Political Division of India
(Exam-Focused Notes | Home Academy)
1. Meaning of Political Division
The political division of India refers to the administrative and territorial arrangement of the country into States, Union Territories, and Local Governments for effective governance, administration, and development.
India follows a Federal System with a Unitary Bias, as described in the Constitution.
2. Constitutional Basis
• Article 1: India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States
• Article 2: Admission or establishment of new states
• Article 3: Formation of new states, alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing states
• Seventh Schedule: Division of powers between Centre and States
📌 Important for Exam:
India is not a federation of states by agreement; states have no right to secede.
3. Present Political Structure of India (2026)
A. States
• 28 States
• Each state has:
– Governor
– State Legislature
– Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister
📌 States enjoy greater autonomy compared to Union Territories.
B. Union Territories (UTs)
• 8 Union Territories
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Chandigarh
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
Delhi (NCT)
Jammu & Kashmir
Ladakh
Lakshadweep
Puducherry
📌 Delhi & Puducherry have legislative assemblies.
📌 Ladakh & J&K (UT) created after Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
4. Reorganisation of States in India
A. Pre-Independence
• British India + Princely States
• Provinces created mainly for administrative convenience
B. Post-Independence
1. Linguistic Reorganisation (1956)
• States Reorganisation Act, 1956
• Language became the primary basis
📌 First linguistic state: Andhra State (1953)
2. Major State Formations
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Andhra State |
| 1956 | States Reorganisation Act |
| 1960 | Maharashtra & Gujarat |
| 1966 | Haryana from Punjab |
| 1972 | Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura |
| 2000 | Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand |
| 2014 | Telangana |
| 2019 | J&K reorganised into two UTs |
5. Federal Features vs Unitary Features
Federal Features
• Written Constitution
• Dual polity (Centre & States)
• Division of powers
• Independent judiciary
Unitary Features
• Single Constitution
• Centre can reorganise states
• Emergency provisions
• Strong Centre
📌 India is called a “Quasi-Federal State”.
6. Local Self-Government (Grassroots Political Division)
A. Rural Local Bodies (73rd Amendment)
• Gram Panchayat
• Panchayat Samiti
• Zila Parishad
B. Urban Local Bodies (74th Amendment)
• Municipal Corporation
• Municipal Council
• Nagar Panchayat
📌 Constitutional Status given in 1992.
7. Special Status & Asymmetrical Federalism
• Article 371 to 371J
• Special provisions for states like:
– Maharashtra
– Gujarat
– Nagaland
– Assam
– Andhra Pradesh
Special Provisions under Articles 371 to 371-J
| Article | State / Region Covered | Special Provision (Key Points for Exam) |
|---|---|---|
| Article 371 | Maharashtra & Gujarat | Special responsibility of the Governor for establishment of separate development boards for regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada, Saurashtra, and Kutch to ensure equitable development. |
| Article 371A | Nagaland | Protection of religious and social practices, customary law, administration of civil and criminal justice, and ownership of land and natural resources. Acts of Parliament do not apply unless approved by State Assembly. |
| Article 371B | Assam | Provision for creation of a committee of the Assam Legislative Assembly consisting of members from tribal areas to safeguard their interests. |
| Article 371C | Manipur | Special responsibility of the Governor for administration of hill areas and establishment of a Hill Areas Committee in the State Legislature. |
| Article 371D | Andhra Pradesh | Special provisions for equitable opportunities in public employment and education, creation of local cadres, and establishment of an Administrative Tribunal. |
| Article 371E | Andhra Pradesh | Establishment of a Central University in the state (Andhra Pradesh Central University). |
| Article 371F | Sikkim | Protection of old laws, customs, and land ownership rights; representation of Sikkim in Parliament; Governor given special responsibility. |
| Article 371G | Mizoram | Protection of religious and social practices, customary law, and land ownership; Parliamentary laws require approval of State Assembly. |
| Article 371H | Arunachal Pradesh | Governor given special responsibility for law and order; Governor acts in his discretion after consulting the Council of Ministers. |
| Article 371I | Goa | Provision for a Legislative Assembly consisting of not less than 30 members. |
| Article 371J | Karnataka | Establishment of Hyderabad-Karnataka Regional Development Board for backward regions, ensuring equitable development, employment, and education. |
Important Exam Highlights (Must Remember)
• Articles 371A & 371G give maximum autonomy
• Nagaland & Mizoram – Parliament laws need State Assembly approval
• 371D – Very important for SSC & UPSC (Local cadre system)
• 371J – Added by 98th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2012
• These provisions reflect Asymmetrical Federalism in India
📌 PYQ-Type Quick Questions (Exam Focus)
Which Article protects customary laws and land ownership in Nagaland?
→ Article 371AHyderabad-Karnataka region gets special status under which Article?
→ Article 371JSpecial provision for local employment in Andhra Pradesh is under:
→ Article 371DWhich Article applies to Goa?
→ Article 371I
📌 Article 370 repealed in 2019.
8. Political Division of Jammu & Kashmir (Exam Focus)
• Became UT in 2019
• Divided into:
– UT of J&K (with Assembly)
– UT of Ladakh (without Assembly)
📌 Lieutenant Governor is the executive head.
