Telangana was established as a separate state by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. It became the 29th state of India with Hyderabad as its capital for 10 years, shared with Andhra Pradesh.

States and Union Territories are an important part of the UPSC General Studies Preparation. Here we will discuss the State of Telangana.

Basic Facts

• Telangana is situated in the southern-central part of the Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It was the eleventh largest state and the twelfth most populated state in India as per the 2011 census. Telugu is the most widely spoken and the primary official language of the state.
• The economy of Telangana is the ninth-largest in India. It has emerged as a major focal point for IT software companies, industry and the services sector.
• When India became independent in 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad did not want to merge with the Indian Union and wanted to remain independent. The Government of India annexed Hyderabad State on 17 September 1948 after a military operation called Operation Polo.

Formation of Telangana

• In 1953, the States Reorganisation Commission was appointed for the creation of states on linguistic lines. The commission, due to public demand, recommended the disintegration of Hyderabad State and a merger of the Marathi-speaking region with Bombay State and of the Kannada-speaking region with Mysore state.
• The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) also discussed the merger of Telugu-speaking Telangana region of Hyderabad state with Andhra state. The commission was in favour of the creation of a separate state for poor underdeveloped Telanga region which may be known as the Hyderabad State with provision for its unification with Andhra after the general elections likely to be held in 1961 if by a two-thirds majority the legislature of the residuary Hyderabad State expresses itself in favour of such unification.
• Gentlemen's agreement of Andhra Pradesh was signed between Telangana and Andhra leaders before the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh of India on 20 February 1956. It provided safeguards with the purpose of preventing discrimination against Telangana by the government of Andhra Pradesh. Actually, violations of the same agreement are cited as one of the reasons for formation of separate statehood for Telangana.
• In 1969, the first major Telangana movement erupted, with large-scale protests and strikes. It was suppressed, but the demand for a separate state persisted.
• The demand for Telangana gained momentum again in the early 2000s, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the regional disparities.
• K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2001, with the primary aim of achieving statehood for Telangana.
• In 2009, KCR began a hunger strike, which galvanized massive support and widespread protests across the region.
• The Indian government announced the initiation of the process to form Telangana in December 2009, but this led to counter-protests in Andhra Pradesh.
• Srikrishna Committee was appointed in 2010. It observed that the continuing demand for a separate Telangana has some merit and is not entirely unjustified.
• In 2013, the Congress Working Committee unanimously passed a resolution to recommend the formation of a separate Telangana state. Ultimately Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 was passed by the Parliament of India for the formation of Telangana state, comprising ten districts from north-western Andhra Pradesh.
• Telangana officially became the 29th state of India on June 2, 2014, with Hyderabad as its capital for 10 years, shared with Andhra Pradesh.

Conclusion

The creation of Telangana was the culmination of a decades-long struggle by local people, who sought recognition and administrative independence due to perceived economic neglect, lack of infrastructure, and cultural marginalization within the state of Andhra Pradesh.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Telangana was formed in the year:

A) 2010
B) 2012
C) 2014
D) 2016

2. The capital city of Telangana is:

A) Chennai
B) Bangalore
C) Hyderabad
D) Mumbai

3. Who was the primary political party behind the creation of Telangana?

A) Indian National Congress
B) Bharatiya Janata Party
C) Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)
D) Telugu Desam Party

4. What is one of the primary economic sectors of Telangana?

A) Textiles
B) IT and Biotechnology
C) Tourism
D) Mining

5. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, provided for:

A) Formation of Telangana and the allocation of assets and liabilities
B) Creation of a new language for Telangana
C) Allocation of water resources from the Ganga river
D) Devolution of powers to local governments

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the creation of Telangana.

Answer: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), led by K. Chandrashekar Rao, played a pivotal role in the formation of Telangana. The TRS initiated and led the movement for a separate state based on demands for economic justice, cultural identity, and political autonomy. The party's political strategy involved mass mobilization, protests, and lobbying with central government officials. The TRS succeeded in gaining political support from the people of Telangana and other political parties, ultimately leading to the formation of Telangana through the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014. TRS's leadership was crucial in uniting various sections of society, including students, intellectuals, and political figures, for the cause of a separate state.

Q2: How did the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh impact the socio-economic development of Telangana?

Answer: The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh created both opportunities and challenges for Telangana. On the positive side, Telangana gained control over its resources, enabling the state to focus on its development priorities. The formation of the state allowed for targeted economic policies and more localized governance. Telangana's economy saw rapid growth, particularly in sectors like IT, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. However, challenges remained in terms of resource allocation, especially in water-sharing agreements with Andhra Pradesh. Telangana also faced difficulties in addressing regional disparities in development, with rural areas lagging behind urban centers like Hyderabad in terms of infrastructure and access to education and healthcare.

Q3: Evaluate the role of Hyderabad in the socio-economic transformation of Telangana post its formation as a separate state.

Answer: Hyderabad, as the capital of Telangana, has played a central role in the state's socio-economic transformation. It is one of India's major IT hubs, attracting multinational corporations and driving the state's economy. The city has also seen significant developments in infrastructure, real estate, and education. Additionally, Hyderabad's cosmopolitan nature and diverse cultural heritage have made it a prominent center for innovation, trade, and business in the region. However, the state has also faced challenges in ensuring that the benefits of this growth reach rural and underdeveloped areas of Telangana, requiring targeted efforts in policy and development initiatives.

Previous Year Questions on Telangana and Statehood Movements

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2014:

Question: Telangana was formed as a separate state based on:

A) Economic and political reasons
B) Linguistic and cultural differences
C) Agricultural demands
D) Religious identities

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Telangana was formed primarily due to economic and political reasons, with demands for better development, cultural identity, and autonomy.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 2):

Question: Discuss the challenges faced by Telangana after its creation and the measures taken to address them.

Answer: After its creation, Telangana faced challenges such as resource allocation, water disputes with Andhra Pradesh, and disparities in development between urban and rural areas. The state government took measures such as focusing on IT and industrial development, implementing rural development programs, and addressing water-sharing concerns through negotiations with Andhra Pradesh. The socio-economic upliftment of backward regions and improving the livelihoods of farmers remained key priorities for the government.

*email: contactus@prepp.in