The territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishment Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam , which lie scattered in South India.
Puducherry, the capital of the territory was once the original headquarters of the French in India.
It was under the French rule for 138 years and merged with the Indian Union on 1st November 1954 and Puducherry became a union territory of India in 1962 by the 14th Constitutional Amendment.
About 150 km south of Puducherry on the East Coast lies Karaikal .
Mahe is situated on the Malabar coast on the Western Ghats surrounded by Kerala.
Yanam is situated adjoining the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
In 1963 , the Parliament enacted the Government of Union Territories Act which provides for Legislative Assemblies and Council of Ministers in the Union Territories.