Puducherry (union territory) - Revision history

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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	~~{{Portal\|Geography\|Asia\|India}}~~
	* [[Puducherry (Lok Sabha constituency)]]		* [[Puducherry (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
	* [[Chandannagar]]		* [[Chandannagar]]

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	\| module = {{Infobox place symbols\| embedded=yes		\| module = {{Infobox place symbols\| embedded=yes
	\| region = Puducherry		\| region = Puducherry
	~~\| flag = [[File:Indian Territory flag of Puducherry (proposed).png\|50px\|left]] [[Flag of Puducherry]]~~
	\| emblem = [[File:Seal of Puducherry.svg\|50px\|left]] [[Emblem of Puducherry]]		\| emblem = [[File:Seal of Puducherry.svg\|50px\|left]] [[Emblem of Puducherry]]
	\| country = India		\| country = India

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	\| native_name =		\| native_name =
	\| type = [[Union territory]]		\| type = [[Union territory]]
	\| image_flag = ~~Indian Territory flag of Puducherry (proposed).png~~		\| image_flag =
	\| flag_type = ~~Flag~~		\| flag_type =
	\| flag_size = ~~125px~~		\| flag_size
			=
	\| image_blank_emblem = Seal of Puducherry.svg		\| image_blank_emblem = Seal of Puducherry.svg
	\| anthem = [[Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)\|Tamil Thai Valthu]]		\| anthem = [[Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)\|Tamil Thai Valthu]]

2A00:23C5:8D98:E201:54E:27DF:2468:826E at 02:26, 17 October 2021

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	\| native_name =		\| native_name =
	\| type = [[Union territory]]		\| type = [[Union territory]]
			\| image_flag = Indian Territory flag of Puducherry (proposed).png
			\| flag_type = Flag
			\| flag_size = 125px
	\| image_blank_emblem = Seal of Puducherry.svg		\| image_blank_emblem = Seal of Puducherry.svg
	\| anthem = [[Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)\|Tamil Thai Valthu]]		\| anthem = [[Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)\|Tamil Thai Valthu]]
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	\| module = {{Infobox place symbols\| embedded=yes		\| module = {{Infobox place symbols\| embedded=yes
	\| region = Puducherry		\| region = Puducherry
			\| flag = [[File:Indian Territory flag of Puducherry (proposed).png\|50px\|left]] [[Flag of Puducherry]]
	\| emblem = [[File:Seal of Puducherry.svg\|50px\|left]] [[Emblem of Puducherry]]		\| emblem = [[File:Seal of Puducherry.svg\|50px\|left]] [[Emblem of Puducherry]]
	\| country = India		\| country = India

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Created page with "{{short description|Union territory of India}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name..."

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{{short description|Union territory of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Puducherry
| other_name =
| image_skyline = {{photomontage
| photo1a = Rock beach aerial view.jpg
| photo2a = Image pondicherry.jpg
| photo2b = Matrimandir, Soul of the Auroville, near Pondicherry.JPG
| photo3b = Long exposure shot of Beach road near Pondicherry harbour.jpg
| spacing = 2
| position = centre
| size = 300
| border = 0
| color =
}}
| image_caption = Clockwise from the top: [[Promenade Beach]], [[Matrimandir]], Pondicherry harbour, Beach in Pondicherry
| native_name =
| type = [[Union territory]]
| image_blank_emblem = Seal of Puducherry.svg
| anthem = [[Tamil Thai Valthu (Puducherry)|Tamil Thai Valthu]]
| blank_emblem_type = Emblem
| blank_emblem_size = 125px
| image_map = IN-PY.svg
| map_caption = Location of Puducherry (marked in red) in [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|11.911082|79.812533|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 = [[South India]]
| established_title1 = Formation
| established_date1 = 1 November 1954
(16 August 1962 as a UT)
| seat_type = Capital and Largest city
| seat = [[Pondicherry]]
| parts_type = [[List of Indian districts|Districts]]
| parts_style = para
| p1 = [[List of districts of Puducherry|4]]
| leader_title = [[List of lieutenant governors of Puducherry|Lieutenant Governor]]
| leader_name = [[Tamilisai Soundararajan]] [[Additional Charge]]
| leader_title1 = [[Chief Ministers of Puducherry|Chief Minister]]
| leader_name1 = [[N. Rangaswamy]] ([[All India NR Congress|AINRC]])
| area_total_km2 = 483
| area_rank = [[List of states and territories of India by area|34th]]
| population_total = 1,394,467
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank = [[List of states and territories of India by population|29th]]
| population_demonym = Puducherrian, Pondicherrian, Pondian
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN CODE]]
| postal_code = 6050(01)-(14)
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-PY]]
| registration_plate = PY 01, PY 02, PY 03, PY 04, PY 05
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_title2 = Additional
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Indian English|English]], [[Indian French|French]]<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 |website=lawsofindia.org |publisher=Laws of India |access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| demographics1_info2 = [[Malayalam]]'' (in [[Mahé district|Mahé]])'', [[Telugu language|Telugu]] ''(in [[Yanam district|Yanam]])''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://districts.ecourts.gov.in/pondicherry/history |title=Official Languages of Pondicherry - E-Courts Mission, Government of India |access-date=12 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402195506/http://ecourts.gov.in/pondicherry/history |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref>
| footnotes = {{note|leg|*}} 30 elected, 3 nominated
| leader_title2 = [[Chief Secretary (India)|Chief Secretary]]
| leader_name2 = Ashwani Kumar, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/new-chief-secretary-assumes-charge/article7288665.ece|title=New Chief Secretary assumes charge|last=Varma|first=M. Dinesh|date=6 June 2015|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref>
| leader_title3 = [[Director General of Police]]
| leader_name3 = Balaji Srivastava, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
| leader_title4 = [[Puducherry Legislative Assembly|Legislature]]
| leader_name4 = [[Unicameral]] (33{{ref|leg|*}}seats) <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>
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] {{nobold|(2018)}}
| blank_info_sec1 = {{increase}}0.738 (High) •[[List of Indian states and territories by Human Development Index|7th]]
| website = [https://www.py.gov.in www.py.gov.in]
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| region = Puducherry
| emblem = [[File:Seal of Puducherry.svg|50px|left]] [[Emblem of Puducherry]]
| country = India
| mammal = [[File:Funambulus palmarum (Bengaluru).jpg|50px|left]] [[Indian palm squirrel]] (Funambulus palmarum)<ref name="symbols"/>
| bird =[[File:Asian koel.jpg|50px|left]] [[Koel]] (Eudynamys scolopaceus)<ref name="symbols"/>
| flower = [[File:Lingam Flower.jpg|50px|left]] [[Cannonball tree|Cannonball tree flower]]<ref name="symbols"/>
| tree =[[File:Bael (Aegle marmelos) tree at Narendrapur W IMG 4116.jpg|50px|left]] [[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''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ʊ|d|ᵿ|ˈ|tʃ|ɛr|i}}), also known as '''Pondicherry''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|ɒ|n|d|ᵻ|ˈ|tʃ|ɛr|i}}), is a [[States and union territories of India|union territory]] of India. It was formed out of four territories of former [[French India]], namely [[Puducherry district|Pondichéry]] (Pondicherry; now Puducherry), [[Karaikal district|Karikal]] (Karaikal), [[Mahé district|Mahé]] and [[Yanaon]] ([[Yanam]]), excluding [[Chandannagar]]. It is named after the largest district, Puducherry. Historically known as Pondicherry ({{transl|ta|ISO|Pāṇṭiccēri}}), the territory [[Renaming of cities in India|changed its official name]] to Puducherry on 20 September 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://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 and the third most densely populated of the states and union territories of India. It has a gross domestic product (GDP) of {{INRConvert|210|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>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Puducherry}}
The earliest recorded history of the [[Pondicherry|municipality of Puducherry]] can be traced to the second century AD. The ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' mentions a marketplace named ''Poduke'' (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 BC to the eighth century AD.<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=July 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>

In 1674, the municipality of Pondicherry (Pondichéry) became a French colony of the [[French colonial empire]]. Together with [[Chandannagar|Chandernagor]] (already French since 1673), [[Mahé, Puducherry|Mahé]] (since 1721), [[Yanam]] ([[Yanaon]]) (since 1731), [[Karaikal]] (Karikal) (since 1739) and [[Masulipatam]] (1760), it formed the French 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 constituent union territory of Pondicherry, combining four coastal enclaves (with the exception of [[Chandannagar]], which merged with the state of [[West Bengal]] in 1954).

