States and Union Territories of India

Union and Its Territory (Articles 1 to 4) 

Part I of the Indian Constitution

• Articles 1 to 4 deal with the Union and its Territory.

Article 1 - Union of States

It describes India, that is, Bharat as a 'Union of States' rather than a 'Federation of States'

• India, that is Bharat, is described as a “Union of States”.
• India is not called a “Federation of States”.

Article 1 deals with: Name of the country, Nature of polity, Territorial area of India

Why is India called a “Union of States”

Two Reasons

• The Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement among states like the USA.
• States do not have the right to secede from the Union.

India is an indestructible Union of destructible States.

Territory of India vs Union of India

• Union of India - Includes only: States

Territory of India

• Includes: States, Union Territories & Territories that may be acquired in future

“Territory of India” is a wider expression than “Union of India”.

First Schedule of the Constitution Contains

• Names of States
• Names of Union Territories
• Their territorial extent

At present, there are 28 states and 9 union territories

Article 2 - Admission or Establishment of New States

Parliament has power

• To admit new states into the Union
• To establish new states

Difference

• Admission - States already in existence are admitted.
• Establishment - New states not existing earlier are created.

Article 3 - Reorganisation of States

Parliament can:

• Create a new state
• Increase or decrease area of a state
• Alter boundaries of a state
• Alter name of a state

Conditions under Article 3

1. Prior Recommendation of President

• A bill for these changes can be introduced only with the President’s recommendation.

2. Reference to State Legislature

• President refers the bill to the concerned state legislature for its views within a specified period.

Important Facts

• Parliament is not bound by the views of the state legislature.
• It may accept or reject the suggestions.

In case of Union Territories

• No need to consult the legislature.
• Parliament can redraw boundaries according to its will.

Nature of Article 3

• Deals with internal adjustment of territories among states.
• Shows Parliament’s wide power over states.

India is an “indestructible Union of destructible States.”

Article 4 - No Constitutional Amendment Needed

• Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 are not considered Constitutional Amendments under Article 368. Therefore, Such laws can be passed by: Simple Majority, Ordinary Legislative Proces.

One-Line Revision

• Article 1 → Union of States
• Article 2 → Admission/Establishment of New States
• Article 3 → Reorganisation of States
• Article 4 → No Constitutional Amendment Required

Berubari Union Case & Exchange of Territories

Berubari Union Case (West Bengal to Pakistan)

• Can Parliament transfer Indian territory to a foreign country using Article 3?
• Does the power to reduce the area of a state include the power to cede territory to another country?

Supreme Court Ruling (Berubari Case)

• The Supreme Court held that the power of Parliament to diminish the area of a state (under Article 3) does not cover cession of Indian territory to a foreign country.
• Hence, Indian territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by amending the Constitution under Article 368. 
• Response from Legislature The 9th Constitutional Amendment Act (1960) was enacted to transfer the said territory to Pakistan Supreme Court in 1969 
• SC ruled that, settlement of a boundary dispute between India and another country does not require a constitutional amendment 

In simple words: Article 3 allows Parliament to: Increase/decrease area of states, Change boundaries & Rename states But Article 3 does NOT allow: Transfer of Indian territory to a foreign country.

Indian territory can be ceded to another country only through Constitutional Amendment under Article 368.

Response of Legislature

Amendment	Purpose
9th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1960	Transferred Berubari Union territory to Pakistan

 Minor boundary adjustments can be done without amendment in some situations.

Exchange of Territories with Bangladesh

• 100th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015 - Transfer certain territories to Bangladesh, Acquire certain territories from Bangladesh Based On India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement and Protocol
• States Modified in First Schedule Assam ,West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura. The amendment changed the territorial provisions in the First Schedule of the Constitution.   

Political Situation at the Time of Independence

At Independence, India had two types of political units

Category	Description
British Provinces	Directly ruled by British Government
Princely States	Ruled by Indian princes under British paramountcy

Princely States after Independence

Total Princely States	Joined India	Refused Initially
552	549	3

• At the time of independence, India comprised two categories of political units, namely, The British provinces (under the direct rule of British government).
• The Princely states (under the rule of native princes but subject to the paramountcy of the British Crown)
• Out of the 552 princely states situated within the geographical boundaries of India, 549 joined India and the remaining 3 (Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir) refused to join India.

States that Initially Refused to Join India Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir

Reorganisation of States in India  

Demand for Linguistic States

• Different regions of India, especially South India, demanded reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis.
• People wanted states where the majority spoke the same language.

Dhar Commission (1948)

• There has been a demand from different regions, particularly South India, for reorganisation of states on linguistic basis. 
• Accordingly, in June 1948, the Government of India appointed the Linguistic Provinces Commission under the chairmanship of S.K. Dhar to examine the feasibility of this 
• It recommended the reorganisation of states on the basis of administrative convenience rather than linguistic factor  

Feature	Details
Official Name	Linguistic Provinces Commission
Chairman	S.K. Dhar
Appointed By	Government of India
Year	June 1948
Purpose	To examine feasibility of linguistic states

Recommendation

• Reorganisation should be based on: Administrative convenience, Efficiency
• NOT on linguistic basis.

Result

• Recommendation created resentment among people.
• Led to appointment of another committee.

JVP Committee (1948)

• It consisted of Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallahbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramayya and hence, was popularly known as JVP Committee 
• It submitted its report in April, 1949, and formally rejected language as the basis for reorganisation of states.  

Member	Position
Jawaharlal Nehru	Member
Vallabhbhai Patel	Member
Pattabhi Sitaramayya	Member

Report of JVP Committee (1949)

• Submitted report in April 1949.
• Rejected language as the basis for reorganisation of states.

Important Note (1950 Classification)

In 1950, Indian states and territories were divided into 4 categories:

Category	Description
Part A States	Former Governor’s provinces
Part B States	Former princely states
Part C States	Chief Commissioner’s provinces
Part D Territories	Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Andhra State & Potti Sriramulu

• Strong agitation for separate Telugu-speaking state.

Potti Sriramulu

• Congress leader
• Went on a 56-day hunger strike
• Died during the protest.

Result

• Government was forced to create: Andhra State in October 1953
• Telugu-speaking areas separated from Madras State.

Andhra became the first linguistic state of India.

Fazl Ali Commission (1953)

•  The creation of Andhra state intensified the demand from other regions for creation of states on linguistic basis 
• This forced the Government of India to appoint (in December, 1953) a three- member States Reorganisation Commission under the chairmanship of Fazl Ali to re-examine the whole question 
• Other two members were K.M. Panikkar and H.N. Kunzru.
• Creation of Andhra intensified demands for linguistic states.
• Government appointed: States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in December 1953.

Members of SRC

Member	Role
Fazl Ali	Chairman
K.M. Panikkar	Member
H.N. Kunzru	Member

Recommendations of Fazl Ali Commission

• Accepted: Language as an important basis for reorganisation.
• Rejected: Theory of: “One Language = One State”

Four Major Factors Identified

Factors	Explanation
Financial & Economic Factors	Economic viability of states
Administrative Convenience	Efficient governance
National Unity & Security	Strengthening unity and security
Linguistic & Cultural Homogeneity	Similar language and culture

Suggestions of the Commission

• Abolition of four-fold classification of states.
• Creation of: 16 States, 3 Centrally Administered Territories

Government Response (1956)

• The Government of India accepted these recommendations with certain minor modifications 
• By the States Reorganisation Act (1956) and the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act (1956), the distinction between Part A and Part B states was done away with and Part C states were abolished. 
• Some of them were merged with adjacent states and some other were designated as union territories As a result, 14 states and 6 union territories were created on November 1, 1956  

Two Important Measures

Measure	Year
States Reorganisation Act	1956
7th Constitutional Amendment Act	1956

Major Changes in 1956

• Part A and Part B distinction abolished.
• Part C states abolished.

What Happened to Part C States?

• Some merged with nearby states.
• Some became Union Territories.

Result of Reorganisation (1 November 1956)

• Created: 14 States & 6 Union Territories

14 States Created in 1956

States
Andhra Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Bombay
Jammu and Kashmir
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Madras
Mysore
Orissa
Punjab
Rajasthan
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal

6 Union Territories Created in 1956

Union Territories
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Delhi
Himachal Pradesh
Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands
Manipur
Tripura

Reorganisation After 1956

• Reorganisation did not stop in 1956.

