Puducherry (union territory)

2026-04-29T10:06:52Z

2A02:6B69:250:0:1570:86E1:F292:2CC: added section based on references and improved wording

{{Short description|Union territory of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox Indian state or territory
| name = Puducherry
| image_skyline = {{photomontage
| photo1a = Pondicherry-Rock beach aerial view.jpg
| photo2a = Image pondicherry.jpg
| photo3b = Long exposure shot of Beach road near Pondicherry harbour.jpg
| spacing = 2
| position = centre
| size = 300
| border = 0
| color =
}}
| image_caption = Top to bottom: [[Promenade Beach]], Pondicherry harbour, Beach in Pondicherry
| type = Union Territory
| image_seal = Emblem of the Government of Puducherry.png
| motto = [[Satyameva Jayate]] ([[Sanskrit]]) "Truth alone triumphs"{{force singular}}
| anthem = [[Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)|Tamil Thai Valthu]] ([[Tamil language|Tamil]])<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/Uniform-tune-sought-for-lsquoThamizh-Thaai-Vaazhthursquo/article14851832.ece|title=Uniform tune sought for 'Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu'|newspaper=The Hindu |date=6 October 2007|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> "Prayer to Mother Tamil"
| image_map = IN-PY.svg
| coordinates = {{Coord|11.911|79.813|region:IN-PY|display=inline,title}}
| region = South India
| formation_date = 1 November 1954<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/7706/Agreement+on+De+Facto+Transfer+of+French+Establishments|title=Agreement on De Facto Transfer of French Establishments|date=21 October 1954|publisher=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India|access-date=5 August 2022}}</ref>
| formation_date4 = 1 July 1963<ref name="IAR1955">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JncPAQAAIAAJ|title=Indian Affairs Record (Vol. I and II)|publisher=Diwan Chand Indian Information Center|year=1955|page=20}}</ref>
| capital = Puducherry (city){{!}}Pondicherry
| largestcity = capital
| districts = [[List of districts of Puducherry|4]]
| Lt_governor = [[Kuniyil Kailashnathan]]
| Chief_Minister = [[N. Rangaswamy]]
| party = [[All India N.R. Congress|AINRC]]
| Chief_secretary = Sharat Chauhan
| judiciary = [[Madras High Court]]
| legislature_type = Unicameral
| assembly = [[Puducherry Legislative Assembly]]<ref>{{cite web|title=PUDUCHERRY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY|url=http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/PONDICHERY.htm|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103094411/http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/PONDICHERY.htm|archive-date=3 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| assembly_seats = 33 seats
| rajya_sabha_seats = 1 seat
| lok_sabha_seats = 1 seat
| area_total_km2 = 483
| area_rank = 34th
| elevation_m =
| elevation_max_m = 67
| elevation_max_point = ''Unnamed point'' near Chalakara Village
| elevation_min_m = 0
| elevation_min_point = [[Bay of Bengal]] and [[Laccadive Sea]]
| population_total = 1,394,467
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank = 29th
| population_urban = 68.33%
| population_rural = 31.67%
| population_density = 2,900
| 0fficial_Langs = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] • [[Malayalam]] • [[Telugu language|Telugu]]<ref name="1965act">{{cite web |title=The Pondicherry Official Languages Act, 1965 |url=http://www.lawsofindia.org/pdf/puducherry/1965/1965Pondicherry3.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503022028/http://www.lawsofindia.org/pdf/puducherry/1965/1965Pondicherry3.pdf |archive-date=3 May 2020 |publisher=Laws of India |url-status=usurped |access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| additional_official = [[English language|English]]<ref name="1965act"/> • [[French language|French]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://law.py.gov.in/docs/Code1.pdf |title=Puducherry Code Volume-I |publisher=Law Department, [[Government of Puducherry]] |pages=107 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |access-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315060504/https://law.py.gov.in/docs/Code1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| GDP_total = {{INRConvert|0.39|t|lk=r}}
| GDP_year = 2023-24
| GDP_rank = 26th
| GDP_per_capita = {{INRConvert|302680|lk=r}}
| GDP_per_capita_rank = 10th
| HDI_year = 2022
| HDI = {{increase}} 0.741 (High)<ref>{{cite web |title=India: Subnational HDI |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/IND/ |website=Global Data Labs |access-date=8 June 2025}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 4th
| literacy = 92.7%<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/AnnualReport_PLFS2023-24L2.pdf |title=Annual Report, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) (July 2023 – June 2024) |date=23 September 2024 |publisher=National Sample Survey Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India |pages=A-10 |chapter=Appendix-A: Detailed tables, Table (7): Literacy rate (in per cent) of persons of different age groups for each State/UT (persons, age-group (years): 7 & above, rural+urban (column 6))}}</ref>
| literacy_year = 2024
| literacy_rank = 9th
| sex_ratio = 1037[[female|♀️]]/1000 [[male|♂️]]<ref name="sexratio">{{Cite web|date=13 October 2020|title=Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2020. Social and Demographic Indicators. Table 5: State-wise Sex Ratio. |url=https://m.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=19994|access-date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Reserve Bank of India}}</ref>
| sexratio_year = 2011
| iso_code = IN-PY
| registration_plate = PY 01 – PY 05
| website = py.gov.in
| footnotes = Territories of French India were completely transferred to the Republic of India de facto.
| mammal = [[Indian palm squirrel]]<ref name="symbols"/>
| bird = [[Koel]]<ref name="symbols"/>
| flower = [[Cannonball tree|Cannonball tree flower]]<ref name="symbols"/>
| tree = [[Bael fruit tree]]<ref name="symbols">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/21/stories/2007042103560200.htm |title=Tamil Nadu News : Puducherry comes out with list of State symbols |date=21 April 2007 |access-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104225327/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/21/stories/2007042103560200.htm |archive-date=4 January 2013 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

