- Why in news
- On 1 April 2026 the Lok Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which gives legal backing to Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh, according to Union MoS Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.
- What it is
- The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 split Andhra Pradesh and created Telangana. Hyderabad was made the common capital for up to ten years. The 2026 amendment amends this Act to name Amaravati as the state's sole capital, ending the dispute over the capital.
- Land pooling
- Over 29,000 farmers gave more than 34,000 acres under voluntary land pooling for Amaravati.
- Projects underway
- 91 major infrastructure projects worth over ₹56,000 crore are underway in Amaravati.
- Parent Act
- The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 created Telangana as the 29th state, with effect from 2 June 2014.
- Constitutional basis
- Parliament can form new states and alter the boundaries or names of existing states by law under Article 3. Such a law is not treated as a constitutional amendment under Article 368 (Article 4).
Don’t confuse with Article 3 vs Article 368: Article 3 reorganisation laws need a simple majority and are not constitutional amendments. Article 368 amendments need special majorities and, for some subjects, ratification by states.
Don’t confuse with Amaravati vs Hyderabad: Hyderabad was the common capital for up to ten years after 2014 and now belongs to Telangana. Amaravati is the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Gives legal certainty on the capital, which can aid governance and investor confidence.
- Land pooling gives a model of participatory urban development in which farmers are stakeholders.
Problems
- Federal question: the location of a state capital is normally a state matter, and the use of Parliament's powers to settle it can be debated.
- Heavy cost and long timelines of building a greenfield capital, with environmental and farmer-compensation concerns.
Way forward
- Complete the funded projects on time with transparent use of funds and honouring of land-pooling commitments.
- Balance development across regions of the state to address regional grievances.
Put in your answer
Land pooling: Over 29,000 farmers pooled more than 34,000 acres, a model of voluntary participation in building a capital.
Articles 3 and 4: Parliament can reorganise states by simple majority law under Articles 3 and 4, outside Article 368.
- 2022Mains GS1 · Q11Discuss political and administrative reorganization of states and territories, with examples.
- 2018Mains GS1 · Q12Discuss whether formation of new states is beneficial for India's economy.
- 2013Mains GS1 · Q18Discuss how growing regionalism generates demand for separate statehood.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.Parliament can form a new state or alter the boundaries of existing states by law under Article 3 of the Constitution.
- 2.A law made under Article 3 must be passed as a constitutional amendment under Article 368, with ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
- 3.The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 made Hyderabad a common capital of the successor states for a period not exceeding ten years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Amaravati has been developed on land acquired compulsorily by the State under land acquisition law.
False. The Amaravati model is built on voluntary land pooling by farmers.
2.More than 29,000 farmers gave over 34,000 acres of land for Amaravati.
True. Over 29,000 farmers pledged more than 34,000 acres.
3.Parliament may form a new state or alter state boundaries under Article 3 of the Constitution.
True. Article 3 empowers Parliament to do so by law.
4.A law under Article 3 must be passed as a constitutional amendment under Article 368, with ratification by half of the states.
False. Article 4 says such laws are not constitutional amendments under Article 368, so a simple majority suffices.
5.The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 made Hyderabad a common capital for both successor states for a period not exceeding ten years.
True. Hyderabad was the common capital for up to ten years from 2014.
6.Before introducing a Bill under Article 3 that affects a state's area or name, the President must refer it to that state's legislature, whose views are binding on Parliament.
False. The President refers the Bill to the state legislature for its views, but Parliament is not bound by them.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Lok Sabha has passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which gives legal backing to Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. Examine the constitutional provisions under which Parliament can reorganise states and discuss the role of state legislatures in this process. What challenges arise in building a new capital through voluntary land pooling?
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.