Explanations:Union Territories in India are administrative divisions that are directly governed by the Union Government, which is the central government of India. These territories do not have the same level of autonomy as states, but some Union Territories have been granted partial statehood, which means they have a legislative assembly and a council of ministers. This partial statehood allows these Union Territories to have some degree of self-governance while still being under the direct control of the Union Government.
Puducherry is one of the Union Territories that has been granted partial statehood. It was given this status in 1963, and since then, it has had its own legislative assembly and council of ministers. The legislative assembly is responsible for making laws and policies for the territory, while the council of ministers is responsible for the administration and governance of the territory. However, the Union Government still retains the ultimate authority over Puducherry, and the President of India appoints the Lieutenant Governor, who is the head of the territory.
The other Union Territories mentioned in the options—Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands—do not have partial statehood. They are directly governed by the Union Government without a legislative assembly or council of ministers. The administration of these territories is carried out by an administrator appointed by the President of India.
Understanding the administrative structure of Union Territories is important for students preparing for competitive examinations such as the UPSC, SSC, and Bank PO, as questions related to the governance and administrative status of Union Territories are frequently asked in these exams. It is crucial to know which Union Territories have partial statehood and which do not, as this can affect the governance and legislative processes within these territories.