Puducherry: a 479 sq km Union Territory with a legislature

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Puducherry: a 479 sq km Union Territory with a legislature

Background

The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishments of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, which lie scattered in South India. It is a Union Territory with a legislature and extends over an area of 479 square kilometres. Its total population is 12,44,464 with a literacy rate of 86.55, as per the 2011 Census (Provisional). The main languages spoken are Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English and French. Puducherry town, the capital of the Territory and once the headquarters of the French in India, lies on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, bounded on the east by the sea and on the other three sides by Tamil Nadu.

Area: 479 sq km Population (2011 Census, Provisional): 12,44,464 Literacy rate: 86.55 Four former French establishments: Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam

Why it matters for exams: Area, population and literacy of Puducherry and its status as a Union Territory with a legislature are standard Kerala PSC and UPSC facts.

Kerala PSCUPSC

15 October 2026 Source: Government of Puducherry

In plain words

Union Territory with legislature UT having its own Legislative Assembly — A Union Territory that, unlike most, has an elected Assembly and a Council of Ministers.