==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 1,244,464.

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]].

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.

===Districts of Union Territory of Puducherry===

* [[Puducherry district]] is an enclave of [[Tamil Nadu]].
* [[Karaikal district]] is also 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|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 = 87.30
|label2 = [[Christianity]]
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|value2 = 6.29
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|color3 = Green
|value3 = 6.05
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 0.36
|color4 = Chartreuse
}}

[[Hinduism]] is the major religion with 87.3% of the population adhering to it. Other religions include [[Christianity]] (6.29%) and [[Islam]] (6.05%).<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>

== Government and administration ==

{{main|Puducherry Legislative Assembly|Puducherry 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. However, Puducherry is one of the three union territories in India (the other being [[Delhi|National Capital Territory of Delhi]] and [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]) that is entitled by a [[Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of India|special constitutional amendment]] to have an elected legislative assembly and a 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 and 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}}</ref>

The Centre is represented by the [[List of lieutenant governors of Puducherry|Lieutenant Governor]], who resides at the 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.

=== 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]].

Article II of the Treaty states:
<blockquote>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 article|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|3}}%), [[Malayalam]] ({{sigfig|3.8448|3}}%) and [[Urdu]] ({{sigfig|0.6913|2}}%).

[[French language|French]] was the [[official language]] according to Article XXVIII of the ''[[Treaty establishing De Jure Cession of French Establishments in India|Traité de Cession]] (Treaty of Cession) of 1956''. According to the treaty, "''the French language shall remain the official language of the Establishments so long as the elected representatives of the people shall not decide otherwise''".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/GovernmentUnionterritoriesAct1963.pdf|title=The Government of Union Territories Act, 1963|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|access-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011621/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/GovernmentUnionterritoriesAct1963.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Puducherry code volume 1|url=http://py.gov.in/portalapp/citizens/actsrules/LAWVOL1.pdf|publisher=Government of Puducherry|access-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925050612/https://www.py.gov.in/portalapp/citizens/actsrules/LAWVOL1.pdf|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> After independence, the new official languages were recognised by The Pondicherry Official Language Act, 1965 (Act No. 3 of 1965) which makes no mention of French (but also not officially denying it)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ecourts.gov.in/pondicherry/history |title=History |publisher=District Court of Puducherry |access-date=12 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402195506/http://ecourts.gov.in/pondicherry/history |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This 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".<ref name="1965act" /> It also provides for the use of the Malayalam and Telugu languages in the Mahé and Yanam districts. The law also states that English "may be used for all or any of the official purposes of the Union territory".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cidif.go1.cc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84:0390-le-francais-a-pondichery-par-roland-breton&catid=25:lettre-nd22&Itemid=3|title=06-Le français à Pondichéry, par Roland Breton|author=CIDIF|work=go1.cc|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409112352/http://cidif.go1.cc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84:0390-le-francais-a-pondichery-par-roland-breton&catid=25:lettre-nd22&Itemid=3|archive-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> While the Union Territory official gazette's name is in French (''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 |website=gstcouncil.gov.in |access-date=21 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Through the ''1963 Union Territories Act'', Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam became official languages used region-wide.

== Economy ==

The gross domestic product of Puducherry, at market prices estimated by 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.
{| 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}}</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}}</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.

===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.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Pondicherry Legislative Assembly.jpg|Puducherry Legislative Assembly
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
File:Overview of Yanam.jpg|A bird's eye view of Yanam
File:Karaikal main road.JPG|Downtown Karaikal
</gallery>

==Transport==

=== 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> Mean while [[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>

=== Air ===
Puducherry has an airport called [[Pondicherry Airport|Puducherry airport]]. It has flight operations between Puducherry and Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite web|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|language=en}}</ref> A new airport is proposed in karaikal which is called as [[Karaikal Airport|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>

=== Sea ===
Puducherry U.T. has several ports namely Karaikal port, Puducherry port, Mahe port. Among them, 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|Road Network in Puducherry District}}
{{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]] busses plays a vital role in puducherry U.T.
[[File:Yanam Draksharamam Road.jpg|thumb|Yanam Draksharamam Road, Puducherry]]

