←
Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the Reorganisation Act 2014 · Chapter 1

Background: Andhra Movement to the 2014 Act

What to remember

  • Andhra State was formed on 1 October 1953 from the Telugu areas of Madras State, after the death of Potti Sriramulu in a fast for a separate state. Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956 by joining Andhra State with the Telangana region of Hyderabad State.
  • Telangana agitations in 1969 and in 2009-14 asked for a separate state. The Jai Andhra movement of 1972 opposed separation. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 created Telangana on 2 June 2014.
  • The 2014 Act was passed under Article 3 of the Constitution, which allows Parliament to form new states and change boundaries.

1. The Andhra movement and Andhra State (1953)

Telugu speakers lived in the Madras Presidency and in the princely state of Hyderabad. Leaders of the Telugu-speaking areas of Madras wanted a separate state because they felt their language and culture were neglected. The demand for linguistic states grew after Independence.

  • The Dar Commission (1948) and the JVP Committee (Jawaharlal, Vallabhbhai, Pattabhi, 1948-49) did not support quick linguistic reorganisation.
  • Potti Sriramulu began a fast unto death in October 1952 for a separate Andhra State with Madras city issue as one cause. He died on 15 December 1952.
  • Violence broke out in the Telugu areas after his death. Prime Minister Nehru announced the formation of a separate state.
  • Andhra State came into being on 1 October 1953. It was the first state formed on a linguistic basis after Independence. Kurnool was its capital. T. Prakasam was the first Chief Minister.
  • Madras city stayed with Madras State.

2. States Reorganisation Commission and the 1956 formation

The Government of India set up the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) in 1953. Its members were Fazl Ali (Chairman), K. M. Panikkar and H. N. Kunzru. It submitted its report in 1955.

On Hyderabad State, the SRC:

  • noted that people in the Telangana region had fears about being dominated by the more advanced coastal Andhra region;
  • suggested that Telangana could be a separate state for some years, and could join Andhra after the general elections of 1961, if two-thirds of its legislators agreed;
  • also saw good reasons for an immediate merger, due to the language bond.

The Centre and leaders of both regions agreed on merger. A Gentlemen's Agreement was made in February 1956. Its main safeguards were:

  • a regional committee for Telangana in the Assembly for matters of regional interest;
  • protection of Telangana in jobs, with local people to be given preference;
  • if the Chief Minister is from one region, the Deputy Chief Minister would be from the other;
  • Telangana's surplus revenue to be spent on Telangana's development;
  • protection in education and admissions to Telangana students.

The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 reorganised the states of India. Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956, with Hyderabad as the capital. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was the first Chief Minister.

YearEvent
1948-49Dar Commission and JVP Committee
1952Potti Sriramulu's fast and death (15 December)
1953Andhra State formed (1 October)
1953-55SRC works and reports
1956Gentlemen's Agreement (February); Andhra Pradesh formed (1 November)

3. Telangana agitations: 1969 and 1972

1969. Complaints grew that safeguards were not followed, especially on jobs and use of funds. Students in Osmania University and other places began protests. The "Jai Telangana" movement spread. M. Chenna Reddy led the Telangana Praja Samithi. Police firing took many lives. The Centre tried to settle the issue through:

  • the Eight-Point Plan by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi;
  • the Five-Point Formula (1969), which proposed protection for Telangana in jobs and funds, and regional development boards.

The movement faded after the Praja Samithi merged into the Congress later.

1972. The Supreme Court upheld the Mulki rules (rules that gave jobs in Telangana to local residents) in 1972. This sparked the Jai Andhra movement in the coastal Andhra region, opposing the preference for locals and demanding a separate Andhra.

Settlement. The Six-Point Formula (1973) was agreed. It included:

  • a new idea of equal opportunity in public employment, education and training across regions;
  • the creation of new institutions such as a Central University in Hyderabad;
  • an end to the Mulki rules.

The Constitution (Thirty-second Amendment) Act, 1973 added Article 371-D, giving special provisions for Andhra Pradesh. It enabled a presidential order for equal opportunities in education and public jobs across regions, and a state Administrative Tribunal.

