CHAPTER 2 The Union & Its Territory

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The Union & Its Territory:

Articles 1 to 4 of the Constitution:

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

• Article 1:
  India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States rather than a federation of states.

• Article 3:
  Deals with the formation of new States out of existing states.
  Parliament has the power to alter territory, boundaries, or names of states without their consent.

• Article 4:
  Any territory acquired by India (through purchase, treaty, cession, or conquest) becomes part of India.
  Such territories are administered by the Government of India, subject to Parliament laws.

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Reorganisation of States:

• In 1953, the State Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was set up under Fazl Ali.
  Other members: H.N. Kunzru and K.N. Panikkar.

• The Commission submitted its report in 1955.

• It accepted language as the basis for reorganisation,
  but rejected the theory of “one language – one state”.

• Main focus: Unity of India.

• Suggested:

  • Reorganisation of 27 states

  • Into 16 states and 3 Union Territories

• State Reorganisation Act, 1956:

  • Implemented recommendations (with minor changes)

  • Result:

    • 14 States

    • 6 Union Territories

    • Effective from November 1, 1956

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Procedure for Creation of New States:

• Parliament can:

  • Form new states

  • Alter area, boundaries, or names of states

• Requires only a simple majority.

• Procedure:

  • Bill introduced in Parliament only with President’s recommendation

  • President refers the bill to the concerned State Legislature

  • State must give opinion within a specified time

• Important points:

• If the State does not respond → time may be extended

• Bill can be passed even without State’s opinion

• Parliament is not bound by State’s views

• No need to consult State again for amendments

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New States & UTs Created After 1956:

Maharashtra & Gujarat (1960):

• Formed by dividing Bombay State

• Gujarat became the 15th State of India

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Dadra & Nagar Haveli (1961):

• Ruled by Portuguese until 1954

• Became Union Territory under 10th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1961

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Goa, Daman & Diu (1961):

• Acquired from Portuguese by police action (1961)

• Became UT under 12th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962

• In 1987:

  • Goa → State

  • Daman & Diu → Separate UT

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Pondicherry (1962) (now Puducherry):

• Ruled by French till 1954

• Includes:

  • Pondicherry

  • Karaikal

  • Mahe

  • Yanam

• Became UT under 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962

Nagaland (1963):

• Formed under State of Nagaland Act, 1962

• Became a State on 1st February 1963

• Included:

  • Naga Hills

  • Tuensang area (earlier part of Assam, Sixth Schedule area)

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Haryana & Chandigarh (1966):

• Punjab was bifurcated in 1966

• Results:

  • Haryana → 17th State of India

  • Chandigarh → Union Territory

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Himachal Pradesh (1971):

• Earlier a Union Territory

• Became a State by State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970

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Manipur, Tripura & Meghalaya (1972):

• Manipur & Tripura were Union Territories

• Meghalaya was a sub-state of Assam

• In 1972, all three got statehood:

  • Manipur → 19th State

  • Tripura → 20th State

  • Meghalaya → 21st State

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Sikkim (1975):

• Earlier ruled by Chogyal under British Paramountcy

• 1974: Became an Associate State (35th Amendment)

• 1975: Became a full State (36th Amendment)

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Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh & Goa (1987):

Mizoram

• Became State in 1987

• Earlier:

  • Union Territory (1972)

  • Special status under 1971 Act

Arunachal Pradesh

• Became State in 1987

• Earlier a Union Territory

Goa

• Became 25th State of India in 1987

• Earlier part of Goa, Daman & Diu UT

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Chhattisgarh (2000):

• Became 26th State of India

• Formed on 1st November 2000 from Madhya Pradesh

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Uttarakhand (2000):

• Became 27th State of India on 9th November 2000

• Initially named Uttaranchal

• Renamed Uttarakhand in 2007

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Jharkhand (2000):

• Became 28th State of India

• Formed on 15th November 2000 from Bihar

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Note :

• By 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991

• From 1st February 1992

• Delhi (UT) renamed as
  National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi

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UPDATED DATA :

Telangana (2014):

• Became 29th State of India

• Formed on 2nd June 2014 from Andhra Pradesh

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Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (2019)

• By J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019:

  • State of J&K split into:

    • Jammu & Kashmir (UT with Legislature)

    • Ladakh (UT without Legislature)

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Merger of UTs (2020):

• Dadra & Nagar Haveli merged with Daman & Diu

• New UT:
  Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu

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Current Status :

• Total States: 28

• Total Union Territories: 8

MODEL MCQs:

1.

