States and Indian Union Territories

Total Questions: 58

51. The States were reorganized on the basis of language in- [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2007, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (a) 1956
Solution:In October, 1953, the Government of India created the first linguistic state known as Andhra Pradesh. However, large-scale reorganization of the states on the linguistic basis started in the year 1956.

The Reorganisation of States in India was an important reform that took place after the country gained independence. It was marked by the State Reorganisation Act of 1956 which was a response to a major reform of state boundaries along linguistic lines. This act followed the Linguistic Provinces Commission (Dhar Commission), which had earlier rejected language as a basis for dividing states. However, public demands, particularly in South India, led to the appointment of the States Reorganisation Commission in 1953. The Act, enacted on 31 August 1956, created new states like Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, Kerala, and others.
The State Reorganisation Act of 1956 was a pivotal moment in India's history, but it didn't signal the end of the reorganisation process. Later, several new states and Union Territories were established to accommodate regional identities and administrative requirements.

52. Which is the first ever State constituted on linguistic basis? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016, Uttarakhand U.D.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (b) Andhra Pradesh
Solution:In October, 1953, the Government of India created the first linguistic state known as Andhra Pradesh. However, large-scale reorganization of the states on the linguistic basis started in the year 1956.

The reorganisation of states involves balancing administrative, cultural, economic, and political factors. It aims to create a responsive and inclusive framework for governing India's diverse regions.
Linguistic and Cultural affiliations: The reorganisation often takes into account the linguistic and cultural similarities among people in a region. This also helps in
better administration and governance. The first linguistic state, Andhra Pradesh, was carved out of Madras in 1953. The state was formed due to the death of Potti Sreeramulu in December 1952. Regions like Bodoland in Assam and the tribal areas in Tripura have been demanding separate statehood to preserve their unique cultural identity and for better economic development.
Tribal and Ethnic identities: States like Nagaland were formed considering tribal affiliations. This was done to address the unique cultural and social aspirations of specific communities.
Economic development: Some regions, like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand etc. felt that separate statehood was necessary for economic growth as the existing state government was unable to adequately meet the development needs of the area.
Administrative viability: States like Uttarakhand were carved out from larger states (in this case, Uttar Pradesh) to ensure better administrative viability and governance.
Security issue: The case of Jammu and Kashmir is a prime example where security issues played a significant role in the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories - Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

53. Which of the following is the first State in India formed on the basis of Languages? [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (c) Andhra Pradesh
Solution:In October 1953, Andhra Pradesh was the first state to be created on the linguistic basis, by separating the Telugu Speaking areas from the Madras state.

The reorganisation of states involves balancing administrative, cultural, economic, and political factors. It aims to create a responsive and inclusive framework for governing India's diverse regions.
Linguistic and Cultural affiliations: The reorganisation often takes into account the linguistic and cultural similarities among people in a region. This also helps in
better administration and governance. The first linguistic state, Andhra Pradesh, was carved out of Madras in 1953. The state was formed due to the death of Potti Sreeramulu in December 1952. Regions like Bodoland in Assam and the tribal areas in Tripura have been demanding separate statehood to preserve their unique cultural identity and for better economic development.
Tribal and Ethnic identities: States like Nagaland were formed considering tribal affiliations. This was done to address the unique cultural and social aspirations of specific communities.
Economic development: Some regions, like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand etc. felt that separate statehood was necessary for economic growth as the existing state government was unable to adequately meet the development needs of the area.
Administrative viability: States like Uttarakhand were carved out from larger states (in this case, Uttar Pradesh) to ensure better administrative viability and governance.
Security issue: The case of Jammu and Kashmir is a prime example where security issues played a significant role in the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories - Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

54. Andhra Pradesh was created as a language based state in- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

Correct Answer: (b) 1953
Solution:In October 1953, Andhra Pradesh was the first state to be created on the linguistic basis, by separating the Telugu Speaking areas from the Madras state.

