Anand Classes presents comprehensive Union Territories (Articles 239–241) Polity Notes for NDA exam preparation, including detailed theory, FAQs, and multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These notes explain the constitutional provisions related to Union Territories, administration by the President through an Administrator, special provisions for Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir, and the role of Parliament in their governance. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
Union Territories (Articles 239–241)
The Constitution of India provides a special system of administration for Union Territories (UTs), which are regions that are directly governed by the Central Government instead of having full-fledged statehood.
Key Features of Union Territories
- Administration:
- Union Territories are administered by the President of India through an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor (LG) appointed by him.
- This ensures direct control of the Union Government over these territories.
- Administrators:
- The Administrators of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Delhi, and Puducherry are designated as Lieutenant Governors.
- Chandigarh is administered by a Chief Commissioner.
- Legislature Powers:
- Some UTs like Delhi and Puducherry have their own Legislative Assemblies and governments with limited powers, while others are governed entirely by the Union Government.
The purpose of creating Union Territories is to ensure administrative convenience, strategic importance, and cultural uniqueness, especially for small territories that cannot function as full-fledged states.
Jammu and Kashmir (Special Status) (Before August 5, 2019)
⚡ Note: The provisions below describe the special status of Jammu & Kashmir as it existed before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
- Special Provision – Article 370:
- Article 370 gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir at the time of its accession to India in 1947.
- This special arrangement was made due to the unique circumstances of its integration after independence.
- Separate Constitution:
- Jammu and Kashmir had its own separate Constitution, drafted by its own Constituent Assembly.
- Limited Parliamentary Powers:
- The Parliament of India had no power to make laws on the State List subjects for Jammu & Kashmir.
- All residuary powers (powers not mentioned in Union or Concurrent List) rested with the state legislature, unlike other states where they lie with the Union.
- Dual Citizenship:
- The residents of Jammu & Kashmir enjoyed dual citizenship – one of India and one of the State.
- Non-residents could not purchase immovable property in the state.
- Emergency Provisions:
- In case of constitutional breakdown, Governor’s Rule could be imposed for a maximum period of 6 months, in addition to President’s Rule.
- Financial Emergency (Article 360) could not be declared in Jammu & Kashmir.
- National Emergency on the grounds of war or external aggression was automatically applicable, but an emergency on the basis of armed rebellion required the state government’s consent.
- Boundary Changes:
- The Indian Parliament could not alter the name, boundary, or territory of Jammu & Kashmir without the consent of the State Legislature.
Current Status of Jammu and Kashmir (Post-2019)
- On August 5, 2019, the special status of Jammu & Kashmir was abrogated by the abrogation of Article 370.
- The state was reorganized into two Union Territories:
- Jammu & Kashmir (with a Legislative Assembly)
- Ladakh (without a Legislative Assembly)
- Now, the Union Government has full legislative and administrative control over both territories, similar to other UTs.
Key Takeaways for Exams
- Union Territories are directly administered by the President of India.
- Some UTs like Delhi and Puducherry have partial statehood with their own legislature.
- Jammu & Kashmir formerly enjoyed special status under Article 370, but this has been revoked since 2019, making it a Union Territory.
NDA FAQs on Union Territories and Jammu & Kashmir for SSB Preparation
FAQ 1: What are Union Territories and how are they administered in India?
Answer:
Union Territories (UTs) are regions in India that are directly governed by the Central Government instead of having full-fledged statehood. They are administered by the President of India through an Administrator or a Lieutenant Governor (LG) appointed by him under Articles 239–241 of the Constitution. Some UTs, like Delhi and Puducherry, have Legislative Assemblies with limited powers, while others like Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh are administered entirely by the Union Government for reasons of strategic importance, administrative convenience, or cultural uniqueness.
This topic is frequently covered in the Indian Polity section of the UPSC NDA syllabus, so aspirants should revise it thoroughly using resources such as Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, download UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 2: What is the constitutional provision for the administration of Union Territories?
Answer:
The administration of Union Territories is governed by Articles 239 to 241 of the Indian Constitution. These provisions empower the President of India to appoint an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor to govern each UT. For example, Delhi and Puducherry have Lieutenant Governors, while Chandigarh is administered by a Chief Commissioner. Depending on the UT, the level of autonomy varies—Delhi and Puducherry have elected assemblies, but their laws can still be overridden by Parliament when necessary.
Understanding these constitutional details is important for UPSC NDA polity preparation, where questions often test knowledge of such administrative frameworks. Candidates can strengthen their study by referring to Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, download UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 3: What special status was given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370?
Answer:
Before August 5, 2019, Article 370 granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. Under this provision, the state had its own Constitution, and the Indian Parliament could make laws for the state only on matters related to defence, foreign affairs, finance, and communications. Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed dual citizenship, and non-residents were prohibited from buying immovable property in the state. Additionally, Financial Emergency (Article 360) could not be applied there, and National Emergency on grounds of armed rebellion required the state government’s consent.
This topic is of high significance in UPSC NDA Indian Polity because it highlights the unique federal structure of India. For deeper understanding, aspirants can use Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, download UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 4: What changes were made to Jammu and Kashmir’s status in 2019?
Answer:
On August 5, 2019, the Government of India abrogated Article 370, thereby removing Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. The state was reorganized into two Union Territories:
- Jammu & Kashmir – with a Legislative Assembly similar to Delhi.
- Ladakh – without a Legislative Assembly.
This move brought Jammu and Kashmir completely under the jurisdiction of the Indian Constitution, giving Parliament full authority to make laws on all subjects.
