What Are The Differences Between A State And A Union Territory?

India is one of the largest democracies in the world. People of several religions and cultures coexist peacefully. However, it is difficult for an administrative body to supervise an entire nation. 

To facilitate administration and ensure a smooth functioning of the rules and regulations in every area, the country is divided into many states and union territories. 

But, what are these and how are they different from each other? This blog will answer all your questions as you continue reading and find out about the difference between state and union territory.

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What Is A State?

Just like the world is divided into different countries, a country is also divided into several states. A state has a separate government and formulates its own laws. 

The Chief Minister and the Legislative Assembly are at the forefront of the State government and are elected by the public. 

However, there is also a Governor of a State who acts as the representative of the President of the country. 

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Definition And History Of Union Territories

Do you know what is the meaning of union territory? Let us find out! While a state has a separate government, a union territory is directly governed by the Central Government. A Governor or Administrator is appointed by the Central to oversee the proceedings of a union territory. 

Moreover, a union territory cannot make its own laws. Instead, any laws implemented there need to be approved by the President first. 

However, the formation of union territories did not occur until 1956 during a discussion about the reorganization of the states of India. 

The States Reorganization Committee concluded that certain areas neither fit the demography of a state nor follow a similar government structure. 

These areas will be unable to thrive without the intervention of the Central Government due to their unstable economy and political situation. Keeping this in mind, the union territories were formed in India.

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9 Differences Between A State And A Union Territory

How are union territories different from states? Read on to find out 9 differences between them!

Names Of All The States And Union Territories Of India

Names Of 28 States:

1: Assam

2: Andhra Pradesh

3: Arunachal Pradesh

4: Bihar

5: Chhattisgarh

6: Goa

7: Gujarat

8: Haryana

9: Himachal Pradesh

10: Jharkhand

11: Karnataka

12: Kerala

13: Maharashtra

14: Madhya Pradesh

15: Manipur

16: Meghalaya

17: Mizoram

18: Nagaland

19: Odisha

20: Punjab

21: Rajasthan

22: Sikkim

23: Tamil Nadu

24: Telangana

25: Tripura

26: Uttar Pradesh

27: Uttarakhand

28: West Bengal

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Names Of 8 Union Territories

1: Andaman and Nicobar islands

2: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

3: Chandigarh

4: Lakshadweep

5: Puducherry

6: Delhi

7: Ladakh

8: Jammu and Kashmir

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How Are Delhi, Puducherry, And Jammu And Kashmir Different From Other Union Territories?

Among the 8 union territories of India, 3 of them have more powers than the rest. The government system of Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir is the same as that of a state in the country. 

The Constitution of India has granted these union territories a special amendment of partial statehood. 

This allows them to elect a Chief Minister, have a legislative assembly and executive council, and formulate their own laws and implement them without any intervention from the Central Government.

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Conclusion

Thus, the difference between states and union territories is manifold. While states are completely independent, elect their Government, and put their laws into effect; union territories do not possess any authority to make their own laws. 

Instead, they are under the authority of the President of India who appoints a Governor to oversee the administration of each union territory. 

However, Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir have their own Government systems despite being union territories due to a special amendment granted by the Central Government.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: By whom are the union territories governed?

Ans: The union territories fall directly under the administration of the President of India. She chooses an administrator for every region through whom every rule is affected. However, the President can also appoint a governor of a neighbouring state as the administrator of a union territory.

Q2: Is Jammu and Kashmir no longer a state?

Ans: While Jammu and Kashmir was initially considered a state, India dissolved this status and turned them into two union territories.

Q3: What led to the division of India into states and territories?

Ans: India ranks 7th as the largest country and 2nd with the highest population. Since a single administrative body cannot manage the entire country, it is divided into states and union territories. Chief ministers, governors, and administrators are appointed to manage the different states and union territories.