Question

Among the following which is the Union territory?
A. Varanasi
B. Srinagar
C. Pune
D. Chandigarh

Answer 1

Hint: India has been described as a ‘Union of states’ under Article 1. This article showcases that the territory of India comprises three categories of territories: (a) union territories; (b) territories of the states; and (c) territories that may be acquired by the Government of India at any time.

Complete answer:
The Constitution deals with the union territories from Article 239 to 241 under Part VIII. Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, and Puducherry are the eight union territories of India. There is no uniformity in the administrative system of union territories even though all the union territories belong to one category. The President administers every union territory through administrators appointed by him. An administrator of a union territory is not the head of the state like a governor but he is an agent of the President. The designation of an administrator may be specified by the President; it may be of a Lieutenant Governor or administrator or Chief Commissioner. Presently, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep have administrators whereas in case rest of the union territories which are Delhi (NCT), Puducherry, Andaman, and Nicobar Island, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, these have governors. The governor of a union territory can also be appointed as the administrator of an adjoining union territory by the President. The governor has to act independently of his council of ministers in that capacity.
Presently, a legislative assembly and a council of ministers, headed by a chief minister, are provided to the union territories of Delhi and Puducherry. But despite this, the President and the Parliament have supreme control over union territories. For the union territories, the Parliament can make laws on any subject of the three lists. The power of the Parliament of making laws for the union territories, even from the state list, also extends to the union territories of Delhi and Puducherry, even though they have their own legislatures.

Thus, option (D) is correct.

Note: The state of Punjab was bifurcated in 1966 to create the union territory of Chandigarh, and the 17th state of the Indian Union i.e. Haryana.