'''Puducherry''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ʊ|d|ᵿ|ˈ|tʃ|ɛr|i}} {{respell|PUU|duu|CHERR|ee}}; [[Tamil language|Tamil]]: {{transliteration|ta|ISO|Putuccēri}} {{IPA|ta|pʊðʊˈtːɕeːɾi|}}.}} also known as '''Poudouchéry'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://styandptg.py.gov.in/2025/JANUARY/ORDINARY/1/OG%2001%20Dated%2007-01-2025.pdf |title=La Gazette de L' État de Poudouchéry |work=styandptg.py.gov.in |date=7 January 2025 |access-date=6 January 2026 }}</ref> or '''Pondicherry''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɒ|n|d|ᵻ|ˈ|tʃ|ɛr|i}} {{respell|PON|dih|CHERR|ee}}; Tamil: {{transliteration|ta|ISO|Pāṇṭiccēri}} {{IPA|ta|paːɳɖiˈtːɕeːɾi|}}.}} is a [[union territory]] of [[India]], consisting of four small geographically unconnected districts. It was formed out of four territories of former [[French India]], namely [[Puducherry district|Pondichéry]] (now Puducherry), [[Karaikal district|Karikal]] (Karaikal), [[Mahé district|Mahé]] and [[Yanaon]] (now [[Yanam district|Yanam]]), excluding [[Chandannagar]] (Chandernagore), and it is named after the largest district, Puducherry, which was also the capital of French India. Historically known as Pondicherry, the territory [[Renaming of cities in India|changed its official name]] to Puducherry on 1 October 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15932/1/the_pondicherry_%28alteration_of_name%29_act%2C_2006.pdf |title=THE PONDICHERRY (ALTERATION OF NAME) ACT, 2006 |work=India Code |date=13 September 2006 |access-date=6 January 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5365248.stm |title=South Asia | New name for old French territory |work=BBC News |date=20 September 2006 |access-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222055544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5365248.stm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082207481000.htm |title=National : Bill to rename Pondicherry as Puducherry passed |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=22 August 2006 |access-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021123517/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082207481000.htm |archive-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Union Territory of Puducherry lies in the [[South India|southern part]] of the Indian Peninsula. The areas of [[Puducherry district]] and [[Karaikal district]] are bound by the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], while [[Yanam district]] and [[Mahé district]] are enclosed by the states of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]], respectively. Puducherry is the 29th most populous of the 36 states and union territories of India, and the third most densely populated union territory. It has a gross domestic product (GDP) of {{INRConvert|390|b}} and ranks [[List of Indian states by GDP|25th in India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=State Domestic Product and other aggregates, 2004–05 series |url=http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/State-wise%20SDP-27.02.2015.xls |publisher=Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation |access-date=18 June 2015|archive-date=23 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323115356/http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/State-wise%20SDP-27.02.2015.xls|date=27 February 2015}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name ''Puducherry'' is a compound of the Tamil words {{lang|ta-Latn|putu}} ({{lang|ta|புது}}) and {{lang|ta-Latn|cēri}} ({{lang|ta|சேரி}}) meaning 'new settlement'; its old name ''Pondicherry'' is a [[gallicised]] version of {{lang|ta-Latn|Pāṇḍi-cēri}} ({{lang|ta|பாண்டிச்சேரி}}) meaning 'settlement of Pandis'.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

