- A Bill seeking to create a new state or alter boundaries of existing states can be introduced in either House of the Parliament, only on the recommendation of the President.
- President refers the State Reorganisation Bill to the State legislature concerned for its opinion, fixing a time limit.
- The State Reorganisation Bill requires a simple majority in both Houses of the Parliament.
- Parliament is not bound to accept or act upon the views of the State Legislature on a Stale Reorganise in Bill.
- Article 4 says that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 provide for the amendment of the First and the Fourth Schedules and Supplemental, Incidental and Consequential matters are not to be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution in the purposes of Article 368.

Dhar Commission

There was a demand from different regions, mainly South India, for the reorganization of States on linguistic basis. Consequently, the Constituent Assembly appointed the SK Dhar Commission in June 1948, to study the feasibility of reorganizing the states on linguistic basis.

The Commission, rejected the linguistic basis of reorganization of States and recommended the reorganization of States on the basis of following criteria:
1. Financial self-reliance
2. Potential for development
3. Geographical contiguity
4. Administrative viability

- The report submitted by Dhar commission led to much resentment among the people. As a result, the Congress in its Jaipur Session in 1948, appointed a three member committee to consider the recommendation of the Dhar Commission, the members were Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallahbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
- This committee also rejected the linguistic factor of reorganization of the states despite popular support for it.
- JVP committee recommended the reorganization of States on the basis of security, unity, and economic prosperity of the nation.
- However, the Indian Government was forced by the death of Potti Sriramulu to create the first linguistic state, known as Andhra State, by separating the Telugu speaking areas from the Madras State. Potti Sriramulu became famous for undertaking the hunger strike in support of the formation of an Indian state for the Telugu-speaking population of Madras Presidency; he lost his life in the process. His death sparked public rioting, and prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared the intent to form Andhra State three days following his death.

- In 1953, Government appointed a three member State Reorganisation Commission under the Chairmanship of Fazl Ali, Hridaynath Kunzru and K.M.Panikkar.
- After the formation of Andhra Pradesh on the basis of linguistic factor, all hell break loose. The other regions also started demanding for creation of separate states on the basis of linguistic factor. The intense pressure forced the Indian Government to form a new commission to visit the whole question of whether the linguistic basis of separation of states can be considered or not. It led to the formation of Fazl Ali Commission in December 1953.
- It broadly accepted language as the basis of reorganisation of states. But it rejected the theory of one language one state.
- The commission submitted its report on September 1955 and acknowledged 4 major factors to be taken into account in any scheme of reorganization of states :
1. Linguistic and Cultural homogeneity.
2. Financial, Economic and Administrative considerations.
3. Preservation and strengthening of the unity and security of the nation.
4. Planning and promotion of the welfare of the people in each state as well as of the Nation as a whole.
- It suggested the reorganization of 27 states of various categories into 16 states and 3 Union Territories. The recommendations of the Fazl Ali Commission was accepted by the Indian Government with minor modifications.
- As a result, the State Reorganization Act of 1956 was passed by the Parliament to give effect to the recommendation of the commission. It led to the formation of 14 states and 6 Union Territories on 1st November, 1956.

- In 1956, there were fourteen States and six Union Territories.
- In 1953, Andhra Pradesh and in 1956 Kerala was created.
- In 1956, Karnataka was created.
- In 1960, Bombay was bifurcated into Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- In 1963, Nagaland was created as separate state.
- In 1966, Haryana was created out of Punjab and Chandigarh became a Union Territory.
- In 1970, the Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh was elevated to the status of a state.
- In 1971, Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya were granted statehood.
- In 1974, Sikkim became an associate state of the Indian Union. By the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act (1975), Sikkim became a full fledged state of the Indian Union.
- In 1986, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh came into being.
- In 1987, Goa came into existence.
- In 2000, three more new states; Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand were created.
- On 2nd June, 2014 'Telangana' state came into existence after reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh.

- National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry are headed by the Lieutenant Governor.
- Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli have a common administrator. Lakshadweep is also governed by an administrator.
- Chandigarh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands are governed by a Chief Commissioner.
- Delhi and Puducherry have Legislative Assemblies.
- There are total 7 Union Territories-Delhi, Puducherry, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- By the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act 1991, Delhi was given the status of National Capital Territory of India. It could legislate in certain matters.