India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UTs). Union Territories are directly governed by the Central Government (unlike states which have their own elected governments). Some UTs like Delhi and Puducherry have partial statehood with their own elected legislatures.
India has 8 Union Territories (as of 2024).
J&K and Ladakh became UTs on 31 October 2019.
Dadra-Nagar Haveli and Daman-Diu merged into one UT in 2020.
Delhi and Puducherry have their own legislatures (partial statehood).
Ladakh has no legislature — directly governed by Central Govt.
Chandigarh is the only UT that serves as capital of two states: Punjab and Haryana.
Goa was a UT before 1987; became a full state in 1987 — common trick in exams.
Union Territory → Capital / Administrative HQ:
Note: There are currently 8 UTs, down from earlier counts because of mergers and reorganization.
UTs with their own Legislatures (partial statehood): • Delhi (NCT) — has Legislative Assembly • Puducherry — has Legislative Assembly • Jammu and Kashmir — has Legislative Assembly (restored)
UTs without Legislature (directly governed by LG/Administrator): • Ladakh, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
The following are STATES of India, not Union Territories: • Goa — State (became a full state in 1987; before that it was a UT) • Sikkim — State (merged with India in 1975) • Maharashtra — State • Gujarat — State • Haryana — State (though Chandigarh, a UT, serves as its capital)
Tip for exams: If a question asks 'which of the following is NOT a union territory?' — look for a fully-fledged state like Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, or Punjab among the options. Goa is the most commonly used trick option because it was a UT until 1987.
Difference Between State and Union Territory:
| Feature | State | Union Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Elected state government | Central government (through LG/Administrator) |
| Legislature | Yes (Vidhan Sabha) | Only some (Delhi, Puducherry, J&K) |
| Chief Minister | Yes | Only in UTs with legislature |
| Article | Article 153–162 | Article 239–242 |
States like Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Kerala are NOT union territories — they are fully-fledged states. The 8 Union Territories of India are: Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
States have their own elected governments and legislatures; UTs are governed directly by the Central Government through a Lieutenant Governor or Administrator. Some UTs (Delhi, Puducherry, J&K) have partial statehood with elected legislatures. Most UTs are directly under central rule.
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