== History ==
{{Main|History of Puducherry}}
The earliest recorded history of the [[Puducherry (city)|municipality of Puducherry]] can be traced to the second century CE. The ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' mentions a marketplace named ''Poduke or Poduka'' (ch 60). [[G. W. B. Huntingford]] suggested this might be a site about 2 miles from the modern Puducherry, which was possibly the location of [[Arikamedu]] (now part of [[Ariyankuppam]]). Huntingford noted that Roman pottery was found at Arikamedu in 1937. In addition, [[archeology|archaeological]] excavations between 1944 and 1949 showed that it was "a trading station to which goods of Roman manufacture were imported during the first half of the 1st century" Subsequent investigation by Vimala Begley from 1989 to 1992 modified this assessment, and now place the period of occupation from the third or second century BCE to the eighth century CE.<ref>
{{cite web |title=The Dating of Arikamedu and its Bearing on the Archaeology of Early Historical South India |author=Vimala Begley |url=http://utilisateurs.linguist.univ-paris-diderot.fr/~chevilla/FestSchrift/V_Beg_3x.pdf |access-date=1 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100834/http://utilisateurs.linguist.univ-paris-diderot.fr/~chevilla/FestSchrift/V_Beg_3x.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}
</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea: Travel and Trade in the Indian Ocean by a Merchant of the First Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZoZwPQAACAAJ|date=2007|publisher=Kessinger Publishing|isbn=978-0-548-20943-1|page=119|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517054619/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZoZwPQAACAAJ|archive-date=17 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:French India 1815.gif|left|thumb|French Indian Colonies in 1815]]
In 1674, the municipality of Pondicherry (Pondichéry) became a colony in the [[French colonial empire]]. Together with [[Chandannagar|Chandernagor]] (already French since 1673), [[Mahé, Puducherry|Mahé]] (since 1721), [[Yanam]] ([[Yanaon]]) (since 1723), [[Karaikal]] (Karikal) (since 1739) and [[Masulipatam]] (1760), it formed the colony of [[French India]], under a single French governor in Pondicherry, although French rule over one or more of these enclaves was repeatedly interrupted by [[United Kingdom|British]] occupations. The territories of French India were completely transferred to the Republic of India ''[[de facto]]'' on 1 November 1954, and ''[[de jure]]'' on 16 August 1962, when French India ceased to exist, becoming the present Indian union territory of Pondicherry, combining four coastal enclaves. The fifth, [[Chandannagar]], merged with the state of [[West Bengal]] in 1954. Immediately after the ''de facto'' transfer, the area was renamed the 'State of Pondicherry' by the "French Establishments (Change of Name) Order, 1954" issued by the [[Ministry of External Affairs of India]].<ref name="CriminalJustice2005">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Axfuc5A8mxMC|title=Criminal Justice India Series: Pondicherry|section= D.Banerjea|volume=20|publisher=Allied Publishers|year=2005|isbn=978-8177648713}}</ref>{{rp|37}} The State of Pondicherry continued to be under the direct control of the [[Government of India]] under the aegis of the Ministry of External affairs until 31 August 1964. Meanwhile, with effect from 1 July 1963, the State of Pondicherry officially became the Union Territory of Pondicherry and after 31 August 1964 it came under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.<ref name="CriminalJustice2005"/>{{rp|37}}

Until 2016, the ''de jure transfer day'' (i.e. 16 August) was a public holiday with no official celebrations taking place.<ref name=newsminute>{{cite news |last=Mathew |first=Pheba |date=16 August 2016 |title=Liberated from France 55 years ago, Puducherry celebrated 'De Jure Day' for the first time ever |url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/liberated-france-55-years-ago-puducherry-celebrates-de-jure-day-first-time-ever-48445 |work= The News Minute |access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref><ref name=DejureTransferDay2021>{{cite web|date=16 August 2016 |title=68th De Facto Merger Day of Puducherry to Be Celebrated on November 1 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/68th-de-facto-merger-day-of-puducherry-to-be-celebrated-on-november-1-4387469.html|publisher= News18 |access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref> In 2016, [[List of lieutenant governors of Puducherry|Lt. Governor of Puducherry]], [[Kiran Bedi]], made it a holiday as "De Jure Transfer Day."

