Home The Constitution Part I

Part I: Union and its Territory

Articles 1–4 · Part I establishes India as an indestructible 'Union of States' — not a looser confederation of pre-existing sovereign states — and gives Parliament sweeping power to create, merge, rename, or redraw the boundaries of states and union territories by ordinary law, without a constitutional amendment.

Key Articles

The provisions in this Part cited most often

With landmark Supreme Court cases that shaped how they're actually applied.

Art. 1

India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States

This is the Constitution's opening line — it deliberately says 'Union', not 'Federation', because unlike the US or Australia, Indian states didn't come together voluntarily and can't secede; Parliament can alter or merge them.

In Re: Berubari UnionAIR 1960 SC 845 — Held that ceding Indian territory to another country requires a constitutional amendment under Article 368, not just an ordinary law under Article 3. Verify this case

Art. 3

Parliament's power to form new states and alter boundaries

By a simple ordinary law (not a constitutional amendment), Parliament can form a new state, increase or reduce a state's area, or change its boundaries or name — after referring the Bill to the affected state legislature for its (non-binding) views. This is the actual legal basis for every state reorganisation since 1950, including Telangana's creation in 2014.

Babulal Parate v. State of BombayAIR 1960 SC 51 — Confirmed Parliament need not re-consult a state legislature even if the Bill is later amended after the initial reference. Verify this case

Every Article In This Part

All of Articles 1–4

Grouped by subject so related provisions stay together — every article number in this Part is covered below.

Art. 1

Name and territory of the Union

India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States; its territory includes the states, union territories, and any territory that may be acquired.

Art. 2

Admission or establishment of new states

Parliament may admit new states into the Union, or establish new states, on terms it decides.

Art. 2A

(Repealed)

Originally dealt with Sikkim's 'associate state' status; repealed once Sikkim became a full state of India in 1975 via the 36th Amendment.

Art. 3

Formation of new states; alteration of areas, boundaries or names

Parliament can, by ordinary law, form a new state, increase or diminish a state's area, alter its boundaries, or change its name — the basis for every state reorganisation since 1950.

Art. 4

Consequential amendments to the First and Fourth Schedules

Laws passed under Articles 2 and 3 can amend the First Schedule (list of states/UTs) and Fourth Schedule (Rajya Sabha seats) directly, without being treated as a constitutional amendment under Article 368.

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Frequently Asked

Quick answers about this Part

Can a state secede from India?

No — Article 1 establishes an indestructible Union with no constitutional right for any state to secede; India is not a compact of sovereign states the way some federations are.

How are new states like Telangana actually created?

Through an ordinary Act of Parliament under Article 3 — no constitutional amendment or unanimous consent from other states is required, only a reference to the affected state legislature for its opinion, which Parliament isn't bound to follow.

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This is a plain-language guide to Part I of the Constitution of India for general educational purposes, not a substitute for the bare text of the Constitution or professional legal advice. Article numbering and content reflect amendments up to 2026; always cross-check the authoritative text at india.gov.in or legislative.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter.