←
Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the Reorganisation Act 2014 · Chapter 8

Impact and Contested Provisions

What to remember

  • The bifurcation reshaped the politics, economy and demography of both Telugu-speaking States. Telangana was formed as the 29th State on 2 June 2014, and Andhra Pradesh became the residuary State.
  • Hyderabad was made the common capital for not more than ten years, and the Governor was given a special responsibility for the safety of all its residents. The common capital arrangement ended in 2024 as the Act laid down.
  • Contested matters include special status, pending Schedule IX and X issues, river waters, and the capital. These topics need neutral, factual answers in exams.

Background in brief

Telangana had been part of the Hyderabad State until 1956, when it was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh on linguistic lines. The 1956 arrangement included the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956 to protect Telangana interests in jobs, education and revenue. Later steps included the Six-Point Formula of 1973 and the insertion of Article 371D (by the 32nd Amendment) to give equal opportunities in public employment and education to people of different parts of the State.

A statehood movement grew in the 2000s. The Union Government set up the Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee in 2010 to study the situation and suggest options. In 2013-14 the process of the Act moved in Parliament, and the Act received the President's assent in early 2014. It came into force on the appointed day, 2 June 2014.

Political and administrative impact

AreaBeforeAfter
StatesOne State, Andhra PradeshTelangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh
Common capitalHyderabad capital of one StateHyderabad common capital for not more than ten years
Assembly seatsCombined strength175 for Andhra Pradesh and 119 for Telangana
Lok Sabha seatsCombined strength25 for Andhra Pradesh and 17 for Telangana
High CourtOne High CourtA common High Court first; a separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh from 1 January 2019
Capital of residuary StateHyderabadA new capital to be developed

The Act also provided for an increase in assembly seats of both States, but this needed a constitutional change to the freeze on seat numbers (Article 170 and the delimitation rules). This matter has been contested and the exact position should be taken from the latest official source.

The Act directed the Centre to set up a committee to study the choice of a new capital for the residuary State. The K. C. Sivaramakrishnan Committee was formed for this purpose. Questions about the capital location and form have changed with governments over time, so exam answers should be limited to the Act's provisions and to what is stated in the question.

Socio-economic impact

  • Revenue and jobs: the residuary State lost the urban service and IT base, and many people were concerned about jobs and migration.
  • Agriculture: the residuary State is rich in delta agriculture but faces water and irrigation questions.
  • Employment: the division of cadre posts affected thousands of employees and their families.
  • Education: many students and institutions faced questions on admissions and domicile, which were handled under rules based on Article 371D-type arrangements for a limited period.
  • Industry: both States pursued new policies to attract investment.
  • Infrastructure: the residuary State began building a capital region and ports, while Telangana strengthened its hold on Hyderabad-centred growth.

Cultural and demographic impact

  • Telugu is the main language of both States. The common language and many shared traditions continue.
  • Telangana's cultural symbols such as the festivals Bathukamma and Bonalu became strongly associated with State identity. Official emblems and a State song were also adopted.
  • Andhra Pradesh emphasised its own symbols and the heritage of its coast, Rayalaseema and the north coastal region.
  • Hyderabad has people from many regions. Migration after division changed local discussions on identity and settlement.
  • Using the 2011 Census figures of the Act, Andhra Pradesh held around three fifths and Telangana around two fifths of the old State's population. Do not give exact figures unless asked.
  • Telangana is a smaller State by population than the residuary State, but has the large urban centre of Hyderabad.

Contested provisions and issues

1. Special status. During the passage of the Act, a statement was made in Parliament in favour of special status for the residuary State. The Act did not contain this clause. The later finance system and Finance Commission changes shaped the position. The issue remains political.

2. Pending Schedule IX and X matters. Division of companies, corporations and institutions did not finish on the appointed day. Many matters stayed with committees, the two Governments, the Union Home Ministry and courts.

3. Employees. Allotment, seniority and nativity disputes went to tribunals and courts.

4. River waters. The role of the River Boards, the tribunal process and new lift projects remained open for discussion.

5. Power. Sharing of power from existing plants and dues between power companies led to disputes.

6. Capital and common capital arrangements. Hyderabad served as the common capital for ten years as laid down. The residuary State's own capital plans changed over the years.

7. Seats and delimitation. Increase in assembly seats provided in the Act depended on constitutional changes.

Telangana-AP relations

  • Relations have included both cooperation and disagreement. Both are Telugu-speaking and share a long border, rivers, trade and family links.
  • The Chief Ministers, the Governors and the Union Home Ministry have been used as forums for talks. Southern Zonal Council meetings, chaired by the Union Home Minister, are one such forum.
  • Matters under discussion have included water, power dues, institutions, assets and employees.
  • A neutral summary for exams: "Both States have used negotiation, the Centre and courts to settle matters arising out of the Act."

