Match the following:

Union Territory	Year of Formation
1. Ladakh	(a) 1966
2. Lakshadweep	(b) 2020
3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	(c) 1956
4. Chandigarh	(d) 2019

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) 1-(d), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(a)

Explanation:

• Ladakh: It was officially formed as a Union Territory on 31 October 2019, following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

• Lakshadweep: This archipelago was established as a Union Territory in 1956 during the major reorganization of Indian states.

• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: These two separate UTs were merged into a single entity on 26 January 2020 to improve administrative efficiency.

• Chandigarh: It was created as a Union Territory in 1966 to serve as the shared capital for the newly bifurcated states of Punjab and Haryana.

Information Booster:

• Article 1 to 4: These articles under Part I of the Indian Constitution deal with the Union and its territory, giving Parliament the power to form new states or alter boundaries.

• Reorganisation of 1956: Based on the States Reorganisation Act, India was divided into 14 states and 6 Union Territories.

• Administrative Control: Unlike States, Union Territories are ruled directly by the Central Government through an Administrator or Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President.

Additional Knowledge:

• Delhi (1992): Under the 69th Amendment Act, Delhi was given special status as the National Capital Territory (NCT).

• Puducherry (1962): Formerly a French establishment, it was incorporated into India as a Union Territory in 1962.

• Jammu and Kashmir (2019): Alongside Ladakh, the erstwhile state was reconstituted as a Union Territory with a legislature.