Q10.The political and administrative reorganisation of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.

The political and administrative reorganisation of states and territories in India has been a continuous and dynamic process since the mid-19th century, driven by evolving administrative needs and socio-political aspirations.

Pre-Independence Reorganisation

During British rule, India was divided into Presidencies (e.g., Bengal, Madras, Bombay) and provinces. These administrative units were frequently redrawn for governance and revenue, exemplified by the partition of Bengal in 1905.

Post-Independence Reorganisation - Initial Phase

Post-1947, over 500 princely states were integrated, leading to the initial formation of Part A, B, C, D states, a temporary arrangement reflecting their varied administrative statuses.

Linguistic Reorganisation

Intense demands for linguistic states led to the JVP Committee and later the Fazal Ali Commission (SRC). The States Reorganisation Act, 1956, abolished the earlier distinctions, creating 14 states and 6 Union Territories based primarily on language.

• Andhra Pradesh (1953)
• Maharashtra and Gujarat (1960)
• Punjab (1966)

Subsequent Phases

Reorganisation continued based on administrative convenience, regional aspirations, and developmental or ethnic considerations. This ensured better governance and addressed local demands.

• Haryana (1966), Himachal Pradesh (1971)
• Northeastern states (e.g., Nagaland 1963, Meghalaya 1972)
• Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand (2000)
• Telangana (2014)

This ongoing reorganisation underscores India's democratic commitment to accommodating diverse regional identities and developmental imperatives, fostering effective governance and national integration.