India's Evolution
The Indian Constitution defines India as a union of states, yet none of its current states existed in their present form in 1950. The political map of 1951 is vastly different from that of 2021. Recent changes, such as the creation of Telangana and the division of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, highlight this evolution. While states today are often identified by language, British Provinces and princely states (except Orissa) lacked linguistic foundations, a fact rarely discussed in education or public discourse. Transitions like the formation of Maharashtra from Bombay Province, involving Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Greater Bombay, are similarly overlooked.
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In 1951, India had 28 states (classified as Part A, B, C, and D) and 310 districts, with French and Portuguese territories and Sikkim outside its boundaries. Today, there are 28 states, 8 Union Territories, and approximately 785 districts. Districts have evolved through bifurcations, mergers, and renaming, growing from 310 in 1951 to 640 by 2011, and from 693 to 785 between 2021 and 2024.
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The formation of states and districts reflects India's complex cultural, linguistic, and geographical diversity, shaped by ongoing territorial adjustments, renaming, and shifts in power structures.
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Article 1: Name and territory of the Union
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India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.
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The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule.
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The territory of India shall comprise-
(a)The territories of the States;
(b) the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and
(c) such other territories may be acquired.
Article 2: Admission or establishment of new States
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Parliament may by law admit into the Union, or establish, new States on such terms and conditions, as it thinks fit.
Article 3: Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States
Parliament may by law-
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Form a new State by separation of territory from any State or by uniting two or more States or parts of States or by uniting any territory to a part of any State;
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increase the area of any State;
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diminish the area of any State;
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alter the boundaries of any State;
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alter the name of any State;​
Provided that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries, or name of any of the States, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference or within such further period as the President may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired.
In this article, in clauses (a) to (e), "State" includes a Union territory, but in the proviso, "State" does not include a Union territory.
The power conferred on Parliament by clause (a) includes the power to form a new State or Union territory by uniting a part of any State or Union territory to any other State or Union territory.