4. The 2009-14 movement and the Act

  • The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was founded in 2001 by K. Chandrashekar Rao, demanding a separate state.
  • On 9 December 2009, the Union Home Minister announced that the process for forming Telangana would begin. Protests in the coastal and Rayalaseema regions followed, and the process was put on hold.
  • The Srikrishna Committee (Justice B. N. Srikrishna) was set up in 2010. It presented its report in December 2010 with several options, including keeping the state united with constitutional safeguards.
  • Public agitation, strikes and political developments continued for years.
  • On 30 July 2013, the Congress Working Committee and the UPA coordination body decided to support the formation of Telangana. A Group of Ministers was created to work out details.
  • The President referred the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013 to the State Legislature under Article 3 for its views. The Legislature expressed disagreement with the Bill. Under Article 3, the views of the state are not binding on Parliament.
  • The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 February 2014 and by the Rajya Sabha on 20 February 2014. The President gave assent on 1 March 2014.
  • The appointed day was 2 June 2014, when Telangana became the 29th state of India. Hyderabad became the common capital for a limited period.
DateEvent
2001TRS founded
9 Dec 2009Announcement on Telangana process
2010Srikrishna Committee set up; report in December
30 Jul 2013Decision in favour of Telangana
18 Feb 2014Lok Sabha passes the Bill
20 Feb 2014Rajya Sabha passes the Bill
1 Mar 2014Presidential assent
2 Jun 2014Appointed day; Telangana formed

5. Constitutional process: Article 3

Under Article 3, Parliament may by law:

  • form a new state by separating territory from a state;
  • increase or reduce the area of a state;
  • alter the boundaries or name of a state.

Conditions: a Bill needs the prior recommendation of the President. The President must refer it to the State Legislature to express its views within a stated period, but is not bound by them. Such a law is not treated as an amendment of the Constitution under Article 368 (Article 4).

Exam traps

  • Andhra State (1953) was formed from Madras State; Andhra Pradesh (1956) was formed by adding Telangana.
  • Kurnool was the capital of Andhra State; Hyderabad became the capital in 1956.
  • Gentlemen's Agreement (1956) is different from the Six-Point Formula (1973).
  • Article 371-D was added in 1973 by the 32nd Amendment; it is not Article 371.
  • The Jai Andhra movement (1972) was in the coastal region and opposed the Mulki rules, unlike Jai Telangana (1969).
  • The SRC recommended a review of the Telangana merger after 1961, and its chairman was Fazl Ali, not Srikrishna.
  • Srikrishna Committee (2010) is not the same as the SRC (1953).
  • Parliament is not bound by the views of a State Legislature on a Bill under Article 3.

One-liners

  • 1. Andhra State was the first linguistic state after Independence.
  • 2. Potti Sriramulu died on 15 December 1952 after a long fast.
  • 3. Kurnool was the first capital of Andhra State.
  • 4. T. Prakasam was the first Chief Minister of Andhra State.
  • 5. The SRC had Fazl Ali as Chairman.
  • 6. Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956.
  • 7. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
  • 8. The Gentlemen's Agreement was signed in 1956.
  • 9. The Six-Point Formula was agreed in 1973.
  • 10. Article 371-D was added by the 32nd Amendment.
  • 11. TRS was founded in 2001.
  • 12. Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014 as the 29th state.

Practice questions

  1. Andhra State was formed on:

    1. 1 November 1956
    2. 2 June 2014
    3. 1 October 1953
    4. 15 December 1952
    Answer

    C. 1 October 1953

    It was the first linguistic state after Independence.

  2. Which city was the capital of Andhra State (1953)?

    1. Hyderabad
    2. Vijayawada
    3. Guntur
    4. Kurnool
    Answer

    D. Kurnool

    Hyderabad became capital only in 1956.

  3. Who was the first Chief Minister of Andhra State?

    1. M. Chenna Reddy
    2. T. Prakasam
    3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
    4. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
    Answer

    B. T. Prakasam

    Prakasam led the new state in 1953.

  4. Potti Sriramulu died on:

    1. 15 December 1952
    2. 1 November 1956
    3. 2 June 2014
    4. 1 October 1953
    Answer

    A. 15 December 1952

    He died after a long fast for a separate Andhra State.

  5. The States Reorganisation Commission was chaired by:

    1. H. N. Kunzru
    2. Fazl Ali
    3. K. M. Panikkar
    4. B. N. Srikrishna
    Answer

    B. Fazl Ali

    Panikkar and Kunzru were members.

  6. Andhra Pradesh was formed on:

    1. 1 November 1956
    2. 2 June 2014
    3. 1 October 1953
    4. 26 January 1950
    Answer

    A. 1 November 1956

    Andhra State and Telangana were merged.

