Home The Constitution Part VIII Article 239A

Art. 239A Part VIII: The Union Territories

Creation of Local Legislatures or Council of Ministers for Certain Union Territories

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Parliament may by law create for the Union territory of Puducherry—(a) a body, whether elected or partly nominated and partly elected, to function as a Legislature for the Union territory, or (b) a Council of Ministers, or both with such constitution, powers and functions, in each case, as may be specified in the law.

(2) Any such law as is referred to in clause (1) shall not be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368 notwithstanding that it contains any provision which amends or has the effect of amending this Constitution.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives Parliament the power to create a local legislature and/or Council of Ministers for the Union Territory of Puducherry specifically — by ordinary law, not requiring the special constitutional amendment procedure, even if the resulting arrangement functions quite like a mini-state government.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is the constitutional basis for Puducherry having its own elected Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister, unlike most other Union Territories which are run solely by an appointed Administrator.

Read alongside this one

Art. 239 — Administration of Union Territories

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 239A

Why does this Article specifically name Puducherry rather than being general?

It was drafted with Puducherry's specific post-colonial integration history in mind (it was a former French territory), giving Parliament tailored power to design its governance structure.

← PreviousArticle 239: Administration of Union Territories Next →Article 239AA: Special Provisions for the National Capital Territory of Delhi

The text above reproduces Article 239A of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.