Steps to Create a New State from an Existing State

The step-by-step procedure for creating a new state (e.g., Telangana from Andhra Pradesh) involves the Union Government, the President, the Parliament, and the relevant State Legislature.

1. Initiation of the Bill: The process begins when the Union (Central) Government drafts a State Reorganisation Bill. This is often in response to long-standing political, linguistic, or administrative demands from the region.
2. President's Prior Recommendation: The draft bill is sent to the President of India, who must give their "prior recommendation" before it can be introduced in Parliament.
3. Referral to State Legislature: Once the President recommends the bill, they refer it to the legislature of the state(s) being affected. The President specifies a time limit (e.g., 30 days) within which the state legislature must express its views on the bill.
4. State Legislature's Views: The state legislature debates the bill. It may pass a resolution accepting, rejecting, or proposing modifications to the bill. These "views" are then sent back to the President.
5. Parliament's Power (The Crucial Step): The President forwards the bill (along with the state's views) to the Parliament. The Parliament is not bound by the state's views. Even if the state legislature unanimously rejects the bill, Parliament has the full authority to proceed.
6. Passing the Bill: The bill is debated and voted on in both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). It must be passed by a simple majority (more than 50% of members present and voting).
7. President's Assent: After being passed by both houses, the bill is sent to the President for final assent.
8. Formation of the New State: Once the President gives assent, the bill becomes an Act (e.g., The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014), and the new state is officially formed on the date specified in the Act.