Zonal Councils are advisory bodies set up under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. The Southern Zonal Council includes the southern States and Puducherry.

Two views of the same events

A fair way to study a contested topic is to know what each side said and what the law says.

TopicConcern raised in the residuary StateConcern raised in TelanganaWhat the Act or the Constitution says
Hyderabad assetsBuilt with funds of all regionsLocated in TelanganaImmovable property goes by location
EmployeesFair share and seniorityNative employees firstLocal cadre, option and nativity guidelines
River waterShare for delta and RayalaseemaShare for dry districtsBoards, Apex Council and tribunals
Special statusPromised in ParliamentNot a party to the demandThe Act has no such clause
CapitalNeed for help with a new capitalHyderabad is its own capitalHyderabad common capital for up to ten years

How to write a neutral answer

  • Begin with the legal fact (Act, Section, Schedule, Article).
  • State each side's concern in one line, using "the State sought" or "the State stated".
  • Name the forum: Boards, committees, the Union Home Ministry, a Zonal Council, a tribunal or a court.
  • End with "the matter depends on later decisions", not with a judgement.
  • Avoid words that blame a person or party. Avoid yearly figures and current status claims.

Why the Act matters for the study of federalism

The formation of Telangana is an example of Parliament's power under Articles 3 and 4 to form a new State from an existing one. The Constitution requires the President to refer a Bill under Article 3 to the State Legislature for its views, but Parliament is not bound by those views. This is a central point in questions on the Indian federal structure: States have no constitutional guarantee of their territory, and India is often called an "indestructible union of destructible States".

Exam traps

  • The Act received assent and took effect on different dates. Assent was in early 2014; the appointed day is 2 June 2014.
  • Hyderabad as common capital was for not more than ten years; it was not a permanent arrangement.
  • Telangana is the 29th State; not 28th or 30th.
  • Assembly seats: 175 and 119; Lok Sabha seats: 25 and 17.
  • Article 371D is about equal opportunity in jobs and education in the old Andhra Pradesh; Article 371A is for Nagaland.
  • The Sivaramakrishnan Committee studied the capital; the Srikrishna Committee studied the Telangana question.
  • The Act does not contain a clause on Special Category Status.
  • Zonal Councils are statutory, advisory bodies, not constitutional bodies.

One-liners

  • Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014.
  • Telangana is the 29th State of India.
  • Hyderabad is the common capital for not more than ten years.
  • The Governor has special responsibility for the safety of residents of the common capital.
  • The Srikrishna Committee was formed in 2010.
  • The Sivaramakrishnan Committee studied the choice of capital.
  • Article 371D deals with equal opportunity in the old State.
  • Andhra Pradesh has 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha seats.
  • Telangana has 119 Assembly seats and 17 Lok Sabha seats.
  • A separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh began on 1 January 2019.
  • The Act does not itself grant Special Category Status.
  • Zonal Councils were set up under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

Practice questions

  1. Telangana was formed on

    1. 1 March 2014
    2. 15 August 2014
    3. 26 January 2015
    4. 2 June 2014
    Answer

    D. 2 June 2014

    The appointed day under the Act was 2 June 2014.

  2. Telangana became which State of India?

    1. 30th
    2. 27th
    3. 28th
    4. 29th
    Answer

    D. 29th

    Telangana is the 29th State.

  3. For how long was Hyderabad to be the common capital?

    1. Not more than five years
    2. Permanently
    3. Not more than twenty years
    4. Not more than ten years
    Answer

    D. Not more than ten years

    The Act made it the common capital for not more than ten years.

  4. Who has special responsibility for the safety of residents of the common capital?

    1. The Speaker
    2. The Governor
    3. The Chief Justice
    4. The Prime Minister
    Answer

    B. The Governor

    The Act gave the Governor a special responsibility for the life, liberty and property of residents of Hyderabad.

  5. Which Committee was formed in 2010 to study the Telangana question?

    1. Srikrishna Committee
    2. Sheela Bhide Committee
    3. Sivaramakrishnan Committee
    4. Bachawat Tribunal
    Answer

    A. Srikrishna Committee

    The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee was formed in 2010.

  6. Which Committee studied the choice of capital for the residuary State?

    1. Srikrishna Committee
    2. Sheela Bhide Committee
    3. Sivaramakrishnan Committee
    4. Sarkaria Commission
    Answer

    C. Sivaramakrishnan Committee

    The K. C. Sivaramakrishnan Committee studied the capital.

