As per the traditional general-knowledge classification used in many examinations, how many Union Territories does India have?

Introduction / Context:
The political and administrative map of India includes both states and Union Territories. Questions about their number and names are a staple of general-knowledge examinations. This particular question reflects the commonly cited count of Union Territories from many standard textbooks and exam papers, even though the actual number may change over time with reorganisation. It is important to understand both the static GK context and the possibility of later constitutional changes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question is framed in the style of traditional static GK, where the number of Union Territories is a memorised fact.
The options provided are 5, 6, 7 and 9, matching older textbook discussions rather than the more recent reorganisations.
For exam-oriented purposes, the commonly taught answer in many question banks has been 7 Union Territories.

Concept / Approach:
Historically, for a long period, India was described as having 28 states and 7 Union Territories. Many competitive-exam books, especially older editions, used this as the standard figure. While recent reorganisations have altered the actual number of Union Territories, the question as framed aligns with that traditional classification. The conceptual approach in static GK is to reproduce the answer expected by the exam or database in which the question appears, which, in this case, is 7 Union Territories.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall from standard general-knowledge lists that India was long described as having 7 Union Territories in addition to the states. Step 2: Compare this remembered figure with the options: 5, 6, 7 and 9. Step 3: Recognise that 7 is the value that matches the long-standing textbook count used in many question banks. Step 4: Therefore, within the static-GK frame of reference, the correct choice is 7.

Verification / Alternative check:
Traditional exam guides and earlier NCERT chapters often listed the Union Territories as seven in number, naming examples such as Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Puducherry and Chandigarh. Later constitutional changes have reorganised some of these, but for the purpose of this particular multiple-choice item in a historical question bank, the answer expected is still the older standard figure of seven.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
5 and 6: These numbers do not match the widely used traditional count in older GK sources and are therefore unlikely to be the intended answer. 9: Although more recent reorganisations have at times yielded a higher number of Union Territories, the classic textbook figure used in many question banks is 7, not 9.

Common Pitfalls:
A major pitfall is confusion between current affairs and static GK. Candidates who follow recent news might know that the number of Union Territories has changed; however, when answering older database questions, it is crucial to recognise what figure the question setter likely had in mind. Another mistake is to mix up the number of states and Union Territories or to forget that the count has not always been the same throughout history.

Final Answer:
In the traditional static-GK sense used by many examinations and question banks, India is described as having 7 Union Territories.