Union territory (pop., 2001 prelim.: 973,829), India.
It was formed in 1962 from the four former French colonies of Pondicherry, Karikal, and Yanam, on the eastern seaboard, and Mahe, on the western seaboard. With a total area of 190 sq mi (492 sq km), it is one of the smallest of the union territories, united by little other than Hinduism . The city of Pondicherry is the administrative capital.