Reasons for Further Changes

• Popular agitations
• Political conditions
• Linguistic demands
• Cultural homogeneity

Result

• Existing states were further divided.
• New states and union territories were continuously created.

Quick Revision Table

Commission/Committee	Year	Main Recommendation
Dhar Commission	1948	Administrative basis, not language
JVP Committee	1949	Rejected linguistic states
Fazl Ali Commission	1953	Accepted language as basis with conditions

One-Line Revision

• Dhar Commission → Against linguistic states
• JVP Committee → Rejected language basis
• Potti Sriramulu → Led Andhra movement
• Fazl Ali Commission → Recommended state reorganisation
• 1956 Act → Major reorganisation of Indian states

Maharashtra and Gujarat - 1960 

• In 1960, the bilingual state of Bombay was divided into two separate states-Maharashtra for Marathi speaking people and Gujarat for Gujarati speaking people 

Gujarat was established as the 15th state of the Indian Union

Dadra and Nagar Haveli - 1961 

• The Portuguese ruled this territory until its liberation in 1954 Subsequently, the administration was carried on till 1961 by an administrator chosen by the people themselves 

It was converted into a union territory of India by the 10th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1961. 

Goa, Daman and Diu - 1961 

• India acquired these three territories from the Portuguese by means of police action in 1961 
• They were constituted as a union territory by the 12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962 
• Later, in 1987, Goa was conferred a statehood Consequently, Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory. 

Puducherry - 1962 

• The territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishments in India known as Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam 
• The French handed over this territory to India in 1954 Subsequently, it was administered as an 'acquired territory', till 1962 when it was made a union territory by the 14th Constitutions Amendment Act 

Nagaland - 1963

• In 1963, the State of Nagaland was formed by taking the Naga Hills and Tuensang area out of the state of Assam. 
• This was done to satisfy the movement of the hostile Nagas .
• However, before giving Nagaland the status of the 16th state of the Indian Union, it was placed under the control of governor of Assam in 1961. 

Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh - 1966 

• In 1966, the State of Punjab was bifurcated to create Haryana, the l7th state of the Indian Union, and the union territory of Chandigarh.  
• This followed the demand for a separate "Sikh Homeland' (Punjabi Subha) raised by the Akali Dal under the leadership of Master Tara Singh. 
• On the recommendation of the Shah Commission (1966), the Punjabi-speaking areas were constituted into the unilingual state of Punjab. 
• Hindi-speaking areas were constituted into the State of Haryana and the hill areas were merged with the adjoining union territory of Himachal Pradesh. 
• In 1971, the union territory of Himachal Pradesh was elevated to the status of a state (18th state of the Indian Union)  

Topic	Important Notes
Maharashtra and Gujarat (1960)	• In 1960, the bilingual state of Bombay was divided into two states. • Maharashtra was created for Marathi-speaking people. • Gujarat was created for Gujarati-speaking people. • Gujarat became the 15th state of the Indian Union.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli (1961)	• This territory was under Portuguese rule till 1954. • It was liberated in 1954. • From 1954 to 1961, administration was run by an administrator chosen by local people. • It became a Union Territory through the 10th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1961.
Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)	• India acquired Goa, Daman and Diu from the Portuguese through police action in 1961. • They became a Union Territory through the 12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962. • In 1987, Goa was granted statehood. • After this, Daman and Diu became a separate Union Territory.
Puducherry (1962)	• Puducherry included former French settlements: → Puducherry → Karaikal → Mahe → Yanam • France handed over these territories to India in 1954. • From 1954–1962, it was administered as an “acquired territory”. • It became a Union Territory through the 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962.
Nagaland (1963)	• Nagaland was formed in 1963 by separating the Naga Hills and Tuensang Area from Assam. • It was created to satisfy the demands of the Nagas. • Before statehood, in 1961, the area was placed under the Governor of Assam. • Nagaland became the 16th state of the Indian Union.
Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh (1966)	• In 1966, Punjab was divided. • Haryana was created as the 17th state of India. • Chandigarh became a Union Territory. • Demand for Punjabi Subha (separate Sikh homeland) was raised by Akali Dal under Master Tara Singh. • Based on the recommendation of the Shah Commission (1966): → Punjabi-speaking areas became Punjab → Hindi-speaking areas became Haryana → Hill areas merged with Himachal Pradesh • In 1971, Himachal Pradesh became the 18th state of India.