  7. Article 371D provides for

    1. special status for Nagaland
    2. special rules for Mizoram
    3. water sharing
    4. equal opportunities in public employment and education in the old State
    Answer

    D. equal opportunities in public employment and education in the old State

    It was inserted by the 32nd Amendment.

  8. Which Article provides for special provisions for Nagaland?

    1. Article 371A
    2. Article 371F
    3. Article 371D
    4. Article 371J
    Answer

    A. Article 371A

    Article 371A is for Nagaland; 371D was for Andhra Pradesh.

  9. The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956 was meant to

    1. fix the capital of Maharashtra
    2. protect Telangana interests in jobs, education and revenue
    3. create Zonal Councils
    4. divide river water
    Answer

    B. protect Telangana interests in jobs, education and revenue

    It was part of the 1956 merger arrangements.

  10. How many Assembly seats does Andhra Pradesh have under current arrangements after division?

    1. 294
    2. 225
    3. 119
    4. 175
    Answer

    D. 175

    Andhra Pradesh has 175 and Telangana 119 Assembly seats.

  11. How many Lok Sabha seats does Telangana have?

    1. 17
    2. 25
    3. 42
    4. 13
    Answer

    A. 17

    Telangana has 17 and Andhra Pradesh 25 Lok Sabha seats.

  12. How many Lok Sabha seats does Andhra Pradesh have after division?

    1. 17
    2. 25
    3. 30
    4. 42
    Answer

    B. 25

    Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats.

  13. A separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh began working from

    1. 2 June 2024
    2. 1 January 2014
    3. 1 January 2019
    4. 2 June 2014
    Answer

    C. 1 January 2019

    The common High Court was separated on 1 January 2019.

  14. The increase in Assembly seats provided by the Act depended on

    1. a river tribunal award
    2. a Finance Commission report
    3. a constitutional change to the freeze on seat numbers
    4. a Governor's order
    Answer

    C. a constitutional change to the freeze on seat numbers

    Article 170 and the delimitation rules freeze seat numbers.

  15. Parliament's power to form new States is found in

    1. Articles 3 and 4
    2. Articles 1 and 2
    3. Articles 14 and 15
    4. Articles 352 and 356
    Answer

    A. Articles 3 and 4

    Articles 3 and 4 allow formation of States and changes to boundaries.

  16. Under Article 3, a Bill to form a new State must be referred to the State Legislature for

    1. a two-thirds vote
    2. its views, which are not binding on Parliament
    3. its approval, which is binding
    4. a veto
    Answer

    B. its views, which are not binding on Parliament

    Parliament is not bound by the State's views.

  17. India is often described as

    1. a union of fixed borders
    2. a confederation
    3. a unitary State
    4. an indestructible union of destructible States
    Answer

    D. an indestructible union of destructible States

    States have no constitutional guarantee of their territory.

  18. Zonal Councils were set up under the

    1. Government of India Act, 1935
    2. Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 only
    3. States Reorganisation Act, 1956
    4. Constitution (42nd) Amendment
    Answer

    C. States Reorganisation Act, 1956

    Zonal Councils are statutory advisory bodies.

  19. Zonal Councils are

    1. statutory advisory bodies
    2. courts
    3. tribunals
    4. constitutional bodies
    Answer

    A. statutory advisory bodies

    They are statutory, not constitutional, and are advisory.

  20. Who chairs a Zonal Council meeting?

    1. The Chief Justice
    2. The Prime Minister of the State
    3. The President
    4. The Union Home Minister
    Answer

    D. The Union Home Minister

    The Union Home Minister is the Chairman.

  21. Which festival is strongly associated with Telangana's cultural identity?

    1. Onam
    2. Bathukamma
    3. Bihu
    4. Pongal
    Answer

    B. Bathukamma

    Bathukamma is the State's floral festival.

  22. Which festival is also associated with Telangana's culture?

    1. Durga Puja
    2. Bonalu
    3. Lohri
    4. Ugadi only
    Answer

    B. Bonalu

    Bonalu is a festival to the Goddess Mahankali, associated with Hyderabad and Telangana.

  23. Before 1956, Telangana was part of

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

    A. Hyderabad State

    Telangana was in the former Hyderabad State until it was merged with Andhra State.

  24. Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956 on the basis of

    1. river basins
    2. religion
    3. language
    4. caste
    Answer

    C. language

    It was formed after the States Reorganisation on linguistic lines.

