Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956

The Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 replaced the Constitution's original fourfold territorial classification with a simpler division into states and Union territories. It supplied the constitutional framework required for the large-scale reorganisation undertaken in 1956.

Classification before the amendment

The original First Schedule grouped India's constituent units according to their differing constitutional and administrative backgrounds.

• Part A states largely comprised the former Governors' Provinces of British India.
• Part B states comprised former princely states or their unions, generally headed by Rajpramukhs.
• Part C states were administered by the Union through Chief Commissioners or Lieutenant Governors.
• Part D consisted of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

New classification introduced

The amendment abolished the distinctions among Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D units. The revised First Schedule recognised only two territorial categories: states and Union territories.

• The reorganisation produced 14 states and 6 Union territories with effect from 1956.
• The former Part B states lost their separate constitutional category, helping establish a more uniform constitutional status among states.
• Centrally administered territories were placed in the distinct category of Union territories.

Relationship with territorial reorganisation

The amendment operated alongside the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. The Act altered state boundaries, substantially on linguistic and administrative considerations, while the constitutional amendment revised the constitutional classification and related provisions needed for the new arrangement.