{| 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
! Sl. No.
! Type of road
! Length (km)
|-
| 1 || align=left | National highways || 64.450
|-
| 2 || align=left | State highways || 49.304
|-
| 3 || align=left | District and other roads {{blist|Puducherry– 173.384| [[Karaikal]]– 55.162| [[Mahé, India|Mahé]]– 19.622| [[Yanam]]– 26.460}} || '''274.628'''
|-
|-
| 4 || align=left | Rural roads {{blist|Puducherry–164.964| [[Karaikal]]– 83.470}} || '''248.434'''
|-
! colspan=2 align=left | 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> Other educational institutions include [[Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research]] (JIPMER), Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (Government of Puducherry), Mahathma gandhi post graduate institute of dental science[GOVT OF PUDUCHERRY], Tagore Arts and Science College, Indira Gandhi College of Arts and Science (Government of Puducherry), [[Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute]], [[National Institute of Technology, Puducherry]], [[Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Institute of Engineering and Technology]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pkiet.edu.in |title=Welcome to the Website of PKIET |publisher=Pkiet.edu.in |access-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217215809/http://www.pkiet.edu.in/ |archive-date=17 February 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Pondicherry Engineering College]], Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute of Health Sciences, Achariya College of Engineering Technology (ACET), [[Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology]], [[Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences]], Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College Hospital, Sri Ganesh College of Engineering and Technology, and [[Sri Venkateshwaraa Medical College Hospital and Research Centre]].

== 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.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Geography|Asia|India}}
* [[Puducherry (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
* [[Chandannagar]]
* [[French East India Company]]
* [[French colonial empire]]
* [[Municipal Administration in French India]]

== References ==
{{reflist|group=note}}
{{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]
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}
* [https://frenchbooksonindia.com/ Frenchbooksonindia.com an open access multilingual discovery tool on Pondicherry with book data from 1673 to 2020, full-text ebooks from 1531 to 1937 and in-text search from c. 1830 to c. 1920]
{{Puducherry}}
{{States and territories of India}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Puducherry| ]]
[[Category:South India|.]]
[[Category:Union territories of India]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Tamil-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1963]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in India]]
[[Category:States and union territories of India]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:36, 29 April 2026
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	\| image_seal = Emblem of the Government of Puducherry.png		\| image_seal = Emblem of the Government of Puducherry.png
	\| motto = [[Satyameva Jayate]] ([[Sanskrit]]) <br /> "Truth alone triumphs"{{force singular}}		\| motto = [[Satyameva Jayate]] ([[Sanskrit]]) <br /> "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> <br />"Prayer to Mother Tamil"		\| 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> <br />"Prayer to Mother Tamil"
	\| image_map = IN-PY.svg		\| image_map = IN-PY.svg
	\| coordinates = {{Coord\|11.911\|79.813\|region:IN-PY\|display=inline,title}}		\| coordinates = {{Coord\|11.911\|79.813\|region:IN-PY\|display=inline,title}}
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	\| bird = [[Koel]]<ref name="symbols"/>		\| bird = [[Koel]]<ref name="symbols"/>
	\| flower = [[Cannonball tree\|Cannonball tree flower]]<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>		\| 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>		'''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\|~~210~~\|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>		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==		==Etymology==
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	[[File:Puducherry Electoral Constituencies Map.svg\|thumb\|Puducherry Assembly seats]]		[[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>		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}}		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}}
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	==== Inclusion of other languages ====		==== 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" />		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=<!--Not stated--> \|date=25 January 2018 \|website=www.gstcouncil.gov.in \|publisher= \|access-date=30 June 2022 \|quote=}}</ref>		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=<!--Not stated--> \|date=25 January 2018 \|website=www.gstcouncil.gov.in \|publisher= \|access-date=30 June 2022 \|quote=}}</ref>
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	[[Category:Puducherry\| ]]		[[Category:Puducherry\| ]]
	[[Category:~~Southwest~~ India\|.]]		[[Category:South India\|.]]
	[[Category:Union territories of India]]		[[Category:Union territories of India]]
	[[Category:Countries and territories where English is an official language]]		[[Category:Countries and territories where English is an official language]]