Test: India - Political - UPSC MCQ

The state of Jammu and Kashmir was officially bifurcated into two Union Territories on October 31st, 2019, with the creation of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

After the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, India has 8 Union Territories. Here is the breakdown:

• Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory.
• Ladakh was separated and also became a Union Territory.
• The remaining Union Territories include:
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • Chandigarh
  • Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
  • Delhi
  • Lakshadweep
  • Puducherry

The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir will have a legislature similar to Puducherry.

Ladakh will function as a Union Territory without a legislature, similar to Chandigarh.

After the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, India has 28 states.

Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu were merged into a single Union Territory.

The special status of Jammu and Kashmir was withdrawn under Article 370.

The Union Territory of Ladakh comprises the districts of Kargil and Leh.

Chandigarh is a Union Territory in India where the central government directly controls law and order.

• This means the police and other security services are managed by the central authorities, not by a local government.
• Chandigarh serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana, but remains under central administration.

- Ladakh is the largest union territory in India in terms of area.
- Key Points:
- Ladakh was established as a separate union territory on October, 2019, after the bifurcation of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is known for its vast and rugged terrain, covering an area of approximately 59,146 square kilometers.
- Ladakh is located in the northern part of India, sharing international borders with China and Pakistan.
- Comparisons:
- Chandigarh and Puducherry are much smaller in area compared to Ladakh.
- Jammu and Kashmir, while larger as a state, is now divided into two union territories, with Ladakh being the larger one.