Since 2010, ''de facto transfer day'' (i.e. 1 November) has been celebrated as Liberation day throughout Puducherry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Puducherry to celebrate 'Formation Day' on Nov 1|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Puducherry-to-celebrate-lsquoFormation-Dayrsquo-on-Nov-1/article15798191.ece|work=The Hindu|date=1 November 2010|accessdate=9 August 2022}}</ref> In 2014, Liberation day was declared as a public Holiday. This initiative was taken shortly after the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government came to power in 2014 and newly appointed Lt. Governor [[A. K. Singh]] issued a notification regarding that decision of the central government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/november-1-is-liberation-day/article6364429.ece|title=November 1 is Liberation Day|date=30 August 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|access-date=8 August 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Puducherry Map.svg|thumb|left|Map showing the districts of Puducherry]]
{{further|List of rivers of Puducherry}}
The Union Territory of Puducherry consists of [[List of districts of Puducherry|four small unconnected districts]]: [[Puducherry district]] ({{cvt|293|sqkm|sqmi|disp=or}}), [[Karaikal district]] ({{cvt|161|sqkm|sqmi|disp=or}}) and [[Yanam district]] ({{cvt|20|sqkm|sqmi|disp=or}}) on the [[Bay of Bengal]] and [[Mahé district]] ({{cvt|9|sqkm|sqmi|disp=or}}) on the [[Laccadive Sea]], covering a total area of {{cvt|483|sqkm|sqmi}}. Puducherry and Karaikal have the largest areas and population, and are both [[enclaves]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Kerala]], respectively. Its population, as per the [[2011 Census of India|2011 Census]], is 1,394,467. Puducherry is the smallest union territory in terms of sea coastline with 30.6 km length.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

Some of Puducherry's regions are themselves amalgamations of non-contiguous enclaves, often called "pockets" in India. The Puducherry region is made of 11 such pockets, some of which are very small and entirely surrounded by the territory of Tamil Nadu. Mahé region is made up of three pockets. This unusual geography is a legacy of the [[Colonialism|colonial period]] with Puducherry retaining the borders of former [[French India]].{{cn|date=March 2026}}

All four regions of Puducherry are located in the coastal region. Five rivers in [[Puducherry district]], seven in [[Karaikal district]], two in [[Mahé district]] and one in [[Yanam district]] drain into the sea, but none originates within the territory.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

==Districts==
* [[Puducherry district|Pondicherry district]] is an enclave of [[Tamil Nadu]], also serves as the capital of Union Territory of Puducherry.
* [[Karaikal district]] is an enclave of [[Tamil Nadu]].
* [[Mahé district]] is an enclave of [[Kerala]].
* [[Yanam district]] is an enclave of [[Andhra Pradesh]].

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=2,46,354|13=1911|14=2,57,179|15=1921|16=2,44,156|17=1931|18=2,58,628|19=1941|20=2,85,011|21=1951|22=3,17,253|23=1961|24=3,69,079|25=1971|26=4,71,707|27=1981|28=6,04,471|29=1991|30=8,07,785|31=2001|32=9,74,345|33=2011|34=12,47,953|35=2021|36=16,91,969|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=right}}{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Puducherry
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|color1 = DarkOrange
|value1 = 87.3
|label2 = [[Christianity]]
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|value2 = 6.3
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|color3 = Green
|value3 = 6.1
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 0.4
|color4 = Grey
}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], [[Hinduism]] is the major religion, adhered to by 87.3% of the population. Other religions practiced in the territory include [[Christianity]] (6.3%) and [[Islam]] (6.1%).<ref>{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Puducherry Hindu Muslim Population |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/state/34-puducherry.html |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=www.census2011.co.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Puducherry District Religion Data - Hindu/Muslim |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/district/482-puducherry.html |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=www.census2011.co.in}}</ref>

{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Language in Puducherry
| label1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| color1 = DarkOrange
| value1 = 88.22
| label2 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| color2 = DodgerBlue
| value2 = 5.96
| label3 = [[Malayalam]]
| color3 = Green
| value3 = 3.84
| label4 = Others
| value4 = 1.98
| color4 = Grey
}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] is the major language spoken by 88.22% of the population. Other languages spoken in the territory include [[Telugu language|Telugu]] (5.96%) and [[Malayalam]] (3.84%).{{cn|date=March 2026}}

== Government and administration ==

{{main|Puducherry Legislative Assembly|Pondicherry Municipal Council}}

{{See also|List of lieutenant governors of Puducherry|List of chief ministers of Puducherry|List of districts of Puducherry}}

[[File:Puducherry Electoral Constituencies Map.svg|thumb|Puducherry Assembly seats]]

Puducherry is a [[union territory]] of India rather than a state, which implies that governance and administration fall directly under federal authority. It is one of three union territories (with the [[Delhi|National Capital Territory of Delhi]] and [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]) entitled by a [[Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of India|special constitutional amendment]] to an elected legislative assembly and cabinet of ministers, thereby conveying partial statehood.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lankabbc.com/blog/tag/pondicherry |title=Lanka BBC Info Know Puducherry: Government Name Pondicherry As Puducherry |website=lankabbc.com |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202235835/https://lankabbc.com/blog/tag/pondicherry/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There has been some interest by the territory's government in receiving full statehood, but budgetary issues remain a consideration. Also, [[Mahe district|Mahe]] and [[Yanam district|Yanam]] may oppose such a change of status.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/jul/26/will-pondys-attempt-to-get-statehood-succeed-1848833.html|title=Will Pondy's attempt to get statehood succeed?|website=The New Indian Express|date=26 July 2018 }}</ref>

The central government is represented by the [[List of lieutenant governors of Puducherry|Lieutenant Governor]], who resides at the [[Raj Niwas, Pondicherry|Raj Nivas]] (Le Palais du Gouverneur) at the Park, the former palace of the French governor. The central government is more directly involved in the territory's financial well-being unlike states, which have a central grant that they administer. Consequently, Puducherry has at various times, enjoyed lower taxes, especially in the [[indirect taxation|indirect]] category.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

=== Special administration status ===

According to the Treaty of Cession of 1956, the [[French India|four territories of former French India]] territorial administration are permitted to make laws with respect to specific matters. In many cases, such legislation may require ratification from the federal government or the assent of the [[President of India]].{{cn|date=March 2026}}

Article II of the Treaty states:
<blockquote>{{lang|fr|Ces établissements conserveront le bénéfice du statut administratif spécial en vigueur avant le 1er novembre 1954. Toute modification constitutionnelle à ce statut ne pourra intervenir, le cas échéant, qu'après consultation de la population.}} (The Establishments will keep the benefit of the special administrative status which was in force prior to 1 November 1954. Any constitutional changes in this status which may be made subsequently shall be made after ascertaining the wishes of the people).</blockquote>

=== Languages ===
{{main|Official languages of Puducherry}}

The most widely spoken first language is [[Tamil language|Tamil]], which is native to {{sigfig|88.237|3}}% of the population. There are also speakers of [[Telugu language|Telugu]] ({{sigfig|5.9585|2}}%), [[Malayalam]] ({{sigfig|3.8448|2}}%) and [[Urdu]] ({{sigfig|0.6913|1}}%). The official languages of Puducherry are [[French language|French]],<ref name="1963assemblyresolution">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SbHeDwAAQBAJ|title=The Legacy of French Rule in India (1674–1954): An investigation of a process of Creolization|author= Animesh Rai|publisher= Institut français de Pondichéry|year=2020|isbn=979-1036549892 }}</ref> [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] (in [[Yanam district|Yanam]]), [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] (in [[Mahe district|Mahe]]) and [[English language|English]]. An official mention in [[Rajya Sabha]] Parliamentary debates during 2006 confirms that Puducherry has all these five languages as official.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwsNAQAAMAAJ |title=Parliamentary Debates: Official Report, Volume 208, Issues 18–19 |author=India. Parliament. Rajya Sabha |date=2006|page=263 |website=www.gstcouncil.gov.in |publisher=Council of States Secretariat |access-date=3 August 2022 |quote=}}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|caption=Distribution of languages in Union Territory of Puducherry (2011)<ref>{{Cite web | title=India - C-16: Population by mother tongue, Puducherry - 2011 | url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10218 | access-date=2025-04-07 | website=censusindia.gov.in}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] |value1 = 88.22 |color1 = royalblue
|label2 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]|value2 = 5.96 |color2 = green
|label3 = [[Malayalam]] |value3 = 3.84 |color3 = deeppink
|label4 = Others |value4 = 1.98 |color4 = gold
}}

==== Continuation of French ====
Even after the de facto transfer of the French Indian settlements in November 1954, [[French language|French]] continued to remain as the [[official language]] according to Article XXVIII of the {{lang|fr|[[Treaty establishing De Jure Cession of French Establishments in India|Traité de Cession]]}} (Treaty of Cession) of 1956.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

Article XXVIII of the Treaty states:
<blockquote>{{lang|fr|Le français restera langue officielle des Établissements aussi longtemps que les répresentants élus de la population n'auront pas pris une décision différente.}} (The French language shall remain the official language of the Establishments so long as the elected representatives of the people shall not decide otherwise).</blockquote>

The [[Official languages of Puducherry#1963 Resolution by Representative Assembly|1963 Pondicherry representative assembly resolution]] also voted for continuance of French as official language and addition of other languages spoken in Puducherry such as Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam along with English and Hindi.<ref name=1963assemblyresolution/>{{rp|151–152}}

==== Inclusion of other languages ====
Considering the 1956 Treaty of cession and 1963 Assembly resolution, the 1963 Union Territories Act reconfirmed the 1963 resolution that French shall continue to be used as an official language unless the legislative assembly decides otherwise. The 1963 act allowed provision for inclusion of more official languages. Two years later, new official languages were recognised by The Pondicherry Official Language Act, 1965 which makes no mention of French (but also not officially denying it) implying the implicit continuation of its official language status. The same act stated that the Tamil language shall be the language to be used for all or any of the official purposes of the Union territory and the same official recognition is given for English. The same act also recognized officially Malayalam and Telugu in the Mahé and Yanam districts respectively.<ref name="1965act" />

The widespread [[anti-Hindi agitations]] in the mid-1960s in South India would have prompted for inclusion of all the languages suggested in the 1963 assembly resolution except Hindi in the list of official languages of Puducherry. While the Union Territory official gazette's name is in French ({{lang|fr|La Gazette de L'État de Poudouchéry}}), it is published exclusively in English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gstcouncil.gov.in/sites/default/files/sgst-notification/PUD-(R)-(18)-9.pdf |title=La Gazette de L'État de Poudouchéry The Gazette of Puducherry |author= |date=25 January 2018 |website=www.gstcouncil.gov.in |publisher= |access-date=30 June 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

=== Judiciary ===
The jurisdiction of the [[Madras High Court]] has been extended to Pondicherry with effect from 6 November 1962.<ref>Pondicherry (Administration) Act of 1962</ref> The [[Chief Justice]] of the Madras High Court is the head of the judiciary of Puducherry. The present chief justice is [[Sanjay V. Gangapurwala|S. V. Gangapurwala]].<ref>{{cite news |date=22 May 2023 |title=Justice Munishwar Math Bhandari takes oath as acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court |language=en |work=DT Next |url=https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s35d6646aad9bcc0be55b2c82f69750387/uploads/2022/12/2022121132.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725060022/https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s35d6646aad9bcc0be55b2c82f69750387/uploads/2022/12/2022121132.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=Justice S V Gangapurwala appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Bombay High Court |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/justice-s-v-gangapurwala-acting-chief-justice-bombay-high-court-8319889/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Economy ==

The gross domestic product of Puducherry, at market prices estimated by the [[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]] with figures in millions of [[Indian rupee]]s grew from 1,840 to 258,190 million rupees from 1980 to 2014.{{cn|date=March 2026}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Gross domestic product{{Clarify|date=June 2019}}
|-
| 1980 || 1,840
|-
| 1985 || 3,420
|-
| 1990 || 6,030
|-
| 1995 || 13,200
|-
| 2000 || 37,810
|-
| 2010 || 130,920
|-
| 2014 || 258,190<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://statisticstimes.com/economy/economy-of-puducherry.php|title=Economy of Puducherry - StatisticsTimes.com|website=statisticstimes.com|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715221222/http://statisticstimes.com/economy/economy-of-puducherry.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southasiaathudson.org/indian-states-1/2016/4/5/puducherry|title=Union Territory of Puducherry|website=South Asia Program at Hudson Institute|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803053937/http://www.southasiaathudson.org/indian-states-1/2016/4/5/puducherry|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[[List of Indian states by GDP]]</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2019}}
|}

===Fisheries===
The potential for [[fishery|fisheries]] is substantial in the Union Territory. The four regions of the Union Territory have a coastline of 45 km with {{var|675|km2}} of inshore waters, {{convert|1.347|ha}} of inland water and 800 ha of [[brackish water]]. 27 marine fishing villages and 23 inland fishing villages host a fishermen population of about 65,000 of which 13,000 are actively engaged in fishing. Tanks and ponds are also tapped for commercial fish rearing.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Puducherry}}

Puducherry is one of the most popular tourist spots in India for national and international tourists. Puducherry was the residence of [[Sri Aurobindo]] (1872–1950) and the [[Sri Aurobindo Ashram]] still operates from Puducherry. A unique experimental city [[Auroville]], the brainchild of [[Mirra Alfassa|the Mother]], whose inhabitants are drawn from all parts of the world is situated on the outskirts of the city. There are several temples, churches, monuments, parks, and mosques which attract tourists.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
Puducherry Park Monument.JPG|[[Aayi Mandapam (monument)]]
File:Puducherry Coast.jpg|Puducherry Coast view
File:Mahe Boat House.jpg|Mahe riverside
File:A camel on the beach in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India.jpg|A camel on the beach in Puducherry, India
File:Karaikal Church.jpg|Karaikal church
File:Puducherry Immaculate Conception Cathedral retouched.jpg|[[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pondicherry|Immaculate Conception Cathedral]]
File:Karaikal main road.JPG|Downtown Karaikal
File:Microcarbo niger (Vieillot, 1817) (48917851913).jpg|[[Oussudu Bird Sanctuary]]
File:Karaikal-Grand Masjid.jpg|Karaikal Periyapalli
File:Karaikal Beach JEG2444.JPG|Karaikal Beach
</gallery>

==Transportation==

=== Rail ===
[[File:Puducherry train station.JPG|thumbnail|[[Pondicherry railway station|Puducherry railway station]]]]
Puducherry is connected by a railway branch line from the five-way junction at [[Viluppuram]] and [[Chennai]]. The railway line is a [[broad gauge]] line with 16 originating trains and 17 terminating trains.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/puducherry-pondicherry-pdy/1232|title=Pondicherry Station - 16 Train Departures SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry|last=karthik|website=indiarailinfo.com|access-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817161727/https://indiarailinfo.com/departures/puducherry-pondicherry-pdy/1232|archive-date=17 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meanwhile [[Karaikal district|Karaikal]] and [[Mahé district|Mahe]] also well connected by railway lines. [[Peralam–Karaikal line|Several railway lines]] are also under construction in [[Karaikal district]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rajaram|first=R.|date=2021-02-05|title=Karaikal-Peralam railway line project gets an impetus|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/karaikal-peralam-railway-line-project-gets-an-impetus/article33761412.ece|access-date=2021-05-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The nearest major railway station to Yanam is [[Kakinada Town railway station|Kakinada]] (CCT) in Andhra Pradesh (33 KM).{{cn|date=March 2026}}

=== Air ===
Puducherry has an airport called [[Pondicherry Airport|Puducherry Airport]]. It has flight operations between Puducherry and Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Puducherry airport becomes AAI's first 100% solar-powered airport - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/puducherry-airport-becomes-aais-first-100-solar-powered-airport/articleshow/78464506.cms|access-date=2021-05-12|website=The Times of India|date=3 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A new airport is proposed in Karaikal which is called as [[Karaikal Airport]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-03-04|title=Greenfield airport at Karaikal waiting to take wings|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/greenfield-airport-at-karaikal-waiting-to-take-wings/article30979514.ece|access-date=2021-05-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The nearest airport to Yanam is [[Rajahmundry Airport]] ([[IATA airport code|IATA]]: RJA, [[ICAO airport code|ICAO]]: VORY), 90 KM away.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

=== Sea ===
Puducherry U.T. has several ports namely Karaikal port, Puducherry port, Mahe port. Among them, the largest port is [[Karaikal Port]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=India's Largest Private Port to Handle large Vessels and Diverse Cargo Mix|url=https://karaikalport.com/|access-date=2021-05-12|website=karaikalport.com}}</ref>

=== Road ===
{{Main|Pondicherry District road network}}

{{further|Puducherry Road Transport Corporation}}
Puducherry has a network all-weather metalled roads connecting the territory. Puducherry has a road length of 2,552 km (road length per 4.87 km2), the highest in the country. [[Puducherry Road Transport Corporation|PRTC]] buses play a vital role in Puducherry U.T.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="4" | Road length comparison with Tamil Nadu and India as a whole
|-
! colspan="3" | Total road length (in Puducherry)
| 2,552 km
|-
! rowspan="2" | Road length per 1000 km2
! Puducherry
! Tamil Nadu
! India
|-
| 4,575
| 1,572
| 663
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Classification of roads
! Type of road
! Length (km)
|-
| align="left" | National highways || 64.450
|-
| align="left" | State highways || 49.304
|-
| align="left" | District and other roads {{blist|Puducherry– 173.384| [[Karaikal]]– 55.162| [[Mahé, India|Mahé]]– 19.622| [[Yanam]]– 26.460}} || '''274.628'''
|-
| align="left" | Rural roads {{blist|Puducherry–164.964| [[Karaikal]]– 83.470}} || '''248.434'''
|-
!Total length|| 636.816
|}

