The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of States
Act details
| Short title | The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for Legislative Assemblies and Councils of Ministers for certain Union territories and for certain other matters. |
| Act number | 20 of 1963 |
| Act year | 1963 |
| Enactment date | 10 May 1963 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of States |
| Department | Department of States |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 72 |
| Schedules | 2 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
Key Objectives
• To establish Legislative Assemblies in specified Union Territories.
• To provide for the constitution of Councils of Ministers to aid and advise the Administrator.
• To define the powers, functions, and procedures of the Legislature and the Executive in Union Territories.
• To ensure democratic governance while preserving the constitutional authority of the Central Government over Union Territories.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
● Act Title - The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963
● Act Number / Year - 20 of 1963
● Act ID (India Code) - 196320
● Presidential Assent Date - May 10, 1963
● Enforcement Date - May 13, 1963
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Constitutional Framework for Democratic Self-Governance in UTs - Enacted under Article 239A of the Constitution (introduced via the Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1962) to create local legislative bodies and Councils of Ministers in specified Union Territories.
● Delegation of Administrative and Financial Powers - Formulated to structure elected Legislative Assemblies, outline local legislative domain, establish Consolidated Funds, and define the statutory relationship between Administrators (Lieutenant Governors/Commissioners) and local Councils of Ministers.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide democratic governance institutions to centrally administered territories such as Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Goa, Daman & Diu, and Pondicherry.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the April–May 1963 session.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on May 10, 1963.
● Enforcement - Enforced on May 13, 1963.
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs.