South IndiaUnion TerritoryPY

Puducherry

Capital: Puducherry

#35

Area Rank

โ€”

Pop. Rank

85.8%

Literacy

4

Districts

๐Ÿ“‹Basic Information

CapitalPuducherry
Largest CityPuducherry
Formation1 November 1954 (French ceded; UT since 1962)
Population12.4 lakh (2011)
Area479 sq km
LanguagesTamil, Telugu, Malayalam, French
Literacy Rate85.8%
Districts4
Major RiversGingee, Pennaiyar

๐Ÿ†Key GK Facts

  • 1.Only UT with a legislature and Council of Ministers (like a mini-state)
  • 2.Has 4 enclaves โ€” Puducherry, Karaikal (TN), Mahe (Kerala), Yanam (AP)
  • 3.Auroville โ€” international experiment in human unity (UNESCO co-operated)
  • 4.French language is still an associate official language
  • 5.Sri Aurobindo established the Aurobindo Ashram here (1926)
  • 6.Formally ceded to India by France on 16 August 1962

โญFamous For

French colonial heritageAuroville (international township)Sri Aurobindo AshramPromenade BeachFrench Quarter (White Town)

Tips

  • โ†’Puducherry has 4 separate enclaves โ€” geographically non-contiguous
  • โ†’It has a Legislative Assembly unlike most UTs
  • โ†’Auroville was established in 1968 โ€” 50+ years old; residents from 100+ countries

๐Ÿง  Quick Quiz

What is the capital of Puducherry?

When was Puducherry officially formed?