Which UT was created last?

a. Lakshadweep

b. Chandigarh

c. Delhi

d. Puducherry

ANSWER: Chandigarh

Explanation:

At present, there are twenty-nine states, 7 Union Territories (UTs) and no acquired territories.

The union territories are those areas which are under the direct control and administration of the Central Government.

Hence, they are also known as ‘Centrally Administered Territories’.

In this way, existence of these territories constitutes a conspicuous departure from federalism in India; the Government of India is plainly unitary in so far as the relationship between New Delhi and these Central enclaves is concerned.

Creation of UTs -

During the British Rule, certain areas were constituted as ‘scheduled districts’ in 1874.

Later, they came to be known as ‘chief commissioner’s 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 Re-organisation Act (1956).

Gradually, some of these Union Territories have been made states.

Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa, which are states today were once Union Territories.

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.

7 UTs are (year of creation) -

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands - 1956.

2. Delhi - 1956.

3. Lakshadweep - 1956.

4. Dadraand Nagar Haveli - 1961.

5. Daman and Diu - 1962.

6. Puducherry - 1962.

7. Chandigarh - 1966.

Till 1973, Lakshadweep was known by the name of Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands.

In 1992, Delhi was re-designated as the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Till 2006, Puducherry was known as Pondicherry.

The Union Territories have been created for various reasons like -

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 (These later became states).