34 exam-style questions on this part, written from the actual legal text and tagged for UPSC, Judiciary and CLAT. Five are shown below with answers and explanations — the rest are in the free interactive drill.
Q1 · easy · Article 239
Under Article 239(1), who is primarily responsible for administering every Union territory?
- A.Parliament
- B.The Governor of the adjoining State
- C.The President acting through an administrator appointed by him✓ correct
- D.The Chief Minister of the territory
Why: Article 239(1) provides that every Union territory shall be administered by the President acting, to such extent as he thinks fit, through an administrator to be appointed by him. Thus administration is vested in the President acting through an appointed administrator.
Read Article 239 — Administration of Union territories →Q2 · easy · Article 239
Who may be appointed as the administrator of an adjoining Union territory under Article 239(2)?
- A.The Prime Minister
- B.The Governor of a State✓ correct
- C.A member of Parliament
- D.The Chief Justice of the High Court
Why: Article 239(2) states that the President may appoint the Governor of a State as the administrator of an adjoining Union territory. The provision expressly names the Governor of a State as a person who may be appointed.
Read Article 239 — Administration of Union territories →Q3 · medium · Article 239
What is the effect of the phrase 'Save as otherwise provided by Parliament by law' in Article 239(1)?
- A.Parliament may, by law, provide otherwise and depart from the administration scheme in Article 239(1)✓ correct
- B.The President cannot change the administration except through a constitutional amendment
- C.Only the Supreme Court can alter the administration of Union territories
- D.State legislatures may override Article 239(1) by enacting laws
Why: Article 239(1) begins with 'Save as otherwise provided by Parliament by law', which means Parliament may, by law, provide an alternative arrangement to the default scheme set out in clause (1). Therefore Parliament can lawfully provide otherwise to the administration method described.
Read Article 239 — Administration of Union territories →Q4 · medium · Article 239
When a Governor is appointed under Article 239(2) as administrator of an adjoining Union territory, how must he exercise his functions as such administrator?
- A.He must act on the advice of his State Council of Ministers
- B.He must act on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers
- C.He must act only with prior approval of Parliament
- D.He shall exercise his functions as such administrator independently of his Council of Ministers✓ correct
Why: Article 239(2) explicitly provides that where a Governor is appointed as administrator, he shall exercise his functions as such administrator independently of his Council of Ministers. The clause makes the administrator's exercise of functions independent of the State Council of Ministers.
Read Article 239 — Administration of Union territories →Q5 · hard · Article 239
What is the legal significance of the opening words 'Notwithstanding anything contained in Part VI' in Article 239(2)?
- A.It makes Article 239(2) subject to the provisions of Part VI
- B.It makes Article 239(2) operate despite any inconsistency with Part VI✓ correct
- C.It limits the appointment of a Governor as administrator to situations expressly mentioned in Part VI
- D.It requires the Governor to follow Part VI procedures before acting as administrator
Why: The phrase 'Notwithstanding anything contained in Part VI' in Article 239(2) indicates that clause (2) will have effect even if it conflicts with provisions in Part VI. Thus the power to appoint a Governor as administrator is to operate despite anything in Part VI.
Read Article 239 — Administration of Union territories →29 more questions on The Union Territories
Drill them interactively — instant feedback, links to every provision, and your accuracy tracked on the syllabus map. Free.
Start the free drill →Questions are AI-generated from the legal text, machine-verified against the provision, and editorially reviewable. Education, not legal advice.