Quick Revision Points

• 1960 → Bombay divided into Maharashtra & Gujarat
• 1961 → Dadra & Nagar Haveli became UT
• 1961–62 → Goa, Daman & Diu acquired from Portuguese
• 1962 → Puducherry became UT
• 1963 → Nagaland became 16th state
• 1966 → Haryana and Chandigarh created
• 1971 → Himachal Pradesh became 18th state

Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya - 1972 

• In 1972, the political map of Northeast India underwent a major change 
• Thus, the two union territories of Manipur and Tripura and the sub-state of Meghalaya got statehood and the two union territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh (originally known as North-East Frontier Agency-NEFA) came into being 
• With this, the number of states of the Indian Union increased to 21 (Manipur 19th, Tripura 20th and Meghalaya 21st The union territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were also formed out of the territories of Assam

Sikkim - 1975

• Till 1947, Sikkim was an Indian princely state ruled by Chogyal 
• In 1947, after the lapse of British paramountcy, Sikkim became a 'protectorate' of India, whereby the Indian Government assumed responsibility for the defence, external affairs and communications of Sikkim 
• In 1974, Sikkim expressed its desire for greater association with India Accordingly, the 35th Constitutional Amendment Act (1974) was enacted by the parliament 
• This amendment introduced a new class of statehood under the constitution by conferring on Sikkim the status of an 'associate state' of the Indian Union 
• In a referendum held in 1975, they voted for the abolition of the institution of Chogyal and Sikkim becoming an integral part of India 
• Consequently, the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act (1975) was enacted to make Sikkim a full-fledged state of the Indian Union (the 22nd state) 

Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa - 1987 

• In 1987, three new States of Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa came into being as the 23rd, 24th and 25th states of the Indian union respectively 
• Arunachal Pradesh had also been a union territory from 1972. 
• The union territory of Mizoram was conferred the status of a full state as a sequel to the signing of a memorandum of settlement (Mizoram Peace Accord) in 1986 between the Central government and the Mizo National Front, ending the two-decade-old insurgency. 
• The State of Goa was created by separating the territory of Goa from the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. 

Topic	Important Notes
Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya (1972)	• In 1972, the political map of North-East India changed significantly. • Union Territories of Manipur and Tripura were granted statehood. • Meghalaya, which was earlier a sub-state of Assam, also became a state. • Number of states in India increased to 21. • Manipur became the 19th state. • Tripura became the 20th state. • Meghalaya became the 21st state. • Two new Union Territories were also created: → Mizoram → Arunachal Pradesh (earlier called NEFA – North-East Frontier Agency) • Both were carved out of Assam.
Sikkim (1975)	• Before 1947, Sikkim was a princely state ruled by the Chogyal. • After independence, Sikkim became a protectorate of India. • India controlled: → Defence → External Affairs → Communications • In 1974, Sikkim demanded closer association with India. • Parliament passed the 35th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1974. • It gave Sikkim the status of an Associate State of India. • In the 1975 referendum, people voted to abolish the institution of Chogyal and join India fully. • Parliament then passed the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975. • Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union.
Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa (1987)	• In 1987, three new states were created: → Mizoram (23rd state) → Arunachal Pradesh (24th state) → Goa (25th state) • Arunachal Pradesh had been a Union Territory since 1972. • Mizoram received statehood after the Mizoram Peace Accord (1986) signed between the Central Government and the Mizo National Front. • The accord ended a two-decade insurgency. • Goa became a state after separation from the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.

