Subject: Polity
The evolution of India’s political map is a dynamic story of integration, reorganization, and adaptation. At independence, India comprised British provinces and over 500 princely states, which were integrated into the Union through varied methods – from referendum and accession to police action.
Originally, the Constitution classified territories into four categories (Parts A, B, C, and D). However, linguistic, cultural, and administrative pressures led to the appointment of commissions—such as the Dhar Commission and the JVP Committee—to re-examine state boundaries. This culminated in the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, which abolished the earlier four-fold classification and reorganized states primarily on linguistic lines.
Since 1956, India has witnessed continuous changes: the bifurcation of Bombay into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960; the integration of territories like Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Daman, and Diu; the creation of new states such as Nagaland, Haryana, and later Telangana; and the recent reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories. Each change reflects the evolving aspirations of India’s diverse population and the central government’s role in maintaining national unity.
This ongoing evolution underscores India’s ability to adapt its internal boundaries to better serve administrative efficiency, cultural identity, and regional development.