  7. The first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1956) was:

    1. T. Prakasam
    2. N. T. Rama Rao
    3. Jalagam Vengala Rao
    4. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
    Answer

    D. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

    He took office when the state was formed.

  8. The Gentlemen's Agreement on Telangana safeguards was made in:

    1. 1953
    2. 1973
    3. 1956
    4. 1969
    Answer

    C. 1956

    It was made in February 1956 before the merger.

  9. Article 371-D was inserted into the Constitution by the:

    1. 42nd Amendment, 1976
    2. 73rd Amendment, 1992
    3. 32nd Amendment, 1973
    4. 44th Amendment, 1978
    Answer

    C. 32nd Amendment, 1973

    It gave special provisions for Andhra Pradesh.

  10. Telangana was formed as a state on:

    1. 20 February 2014
    2. 2 June 2014
    3. 30 July 2013
    4. 1 March 2014
    Answer

    B. 2 June 2014

    This was the appointed day under the Act.

  11. Telangana became which numbered state of India?

    1. 30th
    2. 31st
    3. 28th
    4. 29th
    Answer

    D. 29th

    It was formed from Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

  12. Under which Article can Parliament form a new state?

    1. Article 3
    2. Article 1
    3. Article 368
    4. Article 2
    Answer

    A. Article 3

    Article 3 covers formation of states and change of boundaries.

  13. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi was founded in:

    1. 2009
    2. 1969
    3. 2001
    4. 1985
    Answer

    C. 2001

    It was founded by K. Chandrashekar Rao.

  14. The Srikrishna Committee on the Telangana issue was set up in:

    1. 2010
    2. 2014
    3. 1969
    4. 1953
    Answer

    A. 2010

    It reported in December 2010.

  15. The Six-Point Formula was agreed in:

    1. 1972
    2. 1956
    3. 1969
    4. 1973
    Answer

    D. 1973

    It followed the Jai Andhra movement.

  16. The 1969 agitation for a separate Telangana was led politically by:

    1. The Praja Socialist Party
    2. The Telangana Praja Samithi
    3. The Swatantra Party
    4. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi
    Answer

    B. The Telangana Praja Samithi

    The Samithi was led by M. Chenna Reddy.

  17. The Jai Andhra movement of 1972 was triggered by:

    1. The Gentlemen's Agreement
    2. The Reorganisation Act, 2014
    3. The Srikrishna report
    4. A Supreme Court ruling upholding the Mulki rules
    Answer

    D. A Supreme Court ruling upholding the Mulki rules

    It opposed preference for local residents in jobs.

  18. The Eight-Point Plan of 1969 for Telangana was announced by:

    1. Prime Minister Morarji Desai
    2. Prime Minister Shastri
    3. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
    4. Prime Minister Nehru
    Answer

    C. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

    It was followed by the Five-Point Formula.

  19. The Lok Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill on:

    1. 18 February 2014
    2. 2 June 2014
    3. 20 February 2014
    4. 1 March 2014
    Answer

    A. 18 February 2014

    The Rajya Sabha passed it two days later.

  20. The Rajya Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill on:

    1. 30 July 2013
    2. 20 February 2014
    3. 18 February 2014
    4. 1 March 2014
    Answer

    B. 20 February 2014

    Assent followed on 1 March 2014.

  21. The President gave assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill on:

    1. 20 February 2014
    2. 2 June 2014
    3. 9 December 2009
    4. 1 March 2014
    Answer

    D. 1 March 2014

    The appointed day was later, on 2 June 2014.

  22. Under Article 3, the views of the State Legislature on a Bill affecting the state are:

    1. Binding on Parliament
    2. Not to be sought at all
    3. Binding only if two-thirds agree
    4. Sought but not binding on Parliament
    Answer

    D. Sought but not binding on Parliament

    Parliament may go ahead even if the Legislature disagrees.

  23. A law passed under Article 3 is not treated as an amendment under:

    1. Article 368
    2. Article 14
    3. Article 371
    4. Article 356
    Answer

    A. Article 368

    Article 4 says so.

  24. Andhra State was created after the death of:

    1. Fazl Ali
    2. Potti Sriramulu
    3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
    4. T. Prakasam
    Answer

    B. Potti Sriramulu

    His death caused widespread protests.

