Indian States Formation Dates (1950–2025), Complete List & PDF
Complete list of Indian states formation dates & Union Territories with year-wise table and PDF. Check the Complete list of Union Territories and Indian states Formation Dates here.
Deeksha Dixit1 Nov, 2025
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Indian States Formation Dates: India is a vast and diverse nation of 28 states and 8 Union Territories (UT), with each state having a rich history and unique culture. The formation of Indian states, as we know them today, was a long process influenced by cultural, linguistic, and administrative reasons. Knowledge of Indian states formation dates is crucial for aspirants preparing for exams like UPSC.
Indian states formation date gives an idea of the historical timeline of India's development and regional history. Keep reading to learn more about the formation dates of Indian states and Union Territories.
November 1 Foundation Day States
November 1 is celebrated as the foundation day in several Indian states, marking their formation and cultural heritage. Andhra Pradesh celebrates its Foundation Day on November 1, commemorating its formation in 1956 by merging Telugu-speaking regions. Karnataka also observes November 1 to mark the day it was carved out of the Madras Presidency and Mysore State in 1956. Kerala celebrates this day as well, recognizing its birth through the States Reorganization Act in 1956. Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab all mark November 1 as their foundation day, reflecting the formation or reorganization of their territories during or after independence. This day holds great significance for these states, celebrated with various cultural and official events annually.
Formation of Indian States and Union Territories
The formation of Indian states and union territories has been an evolving process that started after India gained independence from British rule in 1947. At the time of independence, India was divided into over 565 princely states and 17 provinces , which were integrated into the country under the leadership of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel and his Secretary V.P. Menon by 1948. Later in when the Indian constitution was being crafted in 1949, the First Schedule of the Constitution organized territories into:
Part A : Former Governors' provinces.
Part B: Former Princely States or groups of Princely States.
Part C: Territories managed by commissioners appointed by the President.
Part D: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
However, linguistic and cultural aspirations soon demanded further reorganization, leading to the creation of new states. The first significant step in this process came with the States Reorganization Act of 1956. The formation of Indian states has continued even in recent decades, with the latest state being Telangana , which was formed in 2014.
States Reorganization Act of 1956
One of the most significant steps in the reorganization of Indian states was the States Reorganization Act of 1956 . This act was passed to address the demand for states based on linguistic lines following the formation of Andhra for Telugu-speaking people in 1953 . The act replaced the previous structure with the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories :
Indian States and Union Territories (1956)
States
Assam, Bihar, Bombay, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madras (renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969), Madhya Pradesh, Mysore (renamed as Karnataka in 1973), Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Union Territories
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Delhi, Manipur, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands.
The process continued after the 1956 Act, with further reorganizations to accommodate various linguistic, cultural, and administrative needs. Subsequent states were formed, and existing states underwent boundary changes with the latest being in 2019 .
Indian States Formation Dates List
The formation of Indian states is a dynamic process that has taken place over decades. Below is a table of the Indian states formation dates in chronological order:
List of Indian States Formation Dates
State Name
Formation Date
Formed By
Previous Status
Significance
Andhra Pradesh
1 November 1953
Linguistic Reorganization
Part of Madras State
First linguistic state
Karnataka
1 November 1956
States Reorganization Act (SRA 1956)
Part of Mysore State
Created to incorporate Kannada-speaking areas.
Kerala
1 November 1956
SRA 1956
Part of Travancore-Cochin
Unified several regions for the Malayali population.
Maharashtra
1 May 1960
Bombay Reorganisation Act
Part of Bombay State
Established for Marathi speakers following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement
Gujarat
1 May 1960
Bombay Reorganisation Act
Part of Bombay State
Formed from Gujarati-speaking areas due to the Mahagujarat movement
Nagaland
1 December 1963
Nagaland Act
Part of Assam
Recognized the rights of the Naga people and their unique culture
Punjab
1 November 1966
Punjab Reorganisation Act
Part of Punjab State
Created to represent Punjabi-speaking populations after the Punjabi Suba movement
Haryana
1 November 1966
Punjab Reorganisation Act
Part of Punjab State
Established to cater to Hindi-speaking residents in the former Punjab region.
Himachal Pradesh
25 January 1971
Himachal Pradesh Act
Union territory till 1971
Recognized the distinct cultural identity of the region establishing a full-fledged state
Manipur
21 January 1972
North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971
Union Territory
Acknowledged the aspirations of the Manipuri people
Meghalaya
21 January 1972
North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971
Union Territory
Cater to Garo and Khasi ethnic groups
Tripura
21 January 1972
North Eastern Region (Reorganisation) Act, 1971
Union Territory
Recognized the rights and identity of the Tripuri people
Sikkim
16 May 1975
Constitution (36th Amendment) Act of 1975
Formerly a Kingdom
Grant statehood to the “associate state” of Sikkim after referendum
Mizoram
20 February 1987
Mizoram Accord
Union Territory
Established to address ethnic identity and local governance issues
Arunachal Pradesh
20 February 1987
Arunachal Pradesh Act 1986
Union Territory
Converted the North-East Frontier Agency into the state due to strategic importance
Goa
30 May 1987
Goa, Daman, and Diu Reorganisation Act
Union Territory
Achieved statehood after liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961
Jharkhand
15 November 2000
Bihar Reorganisation Act
Part of Bihar
Addressed local governance challenges and development issues.
Chhattisgarh
1 November 2000
Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act
Part of Madhya Pradesh
Aimed at improving local administration and addressing regional disparities.
Uttarakhand
9 November 2000
Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act
Part of Uttar Pradesh
Address unique developmental needs in the Uttaranchal region.
Telangana
2 June 2014
Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act
Part of Andhra Pradesh
Established after a long struggle for identity and self-governance.
List of Union Territories Formation Dates
Union Territories (UTs) in India are regions that are governed directly by the Central Government rather than having their own state governments. India's union territories were created for various reasons, including administrative convenience, geographical factors, and cultural considerations. Some of these territories have been converted into states , while two new ones were created in Jammu and Kashmir. Below is a table of union territories and their formation dates:
Union Territories Formation Dates
Union Territories
Formation Date
Formed By
Status Before Foundation
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
1 November 1956
States Reorganisation Act of 1956
Previously British-controlled territory later Part D state
Delhi
1 November 1956
SRA of 1956
Part C state in the first schedule of the Indian Constitution
Lakshadweep
1 November 1956
SRA of 1956
Part of Madras state
Chandigarh
1 November 1966
Punjab Reorganisation Act
Part of the East Punjab
Puducherry
1 July 1963
Integration of French Territories
Formerly French colonies
Jammu & Kashmir
31 October 2019
Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act
Formerly a special state with autonomy
Ladakh
31 October 2019
Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act
Previously part of Jammu & Kashmir
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
26 January 2020
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019
Separate UTs of Daman and Diu (30 May 1987) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (11 August 1961)
The formation of Indian states and union territories has shaped the country's political, cultural, and administrative landscape. For UPSC aspirants, understanding these formation dates and their historical significance is crucial for both prelims and mains examinations. Are you preparing for UPSC and want to excel in the 2025 exam? Join PW UPSC Courses and get access to high-quality study materials, expert guidance, test series, and more. Enroll now to start your journey toward success!
The first state to be formed in India after independence was Andhra Pradesh, created on 1 November 1953.
What was the first Indian state formed based on language?
Andhra Pradesh was the first state formed based on language in 1953, following demands for a Telugu-speaking state.
When did Telangana become a separate state?
Telangana was officially formed on June 2, 2014, separating from Andhra Pradesh.
How many Indian states were formed after independence?
India has 28 states and 8 union territories, several of which were formed post-independence through reorganization and demands for linguistic or regional identities.
What is the latest state formed in India?
Telangana, which was formed in 2014, is the latest state to be created in India.
Which states in India celebrate Foundation Day on November 1?
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab celebrate Foundation Day on November 1.
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