{"id":74786,"date":"2025-11-24T12:22:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T06:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=74786"},"modified":"2025-11-24T12:22:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T06:52:28","slug":"article-240-of-indian-constitution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-240-of-indian-constitution\/","title":{"rendered":"Article 240 of Indian Constitution, Interpretation, Significance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article 240 of Indian Constitution grants the President special powers to frame regulations for specific Union Territories (UTs) for their peace, progress, and good governance. These regulations operate with the same legal force as Acts of Parliament and can even amend or repeal existing laws. This provision becomes particularly important for UTs without a legislative assembly or where Parliament prefers a centralized administrative mechanism.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Article 240 of Indian Constitution<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article 240 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Indian Constitution<\/strong><\/a> empowers the President to make regulations for the peace, progress, and good governance of specific Union Territories. These regulations hold the same authority as Acts of Parliament and may amend or repeal existing laws applicable to those territories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Power of President to make regulations for certain Union territories<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(1) The President may make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the Union territories of-<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(a) the Andaman and Nicobar Islands;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(b) Lakshadweep;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(c) Dadra and Nagar Haveli;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(d) Daman and Diu;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(e) Pondicherry (only until its legislature constituted under Article 239A begins functioning)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Recent Developments: Chandigarh and Article 240 Debate<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chandigarh and Article 240 debate recently gained attention due to concerns raised by Punjab and local stakeholders over potential moves to alter Chandigarh\u2019s administrative framework. Although Chandigarh is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covered under Article 240, discussions emerged after reports suggesting possible central regulations affecting the Union Territory\u2019s governance.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chandigarh is <\/span><b>not included<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under Article 240; it is governed under <\/span><b>Article 239<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a Union Territory with its own administrative model.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concerns arose when speculative reports hinted at possible central regulations, prompting political reactions from Punjab leaders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The debate highlighted sensitivities around Chandigarh\u2019s shared administrative legacy between Punjab and Haryana.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centre clarified that no proposal exists to bring Chandigarh under Article 240 or alter its administrative structure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Article 240 of Indian Constitution Interpretation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article 240 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to frame regulations for certain Union Territories, especially those without a legislative assembly, to ensure efficient administration. These regulations can override existing laws and carry the same authority as an Act of Parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applies to UTs like Andaman &amp; Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman &amp; Diu, Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli, and Puducherry (with limits).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enables quick law-making without parliamentary delays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensures centralized governance where local legislatures are absent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Presidential regulations can amend or repeal parliamentary laws in these UTs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Union Territories Covered Under Article 240<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Union Territories covered under Article 240 are those for which the President is empowered to make regulations for their peace, progress, and good governance. These UTs either lack a legislative assembly or require centralized administrative oversight due to their size, population, or strategic location.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Andaman and Nicobar Islands<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Lakshadweep<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Dadra and Nagar Haveli<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Daman and Diu<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Puducherry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (only until its legislature constituted under Article 239A begins functioning)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Article 240 of Indian Constitution Landmark Judgements<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no major landmark Supreme Court judgments directly on Article 240 of Indian Constituion because its scope is clear and rarely disputed in courts. Most Union Territory regulations issued under this Article have operated smoothly without significant constitutional challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Courts seldom intervene as Article 240 deals with administrative powers over UTs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No major constitutional conflict has arisen regarding Presidential regulations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UTs under Article 240 are small, reducing litigation and political disputes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Judicial references are mostly indirect, related to UT governance rather than Article 240 itself.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Article 240 of Indian Constitution Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article 240 is significant because it ensures centralized, efficient, and uniform governance in Union Territories that lack full legislative structures. It empowers the President to issue regulations quickly, enabling smooth administration, development, and legal continuity in these territories.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides a constitutional mechanism for governing UTs without legislatures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enables swift policy decisions without waiting for parliamentary processes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensures administrative stability in newly formed or small UTs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows regulations to amend or override parliamentary laws when needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supports national security and strategic governance in sensitive UTs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Article 240 of Indian Constitution Amendments<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amendments to Article 240 reflect changes in India\u2019s territorial administration, especially when new Union Territories were integrated. These amendments expanded the President\u2019s power to issue regulations for newly added UTs until stable governance structures were established.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tenth Amendment (1961):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Added <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dadra and Nagar Haveli<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under Article 240 after its integration into India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Twelfth Amendment (1962):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Brought <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Goa, Daman and Diu<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under Article 240 following their liberation and union with India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These amendments helped ensure smooth administration of newly acquired territories.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They allowed presidential regulations until full political institutions and legislatures were developed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 83.8914%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 131.674%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Also Check Related Post<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 53.5524%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-295-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 295 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 78.1215%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-194-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 194 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 53.5524%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-39-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 39 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 78.1215%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-191-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 191 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 53.5524%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-20-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 20 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 78.1215%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-16-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 16 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 53.5524%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-67-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 67 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 78.1215%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-40-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 40 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 25px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 131.674%; height: 25px; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-78-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 78 of Indian Constitution<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Article 240 of Indian Constitution explains the President\u2019s power to make regulations for select Union Territories, ensuring their peace, progress, governance and legal continuity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":74773,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[3851],"class_list":{"0":"post-74786","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-article-240-of-indian-constitution","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}