its own legislature and Chief Minister • Special status under Article 239AA
Puducherry • Former French colony • Has four enclaves: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahé, Yanam • Has a legislature (Legislative Assembly)
Jammu and Kashmir • Reorganised from a state in 2019 (J&K Reorganisation Act) • Has legislature (J&K Legislative Assembly)
Ladakh • India's newest UT (formed in 2019) • Largest UT by area (~59,000 km²) • No legislature — governed by LG with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils
Andaman and Nicobar Islands • 572 islands; only 37 inhabited • Strategic location — close to Strait of Malacca
Chandigarh • Shared capital of Punjab and Haryana (both states) • Designed by Le Corbusier
Lakshadweep • Smallest UT by area (32 km²) • Smallest UT by population • Only Muslim-majority UT
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu • Formed by merger of two former Portuguese territories • Merged on January 26, 2020
India currently has 8 Union Territories (as of January 2020). The 8 UTs are: Delhi (NCT), Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The count temporarily reached 9 after October 2019 but came back to 8 after the merger of two UTs in January 2020.
Between October 31, 2019 and January 26, 2020, India had 9 Union Territories. This happened because: (1) J&K was split into J&K UT and Ladakh UT in October 2019; (2) Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu merged into one UT in January 2020, reducing the count from 9 back to 8. Books published or updated during Oct 2019–Jan 2020 show 9 UTs.
Three Union Territories have their own elected legislatures: (1) Delhi (National Capital Territory) — has a Legislative Assembly; (2) Puducherry — has a Legislative Assembly; (3) Jammu and Kashmir — has a Legislative Assembly. The remaining 5 UTs (Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra & NH and DD, Ladakh, Lakshadweep) are governed directly by the Central Government through an Administrator.
States have their own elected governments (Chief Minister + Council of Ministers + Governor) with significant legislative powers under the Constitution. Union Territories are administered by the Central Government — governed by a Lieutenant Governor or Administrator appointed by the President. Some UTs (Delhi, J&K, Puducherry) have elected legislatures but remain under central administration.
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