🇮🇳 Linguistic Reorganisation of States in India

GS Paper 1 & 2 | Topic: Indian Constitution, Federalism, Language Policy

Source:-IE

🧠 Why this topic is in news?

Recently, the Governor of Tamil Nadu made a remark that criticized the linguistic-based reorganisation of Indian states. This again started the debate — was dividing states on the basis of language a good idea or not?

🕰️ Background: How states were reorganised in India?

1. Initial Setup After Independence (1950-56)

After 1947, India had very confusing state boundaries, mainly kept from British time.
In 1950, states were grouped like this:
- Part A – British provinces (like Bombay, Madras etc.)
- Part B – Princely states (like Hyderabad)
- Part C – Small provinces (like Delhi)
- Part D – Only Andaman & Nicobar

But this was temporary. People wanted reorganisation, especially based on language and culture.

2. Demand for Linguistic States Begins

In South India, especially Telugu-speaking people wanted a separate state.
A freedom fighter, Potti Sreeramulu, died after a 56-day hunger strike in 1952.
👉 This made the govt. create Andhra State in 1953 (carved from Madras Presidency).

3. Committees Formed to Study the Issue

a) Dhar Commission (1948)

Said language is not a good idea for state formation.
Feared it may break the unity of India.

b) JVP Committee (1949)

Members: Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Pattabhi Sitaramayya
Also said: Wait! Don’t rush. Language may create disunity.

c) States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), 1953

Headed by Justice Fazl Ali
Other members: K.M. Panikkar and H.N. Kunzru
Gave report in 1955
Suggested: Yes, language can be used, but not alone — also think about unity, economic logic, and administrative ease.

4. States Reorganisation Act, 1956

Passed based on SRC report
India got 14 states & 6 Union Territories
Part A, B, C, D system was removed.
They created states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Karnataka.

👉 Later, more states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Telangana etc. were created based on local identity, governance needs, and demands.

✅ Arguments in favour of Linguistic Reorganisation

1. Cultural Respect in Federalism

India is super diverse.
Giving states based on language made people feel included & respected.
It matched with democracy and saved India from separatist ideas.

2. Prevented Break-up Like Pakistan or Sri Lanka

In Pakistan, Bengalis were oppressed – led to Bangladesh in 1971.
In Sri Lanka, Tamil-Sinhala conflict became violent.
👉 India managed to avoid this by giving language space in politics.

3. Better Governance

Language helps in local administration.
People can understand laws, orders, and govt. schemes better.
Even education and courts work better in local languages.

4. Strong Regional Parties Rose

States gave voice to local leaders.
Regional parties like DMK, Shiv Sena, TMC etc. became part of national politics.
It made democracy stronger.

5. Unity in Diversity

It didn’t divide India.
Instead, it made people proud of both their state and country.

❌ Arguments against Linguistic Reorganisation

1. Rise of Regionalism & Language Chauvinism

In some states, dominant language groups suppress others.
- Example: Marathi vs. Hindi speakers in Maharashtra
Creates majority vs minority issue even inside states.

2. Too Much Politics on Language

Some leaders keep demanding new states just to gain power.
They use language sentiments to win votes.

3. Inter-State Disputes Still Exist

Example:Karnataka and Maharashtra, for instance, both claim the region based on language in the Belagavi dispute.
Such border fights still go on.

4. More & More Demands for New States

These days, they request Gorkhaland, Tulu Nadu, Vidarbha, etc.
It puts pressure on resources, governance, and national integration.

5. National Identity May Suffer

Some say: "We are Telugu, Marathi, Bengali first"
The premise that "We are Indians first" is undermined by this.

💡 What Can Be India’s Future Strategy on Language?

1. No Forcing Any Language

Don’t push Hindi or any other language on others.
Follow 3-language formula, but flexibly.
Let states teach regional language + Hindi + English or any combo.

2. Promote Multilingual Education

Early mother tongue instruction is recommended by NEP 2020..
Also promote learning multiple languages.

3. Protect Minorities Inside States

Use Article 29 & 30 — give rights to linguistic minorities.
Let them run schools, cultural groups etc.

4. Encourage Cultural Exchanges

Govt. programs like ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ should be done more.
People from UP should know Tamil culture, and vice-versa.

5. Multilingual Governance

Use local languages + Hindi + English in govt forms, signs, online content.
Platforms like Bhashini can help in this — it translates and makes govt content available in all Indian languages.

✅ Conclusion

India is a multilingual country, and that’s our strength. Language should bring people closer, not divide.

👉 Past reorganisation worked because it respected diversity, but we need to keep improving.
👉 In future, policies should be inclusive, flexible, and respectful to all languages.
👉 If we do that, our federalism will become stronger, not weaker.

