Creation of Union Territories

During the British Rule, certain areas were constituted as ‘scheduled districts’ in 1874. Later, they came to be known as ‘chief commissioners provinces’. After independence, they were placed in the category of Part ‘C’ and Part ‘D’ states. In 1956, they were constituted as the ‘union territories’ by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act (1956) and the States Reorganisation Act (1956). Gradually, some of these union territories have been elevated to statehood. Thus, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa, which are states today were formerly union territories. On the other hand, the territories that were acquired from the Portuguese (Goa, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli) and the French (Puducherry) were constituted as the union territories.
      At present, there are seven Union Territories. They are (along with the year of creation): (1) Andaman and Nicobar Islands—1956, (2) Delhi—1956, (3) Lakshadweep—1956, (4) Dadra and Nagar Haveli—1961, (5) Daman and Diu—1962, (6) Puducherry—1962, and (7) Chandigarh—1966. Till 1973, Lakshadweep was known by the name of Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands. In 1992, Delhi was redesignated as the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Till 2006, Puducherry was known as Pondicherry.
    The union territories have been created for a variety of reasons. These are mentioned below:

1. Political and administrative consideration—Delhi and Chandigarh.
2. Cultural distinctiveness—Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
3. Strategic importance—Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
4. Special treatment and care of the backward and tribal people—Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh which later became states.