The reorganisation of states involves balancing administrative, cultural, economic, and political factors. It aims to create a responsive and inclusive framework for governing India's diverse regions.
Linguistic and Cultural affiliations: The reorganisation often takes into account the linguistic and cultural similarities among people in a region. This also helps in
better administration and governance. The first linguistic state, Andhra Pradesh, was carved out of Madras in 1953. The state was formed due to the death of Potti Sreeramulu in December 1952. Regions like Bodoland in Assam and the tribal areas in Tripura have been demanding separate statehood to preserve their unique cultural identity and for better economic development.
Tribal and Ethnic identities: States like Nagaland were formed considering tribal affiliations. This was done to address the unique cultural and social aspirations of specific communities.
Economic development: Some regions, like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand etc. felt that separate statehood was necessary for economic growth as the existing state government was unable to adequately meet the development needs of the area.
Administrative viability: States like Uttarakhand were carved out from larger states (in this case, Uttar Pradesh) to ensure better administrative viability and governance.
Security issue: The case of Jammu and Kashmir is a prime example where security issues played a significant role in the reorganisation of the state into two Union Territories - Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

55. Read the following statements with reference to State Reorganization Commission, 1953 and choose the correct option:

Statement-I: Justice Fazl Ali, K.M. Panikkar and Hridaynath Kunzru were its member.

Statement-II: Commission supported the splitting of Bombay and Punjab.

Statement-III: As per State Reorganization Act, 1956 passed by Parliament, 14 States and 6 centrally administered States were made.

From the statements given above, which is/are true?

Correct Answer: (d) I and III
Solution:The States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was constituted by Central Government in December, 1953 to recommend the reorganization of State boundaries. In September, 1955, the Commission headed by Justice Fazal Ali, comprising K.M. Pannikar and Hridaynath Kunzru, submitted its report. The Commission did not support the splitting of Bombay and Punjab.

56. In which year were the Indian States reorganized on the recommendation of the State Reorganization Commission? [Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, Uttarakhand U.D.A/L.D.A. (Mains) 2006]

Correct Answer: (c) 1956
Solution:The States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was constituted by Central Government in December, 1953 to recommend the reorganization of State boundaries. In September, 1955, the Commission headed by Justice Fazal Ali, comprising K.M. Pannikar and Hridaynath Kunzru, submitted its report. The Commission did not support the splitting of Bombay and Punjab.

57. The capital of which state has not been renamed after the attainment of freedom? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (d) Andhra Pradesh
Solution:The capital of Andhra Pradesh has not been changed till now after Independence, while the names of the following capital cities have been changed-
StatesCapital's Previous NameCapital's Current Name
1. TamilnaduMadrasChennai
2. West BengalCalcuttaKolkata
3. MaharashtraBombayMumbai
4. PondicherryPondicherryPuducherry
5. KarnatakaBangaloreBengaluru
6. KeralaTrivandrumThiruvananthapuram

After the formation of Telangana Hyderabad became the capital of both the states for 10 years. Through the 'Andhra Pradesh Decentralization and inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020 (Received the assent of the governor on the 31st July, 2020) to enable a decentralized model of governance and to provide an inclusive governance in the state there shall be three seats of governance in the State of Andhra Pradesh to be called as 'Capital (s) as under:

-Amravati Metropolitan Region Development Area to called as the 'Legislative Capital.

-Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Area to be called as the Executive Capital and

-Kurnool Urban Development Area to be called as the 'Judicial Capital'.

58. Which of the following statements is/are true? [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 2018]

(A) After the Nagpur Session (1920) of Congress, the provincial Congress Committees were constituted on Linguistic basis.

(B) In 1948, Congress rejected the demand of formation of provinces on linguistic basis.

Select the correct answer from the code below:

Correct Answer: (d ) Both (A) & (B)
Solution:In 1920, the Indian National congress session was held in Nagpur under C. Vijayaraghavachariar. After Nagpur session of congress, the provincial congress committees were constituted on the linguistic basis.

In 1948, the commission was chaired by S.K. Dhar, to investigate the feasibility of organizing states on the linguistic basis. In 1948, congress founded the JVP committee consisting of "Jawahalal Nehru, Vallabhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramaya to study the recommendations of the Dhar Committee. The committee has rejected the proposal of division of states on the basis of language.