Quick Revision Points

• 1972 → Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya became states
• 1972 → Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh became UTs
• 1975 → Sikkim became the 22nd state
• 1987 → Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa became states

Important Constitutional Amendments

Amendment	Purpose
35th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1974	Made Sikkim an Associate State
36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975	Made Sikkim a full state of India

One-Line Revision

• 1972 → North-East reorganisation
• 1975 → Sikkim joined India fully
• 1987 → Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa became states

(2000–2019) – Creation of New States and UTs

Topic	Important Notes
Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand (2000)	• In 2000, three new states were created. • Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. • Uttarakhand (earlier Uttaranchal) was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. • Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar. • These became: → Chhattisgarh – 26th state → Uttarakhand – 27th state → Jharkhand – 28th state of India.
Telangana (2014)	• In 2014, Telangana became the 29th state of India. • It was carved out of Andhra Pradesh. • The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 had earlier merged Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State with Andhra State to create Andhra Pradesh. • Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh. • Later, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 divided Andhra Pradesh into: → Andhra Pradesh (residuary state) → Telangana
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (2019)	• Before 2019, Jammu and Kashmir had a special status under Article 370 and also had its own Constitution. • In 2019, this special status was removed through a Presidential Order called: → “The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019” • This order replaced the earlier 1954 Order. • The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 divided the state into two Union Territories: → Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir → Union Territory of Ladakh

Growth in States and Union Territories

Year	States	Union Territories
1956	14	6
2019	28	9

Quick Revision Points

• 2000 → Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand created
• 2014 → Telangana became 29th state
• 2019 → Jammu & Kashmir bifurcated into J&K and Ladakh UTs
• Article 370 → Special status of J&K removed in 2019

One-Line Revision

• 2000 → 3 new states created
• 2014 → Telangana separated from Andhra Pradesh
• 2019 → J&K reorganised into two Union Territories

Development Boards & Autonomous Councils 

This picture shows regions in India where there are demands for:

• Separate states
• Special autonomy
• Regional development

These areas are managed through:

1. Development Boards
2. Autonomous Councils

Development Board

• Development Boards are created for the economic and social development of backward regions.

They help reduce

• Regional imbalance
• Lack of infrastructure
• Unequal development

Balanced regional development within a state.

Examples from the Picture

Region	State	Purpose
Vidarbha	Maharashtra	Demand for separate state due to underdevelopment
Marathwada	Maharashtra	Regional development
Saurashtra	Gujarat	Economic development
Kutch	Gujarat	Development of backward region
Hyderabad-Karnataka	Karnataka	Special development assistance

Constitutional Connection

Article 371 Series

Some regions receive special provisions under:

• Article 371
• Article 371A to 371J

These provisions aim to:

• Protect local interests
• Promote development
• Preserve culture and identity

Article 371J provides special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Autonomous Councils

• Autonomous Councils are local self-governing bodies created mainly in tribal areas.

They provide

•  Administrative autonomy
•   Protection of tribal culture
• Self-governance

Constitutional Basis

Sixth Schedule of the Constitution

• Applies mainly to tribal areas of:Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram

Powers of Autonomous Councils

• They can make laws regarding:Land,Forests,Local customs,Village administration,Tribal welfare

Examples from the Picture

Autonomous Council	State/Region
Bodoland Territorial Council	Assam
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council	Assam
North Cachar Hills ADC	Assam
Garo Hills ADC	Meghalaya
Khasi Hills ADC	Meghalaya
Jaintia Hills ADC	Meghalaya
Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC)	Tripura
Chakma, Lai & Mara ADCs	Mizoram
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration	West Bengal
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Leh & Kargil)	Ladakh

Why are these bodies created?

• To manage ethnic and tribal diversity
• To reduce separatist movements
• To provide local self-governance
• To protect language, culture and traditions

Difference Between Development Boards & Autonomous Councils

Basis	Development Boards	Autonomous Councils
Purpose	Economic development	Self-governance
Focus	Backward regions	Tribal/ethnic regions
Constitutional Basis	Mostly Article 371 provisions	Sixth Schedule
Powers	Advisory & developmental	Legislative & administrative

One-Line Revision

• Development Boards → Regional economic development
• Autonomous Councils → Tribal self-governance under Sixth Schedule

The reorganisation of states was carried out while keeping in mind the constitutional ideals of national unity, fraternity and integrity mentioned in the Preamble