With reference to the nature of Indian Union as described in the Constitution, consider the following statements:

1. India is described as a Federation of States in Article 1.

2. The Union of India is indestructible, but states can be reorganised.

3. States have the right to secede from the Union.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation: Constitution uses “Union of States,” not federation.

Union is indestructible, but states can change.

States have no right to secede.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

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2.

Regarding the powers of Parliament under Article 3 of the Constitution, consider the following:

1. Parliament can form a new State by separating territory from any State.

2. Parliament must obtain consent of the concerned State Legislature.

3. Parliament can alter names and boundaries of States.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: Parliament has wide powers under Article 3.

Consent of State is not required, only opinion.

It can change names, areas, boundaries.

Thus 1 and 3 are correct.

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3.

Consider the following statements about the procedure for creation of a new State:

1. A Bill can be introduced without President’s recommendation.

2. The State Legislature must approve the Bill.

3. Parliament is not bound by the State Legislature’s opinion.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 3 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: President’s recommendation is mandatory.

State gives only opinion, not approval.

Parliament can ignore State’s views.

Thus only statement 3 is correct.

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4.

With reference to the State Reorganisation Commission (SRC), consider the following:

1. It was established in 1953.

2. It recommended reorganisation purely on linguistic basis.

3. It rejected the idea of one language–one State.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 only

C) 1, 2 and 3

D) 1 only

Answer: A

Explanation: SRC formed in 1953 under Fazl Ali.

It accepted language but not purely.

Rejected one language–one State.

Thus 1 and 3 are correct.

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5.

Which of the following correctly describes Article 4 of the Constitution?

1. Laws made under Article 4 require special majority.

2. They are not considered Constitutional Amendments.

3. They may include supplemental provisions.

Select the correct answer:

A) 2 and 3 only

B) 1 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: Article 4 laws need simple majority.

They are not constitutional amendments.

They include incidental provisions.

Thus 2 and 3 are correct.

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6.

Consider the following pairs regarding formation of States:

1. Chhattisgarh – Madhya Pradesh

2. Jharkhand – Bihar

3. Uttarakhand – Uttar Pradesh

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1, 2 and 3

D) 1 only

Answer: C

Explanation: All three states were formed in 2000.

Chhattisgarh from MP.

Jharkhand from Bihar.

Uttarakhand from UP.

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7.

With reference to Union Territories in India, consider the following statements:

1. All UTs have legislatures.

2. Parliament directly administers UTs.

3. Some UTs have special constitutional provisions.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 2 and 3 only

B) 1 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: Not all UTs have legislatures.

Parliament governs UTs via administrators.

Delhi & Puducherry have special provisions.

Thus 2 and 3 are correct.

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8.

Regarding the reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir in 2019, consider:

1. It was divided into two Union Territories.

2. Both UTs have legislatures.

3. Ladakh is a UT without legislature.

Which is correct?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: J&K split into two UTs.

Only J&K has legislature.

Ladakh does not.

Thus 1 and 3 are correct.

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9.

Which of the following statements about Telangana formation is correct?

1. It was formed in 2014.

2. It became the 29th State.

3. It was carved out of Tamil Nadu.

Select the correct answer:

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 only

C) 1, 2 and 3

D) 1 only

Answer: A

Explanation: Telangana formed in 2014.

It became 29th State.

It was carved from Andhra Pradesh.

Thus 1 and 2 are correct.

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10.

Consider the following statements about Delhi:

1. It was given special status by 69th Amendment.

2. It is called National Capital Territory.

3. It functions exactly like a full State.

Which of the above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Explanation: 69th Amendment gave special status.

It is called NCT of Delhi.

But it is not a full state.

Thus 1 and 2 are correct.

Disclaimer:

This content is prepared for educational and informational purposes only. The notes are simplified for better understanding and exam preparation (UPSC and State Exams). Readers are advised to refer to standard textbooks and official sources for detailed study