States and Union Territories: how they are made and changed
The Constitution lets Parliament create, merge, split and rename states by ordinary law, and runs the Union Territories from the Centre.
What the paper can ask
- Forming a new state or altering boundaries or names needs only an ordinary law of Parliament on the President's recommendation; it is not a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
- The Seventh Amendment (1956) reorganised the states on linguistic lines, abolished the old Part A to D classes and introduced Union Territories.
- Goa came under Indian control from Portugal on 19 December 1961, voted in 1967 to stay a Union Territory rather than merge with Maharashtra, and later became a full state; it is the smallest state by area.
- Two Union Territories on the west coast were merged into one with effect from 26 January 2020.
- Delhi's Assembly has 70 seats and can legislate on State and Concurrent List matters except police, public order and land; the Lieutenant Governor acts on its aid and advice on those matters.
- By the 2011 Census, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state; Rajasthan is the largest state by area. Ladakh is the largest Union Territory by area and Lakshadweep the smallest. (as of 1 Mar 2011)
Latest
India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories (36 units) as of October 2026.
Why exams ask
Setters ask the Article that names the Union, the Article for new states, the count of states and UTs, statehood years, UT mergers and Delhi's special status.
The full story
The Constitution opens by naming the country 'India, that is Bharat' and listing its states and territories in the First Schedule. Parliament can admit new states, form a new state from existing ones, and change a state's area, boundary or name by ordinary law, after the President seeks the state legislature's views. States have elected governments; Union Territories are run by the Centre through an Administrator, though a few have assemblies.
In the news
Test yourself
1.After the merger of two Union Territories on 26 January 2020, Daman became the capital of
Correct. Dadra and Nagar Haveli merged with Daman and Diu into a single Union Territory in January 2020, with Daman as its headquarters.
Not quite. Dadra and Nagar Haveli merged with Daman and Diu into a single Union Territory in January 2020, with Daman as its headquarters. It goes into your error book.
2.Goa attained full statehood on 30 May in which year?
Correct. Goa was liberated in 1961, became a Union Territory with Daman and Diu, and was made the 25th state on 30 May 1987; Daman and Diu stayed a UT.
Not quite. Goa was liberated in 1961, became a Union Territory with Daman and Diu, and was made the 25th state on 30 May 1987; Daman and Diu stayed a UT. It goes into your error book.
3.Article 1 of the Constitution describes India, that is Bharat, as a
Correct. Article 1(1) reads: 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' Ambedkar explained that the federation was not the result of an agreement and no State may secede.
Not quite. Article 1(1) reads: 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' Ambedkar explained that the federation was not the result of an agreement and no State may secede. It goes into your error book.