Dr. BR. Ambedkar explained the significance of the term union,
Indian union is not a result of agreement of independent and sovereign states
The union/states do not have right to break away from the Indian Union.
Part 1 of the Indian constitution contains articles 1 – 4 specifies the provisions related to the union and its territory
NAME AND TERRITORY OF THE UNION – Article 1
Deals with the “Name and territory of the Union”
Our country name is “India that is Bharat”
India as a “ Union of the states rather than the federation of the states”
India is an integral whole, divided into different states only for the purpose of administrative convenience.
Territories of India classified into
States Territories
Union territories
Territories that may be acquired by government of India
At present, there are 28 states and 8 union territories in India
Schedule 1 of the Indian constitution contains the list of states and union territories and their extent and territorial jurisdictions.
5th and 6th schedules hold separate provisions with respect to the administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas within the states
Indian – sovereign state can acquire foreign territories according to the methods recognized by international law. For example, India acquired a number of foreign territories such as Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry and Sikkim since, the beginning of the constitution.
Government of India – provides for provisions of administration for territories and states of India. The states are the member of federal system and share a distribution of powers in the Centre. On the other hand, the union territories and the acquired territories, are directly administered by the Central Government
