Part I of the Constitution of India, titled “The Union and its Territory,” outlines the territorial dimensions and organization of the Indian Republic. This part consists of Articles 1 to 4 and provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the geographical and political divisions within India.
Article 1: Name and Territory of the Union
Article 1 declares that India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. It goes on to specify the territories that comprise the Union of India. Initially, these territories included the territories of the provinces of British India, the princely states that acceded to the Dominion of India after independence, and any other territory acquired by the Government of India.
Article 2: Admission or Establishment of New States
Article 2 empowers the Parliament to admit new states into the Union or establish new states on terms and conditions it deems fit. It also allows for the alteration of the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states.
Article 3: Formation of New States and Alteration of Areas, Boundaries, or Names of Existing States
Article 3 grants authority to the Parliament to form new states or alter the boundaries of existing states. The President’s recommendation is required for such changes, and it ensures that the process aligns with the principles of federalism.
Article 4: Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 to provide for the amendment of the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule
Article 4 specifies that laws enacted under Articles 2 and 3 may include provisions for amending the First Schedule (which lists the states and union territories) and the Fourth Schedule (which pertains to the representation of states and union territories in the Rajya Sabha).
First Schedule: States and Union Territories
The First Schedule of the Constitution lists the names of the states and union territories along with their respective territories. The Schedule is subject to alteration through parliamentary legislation under Article 2 and Article 3.
Fourth Schedule: Allocation of Seats in the Rajya Sabha
The Fourth Schedule deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) to the states and union territories. Changes in representation due to alterations in states’ boundaries or the creation of new states can be made through legislation under Article 4.
Significance:
“The Union and its Territory” is a critical part of the Constitution as it establishes the geographical and political framework of the Indian Union. It provides a mechanism for the creation of new states, alteration of state boundaries, and changes in the representation of states in the Rajya Sabha. This ensures flexibility to accommodate geopolitical changes while preserving the federal structure of the Indian Republic. The provisions in this part underscore the constitutional principles of unity with diversity and the federal nature of the Indian political system.