🇮🇳 Anti-Defection Law

🧠 GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution | Parliament | State Legislature | Constitutional Amendments

Source:-IE

📌 Why in News?
The Supreme Court chastised the Speaker of the Telangana Assembly for postponing the judgment to disqualify MLAs who switched parties in the Padi Kaushik Reddy v. State of Telangana (2025) case.parties in 2024.
So, this issue again brought the Anti-Defection Law in news.

🧾 What is Defection?

Defection means when a political leader leaves their party and joins another one — mainly for personal gain or political benefit.
It’s like saying “I got more power or benefits there, so I’m jumping ship!”

You might’ve heard the term “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” — it started in 1967 when one MLA in Haryana changed parties multiple times in one day!

📜 Origin of Anti-Defection Law

Due to frequent defections post-Independence, political instability was increasing.
So, in 1985, India added the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution via the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
It applies to both Parliament and State Assemblies.
Later in 2003, the 91st Amendment made it stronger by:
- Removing the "one-third split" rule.
- Now, only two-thirds of a party can merge without getting disqualified.
- Defectors can’t become ministers unless they’re re-elected.

🚫 Grounds for Disqualification under Anti-Defection Law

Voluntarily gives up party membership — not just resignation but also behavior showing disloyalty.
Voting/abstaining against party whip — even skipping voting as per party line can cause disqualification.
Independents joining a party after elections — will be disqualified.
Nominated members joining a party after 6 months of being nominated — also disqualified.

✅ Exceptions (When Disqualification Won't Happen)

If two-thirds of legislators agree to merge, then no disqualification happens.
Speaker/Deputy Speaker/Chairman can leave party to remain neutral without losing seat.

🧑‍⚖️ Role of the Speaker/Chairman

They decide if someone should be disqualified or not.
But the problem is, they often belong to ruling parties, so their neutrality is questioned.

❗Criticism of the Anti-Defection Law

Kills inner debate – MPs/MLAs can’t vote by conscience, only have to follow party orders.
Speaker is biased sometimes – Since he’s from a party, he may not act fair in judging his own party members.
No time limit – Speakers take months or even years to decide defection cases.
Horse-trading – Defection is allowed if 2/3rd members agree to merge. This encourages unethical deals.
Whips are not transparent – MPs/MLAs may not even know about whip orders due to poor communication.

⚖️ Supreme Court’s Stand on Anti-Defection

Keisham Meghachandra Case (2020) – SC said:
- Speaker must decide disqualification within 3 months.
- Proposed the creation of an impartial tribunal to handle disqualification cases.
Ravi Naik Case (1994) – Said Speaker must act neutral, not like a party person.
Kihoto Hollohan Case (1992) – SC said:
- Speaker’s decision is subject to Judicial Review.
- Court can interfere if Speaker acts biased or breaks rules.
Padi Kaushik Reddy Case (2025) – SC again asked Parliament to review and reform the anti-defection system.

🛠️ Reforms Suggested to Improve Anti-Defection Law

Limit the Law’s use
- Apply disqualification only during major votes like no-confidence motion, not every time.
Change who decides
- Shift power from Speaker to an independent body like the Election Commission.
Fix a strict time limit
- Example: Speaker must decide within 60 or 90 days.
Encourage internal democracy
- Parties should allow more internal debates, not just top-down orders.
Make everything transparent
- Whips should be made public via newspapers or online.
- Disqualification cases should be open to public view.

📚 Expert Committees Recommendations

170th Law Commission Report
Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990)
Law Commission Reports (1999 & 2015)
2nd ARC
Hashim Abdul Halim Committee (1994)

All these said: Make the law more time-bound, transparent, and handled by neutral authorities.

🧾 Conclusion

The Anti-Defection Law was made to stop MLAs/MPs from switching sides for money or power.
But today, the law itself is being manipulated or delayed — mainly because Speaker’s power is unchecked and there’s no time limit.

Now the Supreme Court is also saying: “Time for change!”
So, if India wants strong democracy, it must fix this law — by making it fairer, faster, and less political.

🧾 Anti-Defection Law – FAQ for UPSC

❓1. What is defection in politics?

👉 Defection means leaving your political party and joining another one, usually for personal benefit like getting a minister post, money, or more power.

❓2. Why was the Anti-Defection Law brought in?

👉 Because in the 1960s–80s, MLAs and MPs kept switching parties, leading to political instability. So, in 1985, India made the Anti-Defection Law through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment to stop this trend.

❓3. What is the Tenth Schedule?

👉 The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the Anti-Defection Law. It lists all the rules on when and how a politician can be disqualified if they defect.

❓4. Who decides disqualification under this law?

👉 The Speaker of the Lok Sabha (for MPs) or State Legislative Assembly Speaker (for MLAs) decides the disqualification cases.

❓5. What are the grounds for disqualification?

👉 A legislator can be disqualified if:

They voluntarily give up party membership (even without resigning).
They vote or abstain against the party whip.
An independent candidate joins a party after the election.
A nominated member joins a party after 6 months of becoming MLA/MP.