  25. The SRC suggested that the Telangana merger could be reviewed after:

    1. The Six-Point Formula
    2. The census of 1951
    3. The general elections of 1961
    4. The Gentlemen's Agreement
    Answer

    C. The general elections of 1961

    It proposed a vote of the Telangana legislators by a two-thirds majority.

  26. The Mulki rules gave preference in government jobs to:

    1. Women of all regions
    2. Local residents of the Telangana region
    3. Retired soldiers
    4. Persons from coastal Andhra
    Answer

    B. Local residents of the Telangana region

    They were upheld in 1972.

  27. The Gentlemen's Agreement provided for a regional committee for:

    1. Rayalaseema in the Council
    2. Telangana in the Assembly
    3. Coastal Andhra in Parliament
    4. Hyderabad city only
    Answer

    B. Telangana in the Assembly

    It was meant for matters of regional interest.

  28. The process for forming Telangana was announced in December 2009 by:

    1. The Union Home Minister
    2. The Chief Justice of India
    3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
    4. The Governor of the state
    Answer

    A. The Union Home Minister

    Protests followed and the process was held back.

  29. Andhra State was carved out of:

    1. Hyderabad State
    2. Mysore State
    3. Madras State
    4. Bombay State
    Answer

    C. Madras State

    Telugu areas of Madras formed the new state.

  30. Consider the statements: 1. Andhra State was the first state formed on a linguistic basis after Independence. 2. Hyderabad was the capital of Andhra State. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Kurnool was its capital, so only statement 1 is correct.

  31. Consider the statements: 1. The Gentlemen's Agreement was made in 1956. 2. The Six-Point Formula was agreed in 1973. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  32. Consider the statements: 1. The Jai Andhra movement of 1972 began in the Telangana region. 2. It opposed the continuation of Mulki-type preference for locals. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    It was in coastal Andhra. Only statement 2 is correct.

  33. Consider the statements: 1. The Srikrishna Committee was set up in 1953. 2. The States Reorganisation Commission was set up in 2010. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    The SRC dates from 1953 and the Srikrishna Committee from 2010. Both are wrong.

  34. Consider the statements on Article 3: 1. A Bill under it needs the prior recommendation of the President. 2. The Bill is referred to the State Legislature for its views. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both statements are correct.

  35. Consider the statements: 1. Kurnool was the capital of Andhra State. 2. Guntur was the capital of Andhra State. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Only statement 1 is correct.

  36. Consider the statements: 1. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi was formed in 1969. 2. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi was formed in 2001. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    The party was formed in 2001. Only statement 2 is correct.

  37. Consider the statements: 1. The Lok Sabha passed the Reorganisation Bill in February 2014. 2. The Rajya Sabha passed it in February 2014. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both houses passed it in February 2014.

  38. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

    1. Fazl Ali - Srikrishna Committee
    2. T. Prakasam - Telangana Praja Samithi
    3. Chenna Reddy - Gentlemen's Agreement
    4. Potti Sriramulu - fast unto death, 1952
    Answer

    D. Potti Sriramulu - fast unto death, 1952

    The other pairs mix up people and events.

  39. Safeguards for Telangana on jobs and a regional committee were part of the:

    1. Six-Point Formula
    2. Eight-Point Plan
    3. Srikrishna report
    4. Gentlemen's Agreement
    Answer

    D. Gentlemen's Agreement

    It was made before the 1956 merger.

  40. The Mulki rules were ended as part of the:

    1. Six-Point Formula
    2. States Reorganisation Act, 1956
    3. Gentlemen's Agreement
    4. Dar Commission report
    Answer

    A. Six-Point Formula

    The 1973 settlement replaced them with new equal-opportunity provisions.

  41. Andhra State of 1953 was formed on which basis?

    1. Religion
    2. River basin
    3. Tribal population
    4. Language
    Answer

    D. Language

    Telugu speakers sought a state of their own.

  42. A law made under Article 4 in connection with Article 3 may amend:

    1. The Fundamental Rights chapter
    2. The Preamble only
    3. The First and Fourth Schedules of the Constitution
    4. Article 368
    Answer

    C. The First and Fourth Schedules of the Constitution

    These Schedules list states and Rajya Sabha seats.

  43. Which city remained with Madras State when Andhra State was formed?

    1. Guntur
    2. Madras (Chennai)
    3. Kurnool
    4. Hyderabad
    Answer

    B. Madras (Chennai)

    Madras city stayed with Madras State.

Page 1 of 1
‹
›