Union Territories Of India: Know Everything about UTs
What are Union Territories?
Union Territories (UTs) are federal territories and are administered by the Union Government of India. They are also known as centrally administered territories. In the Union Territories, Lieutenant Governors (LGs) are appointed by the President of India. The LGs serve as the UT administrators.
Background:
- The UTs were introduced in the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. The concept of the UT was added by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956.
India currently has 8 Union Territories (UTs) – Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
- In 2019, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed by the Indian Parliament and it reconstituted the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — UT of Jammu and Kashmir and UT of Ladakh. Read more on the former status of Jammu & Kashmir in the link.
- In 2020, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu were merged into a single Union Territory known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
| Union Territory | Capital |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | Daman |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) |
| Ladakh | Leh (summer), Kargil (winter) |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
Andaman and Nicobar– It is a union territory of India and is located in the Indian Ocean. The first habit inhabitants of Andaman Island were Andamanese. The Andaman and Nicobar was found in the year 1956 on first November. There are total number of three districts in Andaman and Nicobar Island. The capital of Andaman and Nicobar Island is Port Blair. Andaman and nicobar’s existence was first reported in 19th century by Arab merchant who sailed past them on their way towards straits of Sumatra. The official language of Andaman and Nicobar is Nicobar, however Hindi Bengali Tamil Telugu and English are also used here. Andaman and Nicobar is one of the most visited to resume places it is famous for his exotic sea beach is bordered by coconut and palm trees and the translucent Blue water.
Chandigarh capital of two States Punjab and Haryana. It is located near the Shivalik range of Himalayas in the Northwest of India. It shares its borders with Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh is one of the earliest plant cities post independent and internationally it is known for its architecture and urban design. Chandigarh has one of the highest per capita incomes. Chandigarh is the only union territory that has the highest human development index. People of Chandigarh speak English Hindi and Punjabi. Chandigarh is a union territory and their four the state level elections are not entitled here.
Dadra Nagar haveli and Daman and Diu it is located in the western part of India it is composed of four different geographical divisions. Daman and Diu are situated bordering Gujarat and the Dadar and Nagar haveli shares border with Gujarat and Maharashtra. Until January 2020 Daman and Diu and Dadar and Nagar haveli what to separate union territories. January 2020 Dadar and Nagar haveli became one of the districts along with Daman and diu districts. By area this union territory is 33rd largest division of India. The economy of Dadar Nagar haveli and Daman and Diu is based on agriculture sector. About 60% of the economy depends on agriculture as a main source of income. The official languages spoken here are Marathi Hindi Gujarati and English. The capital city of this union territory is Daman. Total number of districts are three and administrative divisions are also 3.
Delhi is the capital of India and as well as a union territory of India. Delhi shares its border with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Delhi urban collection of satellite City includes Ghaziabad Gurgaon Faridabad and Noida, all these areas are all together known as national capital region or NCR. Delhi is the largest metropolitan area in India and the second largest in the world with population over 28 million. In human development index Delhi is the fifth among union territory. The ancient name of Delhi is indraprasth which means city of Indra in Sanskrit.
Jammu and Kashmir is located in the Northern part of India. Jammu and Kashmir was divided in between India and Pakistan after the Indo Pakistan war of 1947 to 1948. Jammu and Kashmir has the most Muslim majority population in India. Jammu and Kashmir was the only state in India which has special economy under article 370 by the constitution of India according to which no law is enacted by the parliament of India except for those in the field of defence, foreign policy and communication. The economy of Jammu and Kashmir depends on agriculture and tourism activities. The capital of Jammu and Kashmir is Srinagar.
Ladakh- Ladakh constitute a larger Kashmir and it has been a topic of dispute between India Pakistan and China since 1947. After the closure of cross roads for trade routes, the Government of India has encouraged tourism in Ladakh since 1974. Ladakh was established as a union territory in the year 2019 on 31st October. It is the largest and the second least populated union territory of India. Ladakh is on top of all the tourist places in India. Ladakh is known as heaven on earth because of its mesmerizing mountain ranges monasteries and snow covered lakes.
Lakshadweep- Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 Islands located off the Malabar coast. Lakshadweep in Malayalam means 1 lakh Islands. The official language of Lakshadweep is Malayalam. It is the smallest union territory of India with a total surface area of 32 km square. It forms only one Indian district with 10 subdivisions. Kavaratti is the capital of Lakshadweep.
Puducherry- also known as Pondicherry is the union territory of India consisting of 4 small geographically unconnected districts. Pondicherry has the area of 483 km square. The capital of Puducherry that is Puducherry was once the headquarters of the French in India. For 138 years the region of Puducherry was under control of French. Officially Puducherry became an integrated part of India in the year 1963.
