Total Count

Subscribe Us

What is Article 239 of indian constitution

 

📜 Article 239 of the Indian Constitution

Title: Administration of Union Territories


🔹 Text Summary:

Article 239 states that every Union Territory (UT) shall be administered by the President of India, either directly or through an Administrator appointed by the President.


🧠 Key Provisions of Article 239:

🔑 Aspect Details
Who governs UTs? President of India
How is it administered? - Directly by the President
  • Through an Administrator appointed by the President |
    | Who is the Administrator? | Can be a Governor of a state or a separate Lieutenant Governor (LG)/Administrator |
    | Nature of power | The Administrator acts on behalf of the President |
    | Does it apply to all UTs? | Yes, except those with special provisions (e.g., Delhi & Puducherry under Article 239AA & 239A) |


🏛️ Example (as per Article 239):

Union Territory Administrator/Governor/LG Appointed
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Lieutenant Governor appointed by President
Chandigarh Governor of Punjab acts as Administrator
Lakshadweep Separate Administrator
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu One Administrator
Delhi Special provision under Article 239AA
Puducherry Special provision under Article 239A

⚠️ Important Note:

  • Articles 239A and 239AA provide special status to Puducherry and Delhi, giving them Legislative Assemblies and Council of Ministers, unlike other UTs.


🔁 Related Articles:

Article Subject
239 Administration of Union Territories
239A Legislature & Council of Ministers for Puducherry
239AA Special provisions for Delhi
240 Power of President to make regulations for UTs

📌 In Simple Words:

Article 239 empowers the President to run Union Territories, either through an appointee or directly, ensuring that these territories are governed efficiently even though they are not full-fledged states.


Here’s a 📊 Comparison Chart of Articles 239, 239A, and 239AA of the Indian Constitution – explaining the governance system of Union Territories:


🏛️ Chart: Administration of Union Territories (Articles 239, 239A & 239AA)

🔢 Article 📘 Subject 🗺️ Applies To 🧑‍⚖️ Who Administers? 🏛️ Special Features
Article 239 Administration of UTs All Union Territories (except Delhi & Puducherry) President, through an Administrator (LG/Governor) - No elected legislature
  • Administrator acts on behalf of President |
    | Article 239A | Legislature and Council of Ministers for UTs | Puducherry | Administrator + Elected Assembly | - Legislative Assembly

  • Council of Ministers

  • Powers similar to a state (limited) |
    | Article 239AA | Special status to National Capital Territory of Delhi | Delhi (NCT) | Lieutenant Governor + Elected Govt. | - Legislative Assembly

  • Council of Ministers

  • Special powers & limits (Police, Land, Public Order under Centre) |


🔍 Key Differences:

🧩 Feature 239 (Basic UT) 239A (Puducherry) 239AA (Delhi)
Legislature ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Council of Ministers ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Administrator ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (LG) ✅ Yes (LG)
Elected Chief Minister ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Control over Police, Law & Order ✅ Central Govt ✅ Local Govt ❌ With Central Govt (LG)

📌 Summary:

  • Article 239: Standard UTs like Lakshadweep, Andaman – No legislature, President governs via Administrator.

  • Article 239A: Puducherry – UT with a legislature & CM.

  • Article 239AA: Delhi – Special status with Assembly, CM, but Police, Land, Law & Order under Centre.