  25. The Six-Point Formula of 1973 was designed to

    1. fix Lok Sabha seats
    2. form Zonal Councils
    3. divide waters of the Krishna
    4. address regional concerns in the old Andhra Pradesh
    Answer

    D. address regional concerns in the old Andhra Pradesh

    It was a political arrangement to address regional demands.

  26. Does the Act of 2014 contain a clause granting Special Category Status?

    1. Yes, in Schedule IX
    2. Yes, in Schedule X
    3. Yes, in Section 1
    4. No
    Answer

    D. No

    The promise was made in Parliament; it is not a clause of the Act.

  27. Which of the following was a source of disputes between the two States?

    1. Employees, assets, power and river waters
    2. Defence procurement
    3. Currency
    4. Foreign policy
    Answer

    A. Employees, assets, power and river waters

    These matters arose from the division.

  28. Which approach is best for answering questions on contested provisions?

    1. Blame one party
    2. Predict future outcomes
    3. Quote only figures
    4. State the law, each side's concern and the forum, and avoid judgement
    Answer

    D. State the law, each side's concern and the forum, and avoid judgement

    A neutral answer is factual and forum-based.

  29. The 2011 Census population share used in the Act was about

    1. half for each
    2. four fifths for Telangana
    3. three fifths for Andhra Pradesh and two fifths for Telangana
    4. two fifths for Andhra Pradesh
    Answer

    C. three fifths for Andhra Pradesh and two fifths for Telangana

    The Act used roughly 58:42 shares.

  30. The Srikrishna Committee was named after

    1. Justice R. S. Bachawat
    2. Justice B. N. Srikrishna
    3. Justice Brijesh Kumar
    4. K. C. Sivaramakrishnan
    Answer

    B. Justice B. N. Srikrishna

    The 2010 committee was headed by Justice B. N. Srikrishna.

  31. The Act's common capital period ends on

    1. the day of assent
    2. the tenth anniversary of the appointed day
    3. the day of the Act's passage
    4. the day of the first election
    Answer

    B. the tenth anniversary of the appointed day

    The ten-year period runs from 2 June 2014.

  32. Statements: 1. Telangana is the 29th State. 2. Hyderabad was made common capital for not more than ten years.

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

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  33. Statements: 1. Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats. 2. Telangana has 25 Lok Sabha seats.

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

    A. 1 only

    Telangana has 17.

  34. Statements: 1. The Srikrishna Committee studied the capital. 2. The Sivaramakrishnan Committee studied the Telangana question.

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

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    Reversed: Srikrishna studied the Telangana question; Sivaramakrishnan studied the capital.

  35. Statements: 1. Article 371D is related to the old Andhra Pradesh. 2. Article 371D was inserted by the 32nd Amendment.

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

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  36. Statements: 1. The Union Home Minister chairs Zonal Councils. 2. Zonal Councils are constitutional bodies.

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

    A. 1 only

    Zonal Councils are statutory.

  37. Statements: 1. Parliament must follow the views of the State Legislature under Article 3. 2. The views of the State Legislature are to be taken.

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

    B. 2 only

    Views must be sought but are not binding.

  38. Statements: 1. A statement on special status was made in Parliament. 2. The Act includes a clause on Special Category Status.

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

    A. 1 only

    The Act has no such clause.

  39. Statements: 1. A separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh began in 2019. 2. The High Court was separated on the appointed day itself.

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

    A. 1 only

    The separation was in 2019, not on 2 June 2014.

  40. Statements: 1. They were fully settled on the appointed day. 2. Pending Schedule IX and X matters were still discussed after the appointed day.

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

    B. 2 only

    Many matters stayed open after the appointed day.

  41. Statements: 1. Bathukamma is a Telangana festival. 2. Telugu is the main language of both States.

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

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  42. Statements: 1. The Governor has special responsibility in the common capital. 2. The Governor acts as a tribunal on river disputes.

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

    A. 1 only

    Tribunals are separate bodies.

  43. Statements: 1. Telangana was part of Hyderabad State before 1956. 2. Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956.

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

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  44. Statements: 1. States have a constitutional guarantee of territory. 2. India has an indestructible union of destructible States.

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

    B. 2 only

    Parliament may change boundaries under Articles 3 and 4.

  45. Which pair is correctly matched?

    1. Article 371D - Nagaland
    2. Article 371A - old Andhra Pradesh
    3. Article 3 - Finance Commission
    4. Article 371A - Nagaland
    Answer

    D. Article 371A - Nagaland

    371A is for Nagaland; 371D for old Andhra Pradesh.

Page 1 of 1
‹
›