9. Importance of Political Division
• Administrative efficiency
• Balanced regional development
• Cultural and linguistic protection
• Decentralisation of power
• Strengthening democracy
10. Frequently Asked PYQ-Based MCQs
(UPSC | SSC | JKSSB | RRB)
India is described as a Union of States under which Article?
A. Article 2
B. Article 3
C. Article 1
D. Article 4
Answer: CWhich Act led to the linguistic reorganisation of states?
A. Government of India Act 1935
B. Indian Independence Act
C. States Reorganisation Act 1956
D. Constitution Amendment Act
Answer: CHow many Union Territories are there in India at present?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Answer: CWhich Union Territory has no legislative assembly?
A. Delhi
B. Puducherry
C. Jammu & Kashmir
D. Ladakh
Answer: DThe power to form new states in India lies with:
A. Supreme Court
B. Parliament
C. President
D. Election Commission
Answer: BWhich amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj?
A. 42nd
B. 44th
C. 73rd
D. 86th
Answer: CTelangana was formed in which year?
A. 2000
B. 2012
C. 2014
D. 2016
Answer: C
11. Quick Revision Box (Highly Exam-Oriented)
• India = Union of States
• 28 States + 8 UTs
• Parliament can change state boundaries
• Linguistic basis dominant
• Strong Centre = Quasi-Federal
• J&K special status removed in 2019
JKSSB-Specific MCQs
Political Division of India
(Home Academy – Exam Focused)
1. India is described as a “Union of States” under which Article of the Constitution?
A. Article 2
B. Article 3
C. Article 1
D. Article 4
Answer: C
2. Which authority has the power to form a new state or alter the boundaries of existing states?
A. President
B. Supreme Court
C. Parliament
D. State Legislature
Answer: C
3. At present, how many States are there in India?
A. 27
B. 28
C. 29
D. 30
Answer: B
4. At present, how many Union Territories are there in India?
A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 9
Answer: C
5. Which of the following Union Territories has a Legislative Assembly?
A. Ladakh
B. Chandigarh
C. Delhi
D. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Answer: C
6. Which of the following Union Territories does NOT have a Legislative Assembly?
A. Puducherry
B. Delhi
C. Jammu & Kashmir
D. Ladakh
Answer: D
7. Jammu & Kashmir was reorganised into Union Territories in which year?
A. 2017
B. 2018
C. 2019
D. 2020
Answer: C
8. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act came into force on:
A. 26 January 2019
B. 15 August 2019
C. 31 October 2019
D. 26 November 2019
Answer: C
9. After reorganisation, Jammu & Kashmir became:
A. A full-fledged state
B. A Union Territory without legislature
C. A Union Territory with legislature
D. A centrally administered area
Answer: C
10. Who is the executive head of a Union Territory?
A. Chief Minister
B. Governor
C. Lieutenant Governor
D. President
Answer: C
11. The linguistic reorganisation of states in India took place under which Act?
A. Government of India Act, 1935
B. Indian Independence Act, 1947
C. States Reorganisation Act, 1956
D. Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act
Answer: C
12. Which was the first state formed on linguistic basis in India?
A. Kerala
B. Karnataka
C. Andhra State
D. Tamil Nadu
Answer: C
13. Which Schedule of the Constitution deals with the division of powers between Centre and States?
A. Sixth Schedule
B. Seventh Schedule
C. Eighth Schedule
D. Ninth Schedule
Answer: B
14. Panchayati Raj Institutions were given constitutional status by which Amendment Act?
A. 42nd Amendment
B. 44th Amendment
C. 73rd Amendment
D. 74th Amendment
Answer: C
15. Municipal bodies were given constitutional status by which Amendment Act?
A. 73rd
B. 74th
C. 86th
D. 91st
Answer: B
16. Which Article of the Constitution gives special provisions to Nagaland?
A. Article 370
B. Article 371
C. Article 371A
D. Article 371D
Answer: C
17. Which Article provides special provisions for the state of Andhra Pradesh regarding local employment?
A. Article 371A
B. Article 371C
C. Article 371D
D. Article 371F
Answer: C
18. The concept of “Quasi-Federal” is used to describe India because:
A. States are independent
B. Centre is weak
C. Strong Centre with federal features
D. No written constitution
Answer: C
19. Which of the following is a Unitary feature of the Indian Constitution?
A. Written Constitution
B. Independent Judiciary
C. Emergency provisions
D. Division of powers
Answer: C
20. Which Article allows Parliament to change the name of a state?
A. Article 1
B. Article 2
C. Article 3
D. Article 4
Answer: C
🔑 JKSSB Exam Pattern Insight (Very Important)
• JKSSB prefers direct factual questions
• Heavy focus on J&K reorganisation (2019)
• Articles 1–4, 371 series, number of States/UTs are high-repeat
• Language is simple, not analytical like UPSC
📌 One-Line Revision (JKSSB Gold)
• India = Union of States
• 28 States + 8 UTs
• J&K = UT with legislature
• Ladakh = UT without legislature
• Parliament controls state formation
• Linguistic basis = 1956