FAQs on Union territory of India
Q1.Which are the 9 union territories of India?
Ans. There are total nine territories of India
• Andaman and Nicobar
• Delhi
• Ladakh
• Chandigarh
• Daman and Diu and Dadar and Nagar Haveli
• Delhi
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Lakshadweep
Q2. Are there 8 or 9 union territories?
A. In India there are 8 union territories and 28 states.
Q3. Which is the largest union territory?
A. Jammu and Kashmir is the largest union territory in India by area, it is of 125,535 km square.
World Veterinary Day 2022: 30th April
World Veterinary Day is observed on the last Saturday of April every year. This year it falls on 30th April 2022. World Veterinary Association was established with an objective to provide global leadership for the veterinary profession and promote animal health and welfare and public health through advocacy, education, and partnership.
Theme of World Veterinary Day 2022
The theme for World Veterinary Day 2022 is “Strengthening Veterinary Resilience”. This essentially means providing veterinary doctors with all kinds of help, and resources they require in their journey.
The main objective of the World Veterinary Association is to promote animal health & welfare and eradicate issues related to animal safety and the environment. Veterinarians play the role of advocates for animal health and welfare. Every year, World veterinary day is celebrated to praise the veterinarians for their work.
History of the day:
In 2001 World veterinary Association came up with World veterinary day. It all started with an international veterinary congress meeting led by a person named John Gamgee who was a veterinary college professor. This was the first international veterinary congress meeting which was held in 1863 in Hamburg Germany. This congress came to be addressed as World veterinary congress. Then in the 8th congress, a permanent committee was formed to create a link between these congresses. In the 15th congress which was held in Stockholm, the committee members realized to have an international organization and constitution. As a result of this meeting, in 1959 during the very next meeting held in Madrid, Spain the world witnessed the foundation of the World veterinary association.
World Bank approved $47 million program for India’s Mission Karmayogi program
The World Bank has approved a USD 47 million projects to support the Government of India’s Mission Karmayogi, a national program to build civil service capacity. There are nearly 18 million civil servants employed across India, with approximately two-thirds at the state government and local authority levels.
The Bank’s financing aims to support the Government’s objectives of enhancing the functional and behavioural competencies of approximately four million civil servants. It will focus on three components: the development and implementation of competency frameworks; the development of an integrated learning platform; and program monitoring, evaluation, and management.
There are nearly 18 million civil servants employed across India, with approximately two-thirds at the state government and local authority level. While India has steadily improved its performance over the past decade, through the implementation of Mission Karmayogi the Government aims to make the country’s civil service force more future-ready and capable of meeting twenty-first century challenges. This includes a focus on problem solving, collaboration across boundaries, strong communication and networking skills.
About the project:
- The Project is aligned with the India Country Partnership Framework (CPF) FY18-22 which includes strengthening public sector institutions as one of the four areas of engagement for the World Bank in India.
- The project is also aligned with the World Bank’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity, as building the capabilities of government officials to implement policy priorities and deliver effective services is critical to the achievement of these aims.
Bank of Baroda launched a new feature ‘bob World Gold’ for senior citizens
Bank of Baroda has launched “bob World Gold”, a new feature on its bob World mobile banking platform for seniors and the elderly. It is a unique digital banking platform that has been designed to provide its senior customers with a simple, smooth and secure mobile banking experience. This platform has easy navigation, large fonts, sufficient spacing and clear menus.
The idea behind bob World Gold was to look at every element from the lens of this demographic and understand their specific requirements from a digital banking platform.
Features of bob World Gold:
- Simple and Easy User Interface: A minimalistic design and simple infographics supported by easy-to-navigate screens and ready-to-assist voice-based search service, provided right on the dashboard.
- Customization: bob World Gold is customized to understand the preferences of senior citizen customers with relevant and favourite menu options.
- Preferential research-based service: bob World Gold is customized specifically for senior citizens (60 years and above) and provides a new revamped dashboard with larger icons and fonts, better-contrasting colours with special attention given to helping text, tooltips, and navigation.
Important points:
- Bank of Baroda Founded: 20 July 1908;
- Bank of Baroda Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat;
- Bank of Baroda Managing Director & CEO: Sanjiv Chadha;
- Bank of Baroda Tagline: India’s International Bank;
- Bank of Baroda Amalgamated Banks: Dena Bank & Vijaya Bank in 2019.
