The Indian Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which divided the state of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and the remaining Andhra Pradesh state. The bill was introduced in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on December 5, 2013, the first day of the winter session. The two distinct states were officially formed on June 2, 2014. Telangana was created as a new state with ten districts. The UPSC Indian Polity and Governance Syllabus include Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 which is described in this article.

Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 has

• 108 sections and
• 13 Schedules
• 12 Parts

Telangana contains the following areas:

1. Adilabad
2. Karimnagar
3. Medak
4. Nizamabad
5. Warangal
6. Rangareddi
7. Nalgonda
8. Mahbubnagar
9. Khammam (but excluding the revenue villages in the Mandals)
10. Bhurgampadu
11. Seetharamanagaram
12. Kondreka
13. Hyderabad

These areas are no longer part of Andhra Pradesh, as stated in the AP Reorganisation Act.

Historical background

• After years of protests and agitation, and in response to the Telangana movement's massive demand for a new state, the Central Government, led by the United Progressive Alliance, decided to split and bifurcate the state of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and the rest of the state.
• Telangana Movement was a movement that demanded the creation of a separate state of Telangana. It has a long and illustrious history. Telangana is a Telugu-speaking province within the princely state of Hyderabad.
• It is located near the Deccan plateau and serves as a crossroads for mainland rivers like the Krishna and Godavari. For many years, these rivers were at the core of countless dynasties.
• When Muslim invaders founded the princely state of Hyderabad in the 18th century, Britishers merged and effectively defeated the princely state of Hyderabad through a subsidiary alliance during the British administration.
• The British Empire never included Telangana. On the basis of the instrument of accession, the princely state of Hyderabad, which was ruled by the Nizam, was integrated into Indian territory.
• Meanwhile, the Telugu-speaking portion of Madras was fully separated from the rest of the state. The States Reorganisation Committee was established in 1953 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India, with the goal of separating Telangana and forming a new state, but Nehru was forced to abandon his plan after the savage revolutionary movement in Hyderabad.
• The demand for Telangana was revived again in 1969, this time by students and government employees, but it was quashed within a short time. Following the advent of the Telugu Desam Party, the demand for Telangana resurfaced in the media. Telugu Desam Party backed the proposal for a separate state of Telangana in October 2008.

Important Highlights of the Reorganisation Act, 2014

• For a period of not more than ten years, Hyderabad will serve as the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
• After the term ends, Hyderabad will become the capital of the state of Telangana, and the state of Andhra Pradesh will have a new capital.
• The Central Government shall appoint an expert committee to investigate possible options for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh's new capital and provide appropriate suggestions within six months after the enactment of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• The Governor of the present State of Andhra Pradesh shall be the Governor for both the successor States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on and from the specified day, for such duration as the President may determine.
• The First and Fourth Schedules of the Constitution were amended as a result of the Act's provisions.
• On and from the given day, the number of seats in the Legislative Assemblies of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana shall be 175 and 119, respectively.
• In accordance with the provisions of Article 169 of the Constitution, each of the successor States shall establish a Legislative Council consisting of not more than [58 members in the Legislative Council of Andhra Pradesh] and 40 members in the Legislative Council of Telangana.
• On and from the prescribed day, the existing Legislative Council of the State of Andhra Pradesh shall be regarded to have been reconstituted as two Legislative Councils of the successor States, with the existing members apportioned to the Councils as provided in the Fourth Schedule.
• The High Court of Judicature in Hyderabad shall serve as the common High Court for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh beginning on the appointed day and continuing until a separate High Court for the state of Andhra Pradesh is established under article 214 of the Constitution.
• The principal seat of the Andhra Pradesh High Court shall be at such location as the President may appoint by a published order.

Conclusion

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 resulted in the formation of a new state, the 29th Indian State. The Indian Constitution's Schedules and Articles were changed as a result of this measure. Only the future will determine whether the Act and the newly established state of Telangana progress.

FAQs

Question. What is the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014?

Question. What were the main provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014?

Question. How long will Hyderabad serve as the capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?

Question. What are the key changes in the legislative setup after the bifurcation?

Question. Why was the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 significant?

MCQs

1. What is the duration for which Hyderabad will serve as the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?

A) 5 years

B) 10 years

C) 15 years

D) Indefinitely

2. Which Article of the Indian Constitution was amended due to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014?

A) Article 3

B) Article 214

C) Article 169

D) Article 370

3. What was the original capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh before the bifurcation?

A) Visakhapatnam

B) Hyderabad

C) Tirupati

D) Vijayawada

4. After the bifurcation, which state became the capital of Telangana?

A) Vijayawada

B) Warangal

C) Hyderabad

D) Karimnagar

5. What is the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Telangana after bifurcation?

A) 120

B) 125

C) 119

D) 110

GS Mains Questions and Model Answer

Q1: Discuss the political and administrative implications of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014.

Answer: The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, led to the creation of Telangana, significantly altering the political landscape of the region. The bifurcation necessitated the reorganization of administrative systems, including the division of assets, resources, and infrastructure between the two states. Additionally, the Act provided for the establishment of a new capital for Andhra Pradesh, affecting governance, administration, and resource allocation for both states. The legal framework provided by the Act ensured the smooth transition of power and responsibilities, although challenges remained in terms of resource distribution and governance in the new state.

Q2: Evaluate the role of the Telangana movement in shaping the formation of the state of Telangana.

Answer: The Telangana movement was a long-standing political and social struggle, rooted in historical, economic, and cultural factors. It gained momentum in the 1960s and was revived in the early 2000s, eventually leading to the formation of Telangana in 2014. The movement was driven by demands for regional autonomy, addressing grievances about economic disparities, and political neglect under the unified Andhra Pradesh government. The movement played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse, culminating in the formation of Telangana as a separate state through the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014.

Q3: Analyze the challenges faced by Andhra Pradesh post-bifurcation and the steps taken to overcome them.

Answer: Post-bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh faced significant challenges, primarily related to the creation of a new capital, the division of resources, and economic distress. The state was left without a capital city, and the transition to a new capital, Amaravati, was delayed due to financial constraints. Additionally, there was an unequal distribution of resources and infrastructure between the two states. The central government provided financial assistance through the Special Package, and efforts were made to establish infrastructure and attract investments. Despite these efforts, the state continues to face challenges in balancing economic growth with developmental needs.

Previous Year Questions on Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014

1. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the legal and political consequences of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the formation of Telangana.

Answer: This question examines the candidate's understanding of the legal and political processes that led to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, including the constitutional amendments, division of resources, and governance challenges. The answer should cover the role of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, and its impact on both political structures and legal frameworks.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Examine the economic implications of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh on the newly formed state of Telangana.

Answer: The candidate needs to analyze the economic impacts of the bifurcation on Telangana, particularly focusing on challenges like resource distribution, financial imbalance, and the establishment of new capital infrastructure. The answer should explore both short-term and long-term economic implications, and the strategies adopted by Telangana to address these issues.