== Education ==
[[File:JIPMER admin block.jpg|thumb|[[Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research]]]]
{{main|List of educational institutions in Puducherry}}

According to the 2011 census, Puducherry had a literacy rate of 86.55.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/india/Final_PPT_2011_chapter6.pdf|title=Ranking of states and union territories by literacy rate: 2011|publisher=Government of India|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706191931/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/india/Final_PPT_2011_chapter6.pdf|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pondicherry University]] is a university centrally located in Puducherry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pondicherry University |url=http://www.pondiuni.edu.in/about_uni.htm |publisher=Pondicherry University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425174938/http://www.pondiuni.edu.in/about_uni.htm |archive-date=25 April 2011 }}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
{{in popular culture|date=December 2020}}
* Puducherry was the setting for [[Yann Martel]]'s first third of his [[Booker Prize]]-winning novel ''[[Life of Pi]]'' (2001). A portion of the subsequent [[Life of Pi (film)|film adaptation]] was filmed there.<ref name=IMDBLifeofPi>{{cite web|title=Filming Locations|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/locations|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=3 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201104912/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454876/locations|archive-date=1 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Lee Langley]]'s novel ''A House in Pondicherry'' (1996) was set there.
* Prince Pondicherry is an Indian character from [[Roald Dahl]]'s children's novel ''[[Charlie and the Chocolate Factory]]'' (1964). The prince orders [[Willy Wonka]] to build a palace of chocolate in [[India]]; the palace melts in the hot sun.

==Tourism==
{{Main|Tourism in Puducherry}}

Pondicherry is the capital city of The Union Territory of Puducherry and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. A French colony until 1954, its old town retains a number of [[colonial architecture]] buildings, churches, statues, and systematic town planning, as well great influences from the local Tamil architecture. Due to its coastal situation, this town offers a vast array of watersport events and watersport based tourism such as boating, kayaking, etc.{{cn|date=March 2026}}

===Tourism in Karaikal===
'''Thirunallar Temple'''
{{main|Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar Temple}}

The Dharbaranyeswarar Temple, popularly known as Tirunallar Saniswaran Temple, is one of the [[Navagraha]] shrines of Tanjore. This Hindu temple dedicated to the deities Shiva and [[Shani]] (Saturn), is located in the Thirunallar commune of Karaikal district.

===Tourism in Mahe===
'''Mooppenkunnu (Hillock)'''
The Mooppenkunnu is a [[Hillock]]. It is a Heritage picnic spot situated in Mahé district. The hillock contains the historic Light House and is a famous sunset view point.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mahe.gov.in/tourist-place/tp-hillock/|title=Hillock (Mooppenkunnu) | Mahe | India}}</ref>

'''Walkway'''
[[File:Mahe Boat House.jpg|thumb| ]]
The walkway is located on the banks of [[Mahé River]] is one of the major tourist attraction of the district. The walkway surrounds around the landscape of the Mahé town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mahe.gov.in/tourist-place/tp-walkway/|title=Walkway | Mahe | India}}</ref>

'''Azhimukham'''
Azhimukham is the estuary of [[Mahe River|Mahé River]] and the Arabian Sea. It consists of Tagore Park and a 2 km walkway along the bank of river from the estuary towards Mahé Bridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mahe.gov.in/tourist-place/tp-azhimukham/|title=Azhimukham | Mahe | India}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Geography|Asia|India}}
* [[Puducherry (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
* [[Puducherry Legislative Assembly]]
* [[Chandannagar]]
* [[Compagnie des Indes (disambiguation)|Compagnie des Indes]]
* [[French colonial empire]]
* [[Municipal Administration in French India]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Pondicherry (union territory)}}
{{commons category|Puducherry (union territory)}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://www.py.gov.in/ Official website of the Government of the Union Territory of Puducherry]
* [http://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5302/Treaty+establishing+De+Jure+Cession+of+French+Establishments+in+India Treaty establishing De Jure Cession of French Establishments in India]
* [http://tourism.puducherry.gov.in/ Official website of Department of Tourism, Pondicherry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515172229/http://tourism.puducherry.gov.in/ |date=15 May 2017 }}
* [https://www.pondicherrymedia.com/ Official website of Pondicherry Media, Pondicherry]
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
{{Puducherry}}
{{States and territories of India}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Puducherry| ]]
[[Category:South India|.]]
[[Category:Union territories of India]]
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[[Category:Countries and territories where French is an official language]]
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[[Category:States and territories established in 1963]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in India]]
[[Category:States and union territories of India]]
[[Category:Subnational enclaves and exclaves in India]]

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Puducherry (union territory)