Puducherry
Capital: Puducherry
Leadership data compiled via web research in July 2026 — may not reflect the very latest reshuffles or appointments.
Briefing
Puducherry is a coastal Union Territory made up of several non-contiguous districts, formerly under French colonial rule, and its capital retains a distinctive French Quarter of colonial-era architecture. It is home to Auroville, an experimental international township, and its economy blends tourism, fishing, and small-scale industry. Unlike most Union Territories, Puducherry has its own elected Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister.
State Identity & Symbols
State Emblem
A lamp symbolising illumination and knowledge, alongside the Indian palm squirrel, the territory's state animal.
State Animal
Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum)
State Bird
Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)
State Flower
Cannonball tree flower / Nagalingam (Couroupita guianensis)
Images via Wikimedia Commons. Emblem: Government of Puducherry (Public domain). Animal: Yathin S Krishnappa (CC BY-SA 3.0). Bird: Challiyan (CC BY-SA 4.0). Flower: Fotokannan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Population
2011 Census figures.
Total Population
1,247,953
Male Population
612,511
Female Population
635,442
Sex Ratio
1037 females per 1000 males
Districts
Hover over a district to see its name.
Puducherry (capital district)
District boundaries adapted from udit-001/india-maps-data, based on Census of India 2011 district geometries.
Government
Lieutenant Governor
K. Kailashnathan
Chief Minister
N. Rangasamy
Council of Ministers
| Name | Rank | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| A. Namassivayam | Cabinet Minister | Home |
| Malladi Krishna Rao | Cabinet Minister | Portfolio allocation pending public announcement as of mid-2026 |
| P. Rajavelu | Cabinet Minister | Portfolio allocation pending public announcement as of mid-2026 |
| V. P. Sivakolundhu | Cabinet Minister | Portfolio allocation pending public announcement as of mid-2026 |
| G. N. S. Rajasekaran | Cabinet Minister | Portfolio allocation pending public announcement as of mid-2026 |
National Parks
No national parks in Puducherry.