west India
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a Union Territory in western India formed by merging the former Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It is not a geographically continuous territory: Dadra and Nagar Haveli is an inland area between Gujarat and Maharashtra, while Daman and Diu are coastal territories associated with the Arabian Sea region, Portuguese colonial heritage, tourism, fisheries and coastal governance.
Capital
Daman
Population
5.87 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
603 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
76.2%
Census of India 2011
Districts
3
State Profile
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu overview
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a western Indian Union Territory formed in 2020 by merging two former Union Territories. It is administratively one UT, but geographically separated: Dadra and Nagar Haveli is inland between Gujarat and Maharashtra, Daman is a coastal area near southern Gujarat, and Diu is an island/coastal territory near the Kathiawar or Saurashtra region.
Capital
Daman
Region
west
Population
5.87 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
603 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Daman
- Largest city
- Daman
- Region
- west
- Population
- 5.87 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 603 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Manufacturing, Small and medium industry, Tourism and hospitality, Fisheries
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is a strong UPSC case study for Union Territory administration without a Legislative Assembly, merger of territories and administrative consolidation.
- Its non-contiguous geography makes it useful for regional planning, service delivery, connectivity and coordination with neighbouring states.
- Its history links Portuguese colonial presence, delayed decolonisation, integration with India and the distinct histories of inland and coastal territories.
- Its society combines tribal communities, industrial workers, coastal communities, migration, Gujarati-Marathi-Hindi-Konkani influences and Portuguese-linked heritage.
- Its development themes include industrialisation, tourism, fisheries, tribal welfare, coastal regulation, land-use pressure, pollution control and sustainable planning.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Daman.
- Union Territory in western India.
- Formed in 2020 by merging the former Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- The Union Territory is not one continuous landmass.
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli is inland and lies between Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Daman is a coastal area near southern Gujarat along the Arabian Sea region.
- Diu is an island/coastal territory near the Kathiawar or Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
- The UT has no Legislative Assembly and is administered as a Union Territory under the Union Government framework.
- The Bombay High Court has jurisdiction over the Union Territory.
- Important map points: Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman, Diu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Arabian Sea and Saurashtra/Kathiawar.