🇮🇳 India–EFTA TEPA: A Big Step in Economic Diplomacy

Source:-HT

📰 Why in News?

The TEPA deal between India and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) will start from 1st October 2025.
It was signed on 10 March 2024 after 21 long rounds of negotiations since 2008. That's like 16 years of talks finally working!

🤝 What is TEPA Exactly?

TEPA = Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
Between India and 4 EFTA countries:
✅ Iceland
✅ Liechtenstein
✅ Norway
✅ Switzerland
(All these are not part of EU, remember that for Prelims!)
Objective? To boost trade, increase investment, and create jobs by cutting tariffs (import taxes) and simplifying trade.

🔑 Key Features of TEPA

1. 💰 Huge Investment Promise

EFTA to invest $100 billion in India in next 15 years.
- $50 billion in first 10 years.
- Another $50 billion in next 5 years.
Goal is to create 10 lakh jobs (1 million) in India.

Ye investment wala point mains ke liye bahut important hai!

2. 🛃 Tariff Concessions – Who's Giving What?

EFTA will cut tariffs on 92.2% of lines, covering 99.6% of India’s exports (mostly industrial & processed foods).
India will cut tariffs on 82.7% of lines, covering 95.3% of EFTA exports, including gold (but no change in real import duty here).
Indian rice (both basmati & non-basmati) will get duty-free access in EFTA — and India doesn’t have to give anything in return. 🎉

3. ❌ Sensitive Sectors Protected

India excluded its dairy, soya, coal, and PLI-linked sectors (like electronics, pharma) from the deal.

Good step to protect farmers and local industries.

Sovereign Wealth Funds of EFTA will not be bound by some FDI rules. They’ll get easy entry.

4. 🧑‍💼 Services & Skilled Professionals

Indian professionals in IT, education, culture, sports can benefit.
Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) are planned in:
- Nursing
- Accountancy
- Architecture

MRA means their degree = our degree. So Indian nurses or accountants can easily work in EFTA countries.

5. ⚖️ Legal & Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

14 chapters included. One big clause:

If EFTA fails to invest as promised, India can take back some tariff concessions.
Generic medicine production protected — India can still make affordable medicines.
Also, it stops “evergreening of patents” – a trick pharma companies use to extend patents unfairly.

🌍 What is EFTA?

EFTA = European Free Trade Association.
4 Members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Not part of the European Union.
Set up in 1960 under the Stockholm Convention.
Aim: To promote free trade, mainly with other countries.

📦 India–EFTA Trade Relations

1. Partner Status:

India is EFTA’s 5th largest trading partner (after EU, US, UK, China).
Total two-way trade: $24.4 billion in 2024–25.

2. Big Trade Deficit:

India exported only $1.96 billion, but imported $22.45 billion.
Major reason: Gold imports from Switzerland (₹20.7 billion in 2021–22 alone).

3. Imports from EFTA:

Gold, silver, coal, medicines, dairy machinery, medical tools.

4. India’s exports to EFTA:

Chemicals, iron & steel, sports goods, yarn, glassware, drugs.

5. Investment Support:

India-EFTA Desk launched. It’s like a single-window system to attract investment and help EFTA companies set up in India.

⚠️ Key Challenges in India–EFTA Deal

1. 🌪️ Trade Deficit Problem:

Huge gap due to gold imports. India need to export more value-added goods to balance it out.

2. 💊 Data Exclusivity vs Public Health:

EFTA wants data exclusivity in pharma (means new drug test data can't be reused).
India disagrees — it can block generic drug production.
India wants to protect public health and affordable medicines.

3. 📜 IPR Provisions Risk:

TEPA’s IPR rules may affect:
- Pre-grant opposition
- Local production rules
May harm India’s generic medicine sector and access to cheap drugs.

🛤️ Way Forward

1. Reduce Trade Gap:

Export more tech-based & value-added goods (not just raw materials).
Reduce dependency on gold imports.

2. Focus on Green Skills:

Use EFTA’s skills in clean tech, sustainability, and innovation to boost our green economy and job market.

3. Balance IPR Rules:

Must protect innovation, but not at the cost of poor people’s access to medicines.

4. Build on India–EU FTA:

India is also negotiating FTA with European Union.
Use both deals to align regulations, fix non-tariff barriers (NTBs), and make India a strong part of global supply chains.

🧠 Quick Prelims Facts

📌 Topic	🔍 Details
TEPA Signed	10 March 2024
Comes into Force	1 October 2025
EFTA Countries	Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Investment Commitment	$100 Billion over 15 years
Gold Tariff	No effective change
India–EFTA Desk	Setup by Invest India for facilitation
TEPA Chapters	14 Chapters incl. IPR, customs, dispute resolution
Sensitive Sectors Excluded	Dairy, soya, coal, PLI-linked sectors

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5 August 2025 Daily Current Affairs | UPSC, SSC, State PCS, One-Liners, MCQs & Analysis in Hindi