Maharashtra became India’s 1st state to develop Migration Tracking System app
Maharashtra became the first state in India to develop a website-based Migration Tracking System (MTS) application to track the movement of migrant workers through individual unique identity numbers. The MTS project aims to ensure the continuity of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for migrant beneficiaries, such as children under the age of 18, lactating mothers, and pregnant women who are registered with Anganwadi centres.
Migration workers will be tracked to ensure the portability of the ICDS for their families in their destination districts within or outside the state until their return to their native places. ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. It was launched in 1975.
Important points:
- Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai;
- Maharashtra Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari;
- Maharashtra Chief minister: Uddhav Thackeray.
Air Asia to merge by Tata Group with Air India 2022
The Tata Group has been attempting to improve Air India’s performance since its takeover in January 2022. That includes its on-time performance. The Tata’s most recent job is to consolidate their aviation operations. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has already been notified of Air India’s intention to merge with AirAsia India.
Tata Group-owned Air India has proposed to buy the entire equity share capital of low cost carrier AirAsia India, in which Tata has a majority stake, to merge into a single airline, according to a Reuters report based on an application with India's competition commission.
Key Points:
- In December 2020, Tata increased its stake in AirAsia India to 67 percent.
- AirAsia India, which began operating in June 2014, provides scheduled passenger, cargo, and charter flight services throughout the country.
- It does not operate on a global scale.
- In January of this year, Tata acquired Air India and Air India Express.
- Tatas emerged as the winning bidder for loss-making Air India in October 2021.
- It made a bid of Rs 18,000 crore, which included a cash payment of Rs 2,700 crore and the assumption of the carrier’s debt of Rs 15,300 crore.
- Vistara Airlines is also owned by the Tata group, although it has opted out of the merger plan so far.
- Singapore Airlines, a Vistara joint venture partner, is rumoured to be interested.
- Vistara Airlines is also owned by the Tata group, although it has opted out of the merger plan so far.
- Singapore Airlines, a joint venture partner in Vistara, may not want a stake in the combined Air India because it competes with the Indian carrier on foreign routes, according to sources.
- Tata Group, which includes Air India, Vistara, and AirAsia, has a combined market share of 9%, making it the second-largest domestic airline business behind IndiGo.
Regardless of how the relevant markets are defined, the airline claims that the Proposed Combination will neither transform the competitive environment or have a significant negative impact on competition in India.
Ardeshir B K Dubash honoured with highest diplomatic award by Peru Government
The former Honorary Consul of Peru in Mumbai, Ardeshir B.K. Dubash has received the Order of “Merit in the Diplomatic Service of Peru Jose Gregorio Paz Soldan” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru. Ambassador of Peru in India, H.E. Carlos R. Polo has conferred the award to him. Dubash was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru in 1973. The Order of Merit was instituted in 2004, named after José Gregorio Paz Soldán.
Dubash was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru on August 13th, 1973. His career as Honorary Consul, which spans almost half a century, has seen 14 Presidents of Peru and 15 Ambassadors of Peru to India.
About the award:
The Order of Merit, which was instituted in 2004, takes its name from Jose Gregorio Paz Soldan, a distinguished Peruvian official who established the Peruvian diplomatic service and who held the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs on three different occasions.
The award is normally reserved for career diplomats who have excelled in their work to promote the democratic, historical and institutional values of the Ministry, and who have made outstanding contributions to Peruvian foreign policy.
International Dance Day 2022 Observed on 29th April 2022
The International Dance Day is observed globally on 29 April every year. The day celebrates the value and importance of the dance and encourages participation and education in this art form through events and festivals. This day is also celebrated to promote the multiple benefits of dancing, to recognize dance as a stress reliever, expressing oneself, a way of celebrating happiness, and an activity that brings people together.
History of the day:
In 1982 the Dance Committee of ITI founded International Dance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th of April, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet. The intention of the International Dance Day Message is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and bring people together with a common language – dance.
New Space India Limited and OneWeb signed for satellite launches
One Web, a Bharti group company, and New Space India Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, have signed a satellite launch deal. The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, is expected to launch New Space in 2022.
Key Points:
- OneWeb’s whole in-orbit constellation of 428 satellites, or 66% of the intended total fleet, will be added to the global network to enable high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
- This launch contract follows a separate agreement announced in March 2022 between OneWeb and SpaceX to allow the firm to resume satellite launches.
- As demand for OneWeb’s broadband connectivity services continues to rise from a variety of sectors and markets, the firm has already activated service with its network above the 50th parallel and above.
- The upcoming launches will add to OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation of 428 satellites, accounting for 66% of the planned total fleet, in order to build a global network that will deliver high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband services to rural and remote areas around the world, including India.
