Union Territories of India: New Union Territories, Capitals & Chief Ministers

Following the abolition of Article 370 on January 26,2020, there are 28 states and 8 union territories in India. Check the list of new union territories of India along with their capitals.

By Mohit ChauhanUpdated : July 3, 2020 , 11:15 IST
Union Territories of India: New Union Territories, Capitals & Chief Ministers

India is the seventh-largest country in the world in terms of the geographical area and comprises 28 states and 8 union territories. The central government is responsible to look after the functioning and administration of union territories of India

Before October 31, 2019, there were 29 states and 7 union territories. Below are some of the recent changes that you will notice in the political map of India. 

  • Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh became 8th and 9th union territories of India respectively, following the abolition of Article 370. 
  • The most recent development was observed on January 26, 2020, when two union territories Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli merged into a single entity.  

Having learnt the changes induced in the list of union territories of India, let us familiarise ourselves with the names of all 8 UTs of India and their capitals. 

What is a Union Territory?

A union territory is a federal territory which is governed and administered by the central government of India. Currently, there are 8 union territories- 

  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • Chandigarh
  • Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli
  • Delhi
  • Jammu and Kashmir
  • Ladakh 
  • Lakshadweep
  • Puducherry 

Due to the recent developments, some people lost the count of union territories in India. Did you know? There were 9 union territories of India in total between October 31, 2019, and January 26, 2020. As indicated above, the inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh increased the count to 9 after the abolition of Article 370. Almost three months later, two union territories Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli merged into a single unit bringing the count down to 8. 

8 Union Territories of India and their Capitals

Proceeding further, let us now learn the capitals of union territories of India. Know about the land area occupied by each UT and date of recognition as a union territory through the tabular data below. 

Union Territory

Capital

Details

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Port Blair

A group of islands in southern India got recognition as a UT on November 1, 1956. 

Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Located in North India, this region occupies an area of 114 km2. Chandigarh became a union territory on November 1, 1966. 

Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Daman

Following the merger of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the capital of the UT is Daman. It occupies an overall area of 603 km2

Delhi

New Delhi

Located in North India, it occupies a total area of 1,484 km2. Delhi was recognised as a union territory in 1956. 

Ladakh

Leh, Kargil

After the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in October 2019, Ladakh became a union territory. 

Lakshadweep

Kavaratti

Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory of India in terms of geographical area. It was established as a UT in November 1956. 

Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar (Summer Capital)
Jammu (Winter Capital)

This northern-most state spans an area of 42,241 km2. J & K became a UT after the abolition of Article 370 in October 2019. 

Puducherry

Puducherry

Situated in South India, Puducherry occupies an area of 483 km2. It was recognised as a UT on November 1, 1954. 

Chief Ministers of Union Territories

Below is the list of CMs of union territories of India. Note that only 3 union territories have chief ministers whereas the remaining UTs have administrators and Lt. Governors. 

Union Territory

Chief Minister

Governor/ Administrator

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

-

Devendra Kumar Joshi
(Lt. Governor)

Chandigarh

-

VP Singh Badnore (Admin)

Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli

-

Praful Khoda Patel (Admin)

Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal

Anil Baijal (Lt. Governor)

Ladakh

-

RK Mathur (Lt. Governor)

Lakshadweep

-

Dineshwar Sharma (Admin)

Jammu & Kashmir

*Vacant

GC Murmu (Lt. Governor)

Puducherry

V. Narayanasamy

Kiran Bedi (Lt. Governor)

Having read this article, you now know how many union territories are there in India. Students can anticipate questions related to new union territories of India and their capitals in any entrance exam involving the general aptitude section. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many union territories are there in India as of 2020?

    As of 2020, there are 8 union territories- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

  • Name the new union territories of India?

    Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were added to the list of union territories of India on October 31, 2019, after the abolition of Article 370.

  • Which is the largest union territory of India?

    Currently, Ladakh is the largest union territory of India. The total area occupied by Ladakh is 59,146 km square.

  • What is the capital of Daman and Diu?

    Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli is now a single entity. The capital of the merger is Daman.

  • What is the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli?

    Formerly the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was Silvassa. However, the merger of Dadra and Nagar Haveli with Daman and Diu had resulted in a single unit. The capital of this merger is Daman.

  • Is Goa a union territory?

    No, Goa was never included in the list of union territories of India.

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Class 10thSocial Science

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Mohit Chauhan
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Mohit Chauhan

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