The Reorganisation of States in India was reform post-independence. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 aimed to reorganise state boundaries based on linguistic and cultural lines. This act was a response to public demands for better governance and representation.
Types of States in India
The Constitution of India classified states into four main types before the 1956 reorganisation. These classifications were based on historical governance structures.
- Part A States: Former governors’ provinces of British India.
- Part B States: Former princely states or groups of princely states.
- Part C States: Comprised former chief commissioners’ provinces and some princely states.
- Part D States: Administered by a lieutenant governor appointed by the central government.
Part A States
Part A states were governed by an elected governor and a state legislature. They included:
- Assam
- West Bengal
- Bihar
- Bombay
- Madhya Pradesh (formerly Central Provinces and Berar)
- Madras
- Orissa
- Punjab (formerly East Punjab)
- Uttar Pradesh (formerly United Provinces)
Part B States
Part B states were former princely states. They were governed by a Rajpramukh, appointed by the President of India. Key states included:
- Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU)
- Hyderabad
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Travancore-Cochin
- Madhya Bharat
- Mysore
- Rajasthan
- Saurashtra
Part C States
Part C states included former chief commissioners’ provinces and some princely states. They were governed by a chief commissioner appointed by the President. Notable states were:
- Ajmer
- Bhopal
- Bilaspur
- Coorg
- Delhi
- Himachal Pradesh
- Kutch
- Manipur
- Tripura
- Vindhya Pradesh
Part D States
Part D states were administered by a lieutenant governor. The only Part D state was:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Background of State Reorganisation
Post-independence, India faced challenges in governance and administrative structures. The need for reorganising states arose from:
- Financial and economic considerations
- Cultural and linguistic affiliations
- Administrative efficiency
Initial State Divisions (1951)
In 1951, India was divided into four parts:
- Part A – 9 states
- Part B – 9 states
- Part C – 10 states
- Part D – 1 territory
Rationale Behind Reorganisation
The reorganisation aimed to create a responsive framework for governance. Factors included:
- Linguistic and cultural similarities
- Tribal and ethnic identities
- Economic development needs
- Administrative viability
- Security concerns
Commissions and Their Recommendations
Several commissions were formed to study state reorganisation. Key commissions included:
Dhar Commission (1948)
– Proposed new provinces based on ethnic and linguistic diversity. – Emphasised geographical continuity and administrative convenience. – Rejected linguistic-based organisation.
JVP Committee (1948)
– Shifted focus from language to unity and security. – Recommended delaying new provinces for pressing issues.
Fazl Ali Commission (1953)
– Accepted language as a basis for reorganisation. – Advocated for 16 states and 3 centrally administered territories. – Led to the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.
States Reorganisation Act of 1956
The Act was very important in reshaping India’s states. It created:
- 14 states and 6 union territories
It replaced the earlier classification of states (Part A, B, C, D) with two categories – States and Union Territories.
Formation of Key States Post-1956
Several states were formed after the 1956 Act based on linguistic and cultural demands. Significant formations included:
Kerala (1956)
– Merged Travancore-Cochin with Malabar District from Madras State.
Maharashtra and Gujarat (1960)
– Formed from the Bombay Reorganisation Act. – Resulted from movements for Marathi and Gujarati-speaking regions.
Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh (1966)
– Created following the Punjabi Suba movement. – Chandigarh designated as a Union Territory.
Goa and Daman & Diu (1987)
– Goa became a state after nationalistic movements. – Daman & Diu remained a Union Territory.
Puducherry (1962)
– Former French settlements, became a Union Territory.
Nagaland (1963)
– Separated from Assam to become the 16th state.
Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya (1972)
– Granted statehood, increasing total states to 21.
Sikkim (1975)
– Became a full-fledged state from a protectorate.
Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Goa (1987)
– Established as states from former Union Territories.
Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand (2000)
– Formed by dividing Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Telangana (2014)
– Created from territories of Andhra Pradesh.
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (2019)
– The former state was divided into two Union Territories.
Current Statehood Demands
Various regions continue to seek separate statehood. Notable demands include:
- Uttar Pradesh – Proposals for smaller states like Purvanchal and Bundelkhand.
- Maru Pradesh – Demand from western Rajasthan.
- Vidarbha – Aspiration for a separate state in eastern Maharashtra.
- Other regions – Delhi, Gorkhaland, Bodoland, and others seek recognition.