For UPSC NDA aspirants, this is a contemporary and important topic under Indian Polity and Current Affairs. Comprehensive preparation using materials like Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, download UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation can help in answering such questions confidently.
FAQ 5: Can the boundaries or names of Union Territories be changed by Parliament?
Answer:
Yes, under Articles 2 and 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of India has the power to create new states or Union Territories, merge existing ones, or change their names and boundaries. However, before making any such changes, the President must refer the proposal to the concerned State Legislature for its opinion, although the final decision rests with Parliament.
This concept often appears in UPSC NDA polity questions as it explains the flexibility of India’s federal structure. To prepare effectively, candidates can rely on resources like Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, download UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
FAQ 6: Why were certain Union Territories like Delhi and Puducherry given Legislative Assemblies?
Answer:
Unlike other UTs, Delhi and Puducherry were given Legislative Assemblies to allow local self-governance and address the needs of their large populations. They can make laws on subjects in the State List and Concurrent List, except for matters like police, land, and public order, which remain under the Union Government’s control. Despite having an elected government, the Lieutenant Governor of these UTs holds significant powers to ensure the central government’s interests are protected.
This balance of power between the Union Government and the local government is a key topic in UPSC NDA polity preparation, and candidates can revise it using Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes, download UPSC NDA study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
NDA MCQs on Union Territories and Jammu & Kashmir
MCQ 1. Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution deals with the administration of Union Territories?
A. Articles 240–243
B. Articles 239–241
C. Articles 243–245
D. Articles 231–233
Answer: B. Articles 239–241
Explanation:
The administration of Union Territories is provided under Articles 239 to 241 of the Indian Constitution. These articles empower the President of India to administer UTs through Administrators or Lieutenant Governors. This is a direct question often asked in the Indian Polity section of the UPSC NDA exam, so aspirants should focus on learning Article numbers carefully.
MCQ 2. Which of the following Union Territories has a Legislative Assembly?
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Delhi
- Puducherry
- Chandigarh
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 4 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 3 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Among the listed Union Territories, only Delhi and Puducherry have their own Legislative Assemblies with limited powers of law-making. Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh are directly administered by the President through an Administrator or Chief Commissioner. This type of question is frequently asked in UPSC NDA polity for factual clarity.
MCQ 3. Before the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which of the following statements about Jammu and Kashmir was NOT correct?
A. Jammu and Kashmir had its own Constitution.
B. Parliament could make laws only on defence, foreign affairs, finance, and communications.
C. Financial Emergency under Article 360 could be proclaimed in the state.
D. Non-residents could not purchase immovable property in the state.
Answer: C. Financial Emergency under Article 360 could be proclaimed in the state.
Explanation:
Under Article 370, Financial Emergency (Article 360) could not be proclaimed in Jammu and Kashmir. Other statements are correct: the state had its own Constitution, dual citizenship, and restrictions on the purchase of property by non-residents. Questions like this test a candidate’s ability to differentiate between correct and incorrect constitutional provisions—important for UPSC NDA polity preparation.
MCQ 4. The Chief Commissioner administers which of the following Union Territories?
A. Delhi
B. Chandigarh
C. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
D. Lakshadweep
Answer: B. Chandigarh
Explanation:
Chandigarh is administered by a Chief Commissioner appointed by the President of India. Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands are administered by Lieutenant Governors, while Lakshadweep is administered by an Administrator. Such factual questions appear regularly in the NDA exam and require precise memorization of administrative details.
MCQ 5. Which of the following emergencies automatically extended to Jammu and Kashmir before August 2019?
A. National Emergency on grounds of armed rebellion
B. Financial Emergency
C. National Emergency on grounds of war or external aggression
D. Governor’s Rule
Answer: C. National Emergency on grounds of war or external aggression
Explanation:
Before the abrogation of Article 370, National Emergency proclaimed on grounds of war or external aggression applied to Jammu and Kashmir automatically. However, a National Emergency based on armed rebellion required the state government’s consent, and Financial Emergency could not be imposed at all. This type of nuanced question is typical in UPSC NDA polity papers.
MCQ 6. Governor’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir could be imposed for a maximum period of:
A. 3 months
B. 6 months
C. 9 months
D. 1 year
Answer: B. 6 months
Explanation:
Before the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, Governor’s Rule could be imposed in the state for a maximum of 6 months in case of constitutional breakdown, after which President’s Rule could be applied. Such questions test understanding of the special provisions that existed under Article 370, important for UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
MCQ 7. Who appoints the Administrator or Lieutenant Governor of a Union Territory?
A. Prime Minister of India
B. Parliament of India
C. President of India
D. Governor of the concerned state
Answer: C. President of India
Explanation:
The President of India appoints the Administrator or Lieutenant Governor for each Union Territory under Article 239. This is a straightforward factual question that NDA aspirants should memorize as part of their Indian Polity revision.
MCQ 8. Which Union Territory was created as a result of the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019?
A. Ladakh only
B. Jammu and Kashmir only
C. Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir
D. Ladakh and Chandigarh
Answer: C. Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation:
After the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories:
- Jammu & Kashmir (with a Legislative Assembly)
- Ladakh (without a Legislative Assembly).
This is a highly current and important question for UPSC NDA polity and current affairs preparation.
🏆 Preparation Tip
For effective practice, revise these MCQs along with Anand Classes UPSC NDA notes and study material pdf, UPSC NDA polity notes preparation, which provide chapter-wise explanations and NDA exam-style questions to strengthen your Indian Polity concepts.
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