Union of States

Article 1 not only gives India its dual name—“India, that is, Bharat”—but also describes the country as a “Union of States.” The Constituent Assembly was divided on whether to use a traditional or modern name, resulting in the adopted hybrid nomenclature. Moreover, the choice of the term “Union” rather than “Federation” was deliberate. As explained by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, unlike the American model based on an agreement among states, the Indian federation is a union in which states do not possess the right to secede. In this framework, the states exist primarily for administrative convenience and are inherently subject to central authority.

This conception of a union emphasizes both the unity and permanence of the nation, ensuring that while states may change in size or even be reorganized, the overall integrity of India remains inviolate.