1. The AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 and the Capital Question
In 2014, the state of Andhra Pradesh was divided and Telangana became India's 29th state at the time. The AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 decides many issues that still appear in news: the capital, Polavaram, special status and division of assets.
Key provisions of the Act
- The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 was passed by Parliament in February 2014. Telangana was formed on 2 June 2014 (the 'appointed day').
- Hyderabad was made the common capital of both states for a period not exceeding 10 years. This period ended on 2 June 2024, and Hyderabad is now the capital of Telangana only.
- Section 90 of the Act declared the Polavaram Irrigation Project a national project, with the Centre to execute it.
- The Act also dealt with sharing of assets, liabilities, employees, and river water management boards for the Krishna and Godavari.
- Promises linked to the Act included educational and other central institutions in AP and the study of a new railway zone.
Special Category Status debate (neutral summary)
- During the Rajya Sabha debate in February 2014, the then Prime Minister announced that special category status would be given to AP for five years.
- Successive AP governments and parties have demanded special category status, saying the state lost revenue after bifurcation.
- The Centre has said that after the 14th Finance Commission, special category status is not given to new states, and it offered a special assistance package instead (announced in 2016).
- This remains a political issue. In an exam, answer only factual questions about dates and provisions.
The capital: Amaravati
- The foundation of Amaravati as the new capital, on the banks of the Krishna in Guntur district, was laid in October 2015.
- In 2020, the then state government passed a law for three capitals (Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Kurnool). That law was repealed in 2021.
- After the change of government in 2024, Amaravati works were restarted. Prime Minister Modi relaunched the works on 2 May 2025.
- Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (Lok Sabha on 1 April, Rajya Sabha on 2 April 2026). It amends Section 5(2) to say 'Amaravati shall be the new capital'.
- After the President's assent, the Act was notified in the Gazette in the first week of April 2026 and is deemed to have come into force from 2 June 2024. Most parties supported it; the YSRCP opposed it, citing concerns of farmers who gave land.
Quick facts
- Telangana formed
- 2 June 2014
- Common capital Hyderabad
- Up to 10 years; ended 2 June 2024
- Polavaram national project
- Section 90, APRA 2014
- Amaravati foundation
- October 2015
- Three-capital law
- Passed 2020, repealed 2021
- Amaravati works relaunched
- 2 May 2025 (PM Modi)
- APRA (Amendment) Act 2026
- Amaravati named capital; notified April 2026; effect from 2 June 2024
💡 For capital-question MCQs, keep the order clear: 2015 foundation, 2020 three-capital law, 2021 repeal, 2025 relaunch, 2026 statutory status by Parliament.
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