Union Territory Governance
Administrator vs. Elected Government
Under Article 239, the President administers Union Territories through appointed Administrators (called Lieutenant Governors in some UTs like Puducherry, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands). The degree of democratic self-governance varies significantly across UTs:
- Without Legislature (e.g., Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli): Direct central administration; no elected government.
- With Legislature (Puducherry, Delhi, J&K): Have elected assemblies under Article 239A or Article 239AA; Council of Ministers advises the Administrator.
- In Puducherry, when there is no elected government (President's Rule under Article 239AB, or during election periods), the LG exercises executive authority directly.
- The Supreme Court in NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2018) clarified that elected governments in UTs with legislatures have primacy over routine administrative decisions — the LG cannot override cabinet decisions arbitrarily.
● Tracked since February 11, 2026 · last seen April 27, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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