After the reorganization of states in 1956 based on linguistic lines, there have been subsequent changes in the political map of India with the creation of new states and union territories. Here is an overview of the new states and union territories formed after 1956:
- Goa, Daman, and Diu:
- Year of Formation: In 1961, Goa, Daman, and Diu were liberated from Portuguese rule and merged into the Indian Union.
- Status Change: Goa became a separate state, and Daman and Diu became a union territory.
- Nagaland:
- Year of Formation: Nagaland was created as a separate state in 1963.
- Background: The formation of Nagaland was the result of the Naga people’s demand for a separate state due to their distinct identity and historical background.
- Haryana:
- Year of Formation: Haryana was carved out of the state of Punjab in 1966.
- Background: The demand for a separate state of Haryana arose primarily on linguistic and regional lines.
- Himachal Pradesh:
- Year of Formation: Himachal Pradesh was granted full statehood in 1971.
- Background: Earlier, Himachal Pradesh was a union territory. The decision to grant it full statehood was based on its distinct geographical and cultural features.
- Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya:
- Year of Formation: These states were created in 1972.
- Background: The reorganization was part of the larger effort to address regional and ethnic aspirations. Tripura and Manipur were union territories before their elevation to statehood.
- Sikkim:
- Year of Integration: In 1975, Sikkim was integrated into the Indian Union.
- Status Change: Sikkim became the 22nd state of India, marking its formal inclusion into the Indian Republic.
- Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh:
- Year of Formation: These states were created in 1987.
- Background: The creation of these states addressed the unique cultural and ethnic identities of the people in these regions.
- Goa:
- Year of Formation: In 1987, Goa was granted statehood.
- Background: Earlier, Goa was a union territory. The decision to grant it full statehood was based on historical and administrative considerations.
- Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand:
- Year of Formation: These states were created in the year 2000.
- Background: The formation of these states was based on the recommendations of the second State Reorganization Commission (Sarkaria Commission) and aimed at addressing regional imbalances and ethnic aspirations.
- Telangana:
- Year of Formation: In 2014, Telangana was carved out of the state of Andhra Pradesh.
- Background: The creation of Telangana was a result of decades-long demands for a separate state based on regional and economic disparities.
- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh:
- Year of Reorganization: In 2019, the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated, and the region was reorganized into two separate union territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Background: This move aimed to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the rest of India and provide better governance and development opportunities.
These changes in the political and administrative divisions of India reflect the ongoing efforts to address regional aspirations, linguistic identities, and administrative efficiency while maintaining the unity and integrity of the country.
