Difference between State and Union Territory

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Difference between State and Union Territory

India is a federal republic with 28 states and 7 union territories. The states have a greater degree of autonomy than the union territories, which are directly administered by the central government.

States

States are the basic units of the Indian federation. They have their own governments, legislatures, and judiciaries. The powers of the states are enumerated in the Constitution, and they have the freedom to legislate on all matters not specifically reserved for the central government.

The states are further divided into districts, which are further divided into tehsils or talukas, which are further divided into villages. The head of the state is the governor, who is appointed by the president of India. The chief minister is the head of the state government, and is elected by the members of the state legislative assembly.

Union Territories

Union territories are not full-fledged states, and are directly administered by the central government. The powers of the union territories are limited to those that are specifically delegated to them by the central government.

The union territories are further divided into districts, which are further divided into tehsils or talukas, which are further divided into villages. The head of the union territory is the lieutenant governor, who is appointed by the president of India. The administrator is the head of the union territory government, and is appointed by the central government.

Differences between States and Union Territories

The following are some of the key differences between states and union territories:

  • States have their own governments, legislatures, and judiciaries, while union territories are directly administered by the central government.
  • States have the freedom to legislate on all matters not specifically reserved for the central government, while the powers of the union territories are limited to those that are specifically delegated to them by the central government.
  • The head of the state is the governor, who is appointed by the president of India, while the head of the union territory is the lieutenant governor, who is also appointed by the president of India.
  • The chief minister is the head of the state government, and is elected by the members of the state legislative assembly, while the administrator is the head of the union territory government, and is appointed by the central government.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the difference between a state and a union territory?

A state is a full-fledged member of the Indian federation, while a union territory is not. States have their own governments, legislatures, and judiciaries, while union territories are directly administered by the central government.

  1. What are the powers of the states?

The powers of the states are enumerated in the Constitution, and they have the freedom to legislate on all matters not specifically reserved for the central government.

  1. What are the powers of the union territories?

The powers of the union territories are limited to those that are specifically delegated to them by the central government.

  1. Who is the head of a state?

The head of a state is the governor, who is appointed by the president of India.

  1. Who is the head of a union territory?

The head of a union territory is the lieutenant governor, who is also appointed by the president of India.

  1. Who is the head of the state government?

The head of the state government is the chief minister, who is elected by the members of the state legislative assembly.

  1. Who is the head of the union territory government?

The head of the union territory government is the administrator, who is appointed by the central government.

MCQs

  1. Which of the following is not a state of India?
    (a) Uttar Pradesh
    (b) Delhi
    (c) Jammu and Kashmir
    (d) Chandigarh

  2. The head of the state government is the:
    (a) Governor
    (b) Chief Minister
    (c) Administrator
    (d) Prime Minister

  3. The head of the union territory government is the:
    (a) Governor
    (b) Chief Minister
    (c) Administrator
    (d) Prime Minister

  4. The powers of the states are enumerated in the:
    (a) Constitution of India
    (b) Indian Penal Code
    (c) Code of Criminal Procedure
    (d) Indian Evidence Act

  5. The powers of the union territories are limited to those that are specifically delegated to them by the:
    (a) Constitution of India
    (b) Indian Penal Code
    (c) Code of Criminal Procedure
    (d) Indian Evidence Act