The Parliament’s power to reorganise the States of India is a cornerstone of the Indian Constitution, reflecting the country’s dynamic and evolving federal structure. Through Article 3, Parliament can alter boundaries, rename states, or even create new ones, ensuring political and administrative flexibility. For students preparing for UPSC and state-level exams, this topic is crucial for understanding federalism, constitutional amendments, and India’s unity in diversity.
This power demonstrates the strength of India’s unitary bias within its federal framework, where the Union can create, merge, or modify states for administrative efficiency and regional aspirations.
Article 3 elaborates how Parliament can reorganise state territories while maintaining constitutional propriety and balance of power.
The process begins with the President’s recommendation, followed by legislative consideration and state consultation, reflecting both executive discretion and federal dialogue.
The Parliament’s authority under Article 3 exemplifies India’s indestructible Union concept, differentiating it from federal systems like the United States.
Article 4 supplements Articles 2 and 3 by simplifying the process of creating or modifying states without invoking the stringent procedure of constitutional amendment.
To ensure administrative efficiency, laws made under Articles 2 and 3 are treated as ordinary legislation and not constitutional amendments.
The Supreme Court of India has clarified the limits and extent of Parliament’s powers under Article 3 through several landmark judgments.
This case tested the boundaries of Article 3 regarding cession of Indian territory. The Court held that reducing a state’s area to transfer land to another country requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
In 1969, the Court clarified that boundary disputes could be resolved through executive action if they did not involve cession of Indian territory.
This landmark amendment implemented the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh, bringing closure to decades of border uncertainty and humanitarian distress.
The 100th Amendment Act formalised the exchange of enclaves and settled adverse land possessions between both nations.
The amendment revised the First Schedule of the Constitution to reflect updated boundaries for Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
The long history of the Indo-Bangladesh boundary dispute reveals the continuous evolution of India’s territorial integrity and constitutional adaptability.
The Radcliffe Award (1947) demarcated India’s eastern border with East Pakistan, but discrepancies led to further negotiations and the Bagge Award (1950).
Signed in 1958, the Nehru–Noon Agreement attempted to resolve disputes, leading to the 9th Constitutional Amendment Act (1960) though not fully implemented.
On 16 May 1974, India and Bangladesh signed an agreement for final demarcation, later supplemented by the 2011 Protocol that settled adverse possessions and un-demarcated boundaries with state consent.
In essence, Article 3 empowers Parliament to reorganise states for administrative efficiency, national integration, and territorial harmony. Through constitutional provisions and judicial interpretations, India remains an indestructible union capable of adapting to geopolitical realities. This topic holds immense relevance for students and aspirants studying Indian Polity and Constitution, showcasing the nation’s ability to evolve while preserving unity.
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