- OneWeb is launching a global fleet of 648 low-earth-orbit satellites.
Important Takeaways:
- NSIL CMD Radhakrishnan Durairaj
- NSIL Director, Technical & Strategy: Arunachalam
- ISRO Chairman: Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
AAHAR 2022: Asia’s biggest international food and hospitality fair last day today
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in partnership with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) is hosting Asia’s largest international food and hospitality fair, AAHAR-2022, at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. More than 80 exporters from various agricultural product segments, including geographical indication products, processed food, organic, and frozen food products, will attend the event, according to the Commerce and Industry Ministry.
Key Points:
- APEDA has set aside stalls for exporters from the North East and Himalayan states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as women entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Organisations, Start-Ups, and millet exporters.
- The first day of the fair was April 26th, 2022.
- This fair will run till April 30th, 2022.
- The fair is now in its 36th year.
- This event will provide visitors and participants with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop new business leads.
- This fair will also aid in the efficient and successful marketing of the country’s dynamic rising market.
AAHAR Products to Explore:
- This event will bring together around 80 exporters from various sectors of the country’s agricultural products.
- Organic, processed, and frozen food goods, as well as geographical indication products, are among the sectors.
AAHAR Guest List:
- Exporters from the country’s North-East region, as well as Himalayan states such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, have dedicated stalls set up by APEDA.
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), women entrepreneurs, millet exporters, and start-ups, among others, are among the participants.
BRO’s Atal Tunnel Receives ‘Best Infrastructure Project’ Award
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Engineering Marvel Atal Tunnel built in Rohtang of Himachal Pradesh received Indian Building Congress (IBC) ‘Best Infrastructure Project’ award on April 28, 2022, in New Delhi. More than thirty state-of-the-art infrastructure projects were nominated for the award. The IBC jury selected the strategic tunnel as the ‘Best Project for Excellence in Built Environment’ in 2021.
About the Atal Tunnel
- The tunnel, built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister NarendraModi on October 3, 2020.
- It is equipped with a semi-transverse ventilation system, where large fans separately circulate air throughout the tunnel. For evacuation during emergencies, an emergency tunnel has been integrated into the tunnel cross-section beneath the main carriageway.
- Fires inside the tunnel will be controlled within an area of 200 meters, and fire hydrants are provided at specific locations throughout the tunnel.
- Pollution sensors continuously monitor the air quality in the tunnel, and if the air quality is below the desired level, fresh air is injected into the tunnel via two heavy-duty fans on each side of the tunnel.
Emmanuel Macron is elected as French President for another term
Emmanuel Macron hopes to go right back to work on domestic and foreign policy after gaining another five years in the French presidential palace — but he will soon face vital parliamentary elections in which he may struggle to maintain his majority. The official results of the presidential election will be released by the Constitutional Council, and Macron will hold a Cabinet meeting.
The inauguration will happen by May 13
France’s Constitutional Council will publish the official results of the presidential election (in which Macron convincingly defeated his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen) on Wednesday (April 27). On the same day, Macron will hold a meeting of his Cabinet.
KEY POINTS:
- Macron must then choose a date for his inauguration event at the Elysee Palace, which must take place by May 13. He will be honoured by the National Guard and give a speech.
- Presidents Francois Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac both eschewed the practise of firing 21 cannon shots to mark their reelections in 1988 and 2002, respectively.
- Macron is the only other modern French president to gain re-election to a second term.
- Macron announced his plans to travel to Berlin five years ago, following the custom of newly elected French presidents making their first trip abroad to neighbouring Germany to mark the countries’ alliance following many wars.
- He’ll meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with the goal of ending the conflict in Ukraine at the top of the agenda.
- Within hours following his triumph, Macron spoke with both Zelenskyy and
Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:
- Chancellor of Germany: Olaf Scholz
Film and TV actor Salim Ghouse passes away
Film and TV actor Salim Ghouse passed away in Mumbai after suffering a cardiac arrest. He started his acting journey in 1978 with the movie Swarg Narak, following which he featured in films like Chakra (1981), Saaransh (1984), Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), and several others. He was also a known face in the television industry. He essayed the roles of Rama, Krishna and Tipu Sultan in Shyam Benegal’s TV Series Bharat Ek Khoj. He was also a part of the sitcom Wagle Ki Duniya (1988).
Salim Ghose came to the limelight with his popular TV series Subah. He was a movie, television, and theatre actor. He was also a theatre director and martial artist. The actor also acted in several international projects such as Kim, The Perfect Murder, The Deceivers, The Maharaja’s Daughter, and Getting Personal.
