The authority to alter the boundaries of states in India rests with

The correct answer is The Parliament.

Key Points

• The Parliament:
  • ​ Article 3 of the Constitution of India explicitly grants the power to form new states and alter the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states to the Parliament. This power is a crucial aspect of the federal structure of India, allowing the Union government, through the Parliament, to reorganize the constituent units of the country. The process typically involves the introduction of a bill in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). Before the bill is introduced, the President usually refers it to the concerned State Legislature for its views. However, the Parliament is not bound by these views. Once passed by both houses of Parliament with a simple majority, the bill becomes an Act, and the alteration of state boundaries is effected. This ensures that the reorganization of states is a matter of national policy decided by the central legislature.

Additional Information

• The Prime Minister:
  • The Prime Minister is the head of government and the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha (House of the People). While the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers play a significant role in formulating and introducing legislation, including those related to state reorganization, the ultimate authority to alter state boundaries rests with the Parliament. The Prime Minister's office can propose such changes, and the government can introduce bills in Parliament, but these bills must be debated and passed by both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) before becoming law. The Prime Minister does not possess the independent authority to alter state boundaries.
• The State Government:
  • The State Governments in India have legislative and executive powers within their respective territorial jurisdictions as defined by the Constitution. However, the power to alter the boundaries of a state does not lie with the State Government itself. Article 3 of the Constitution of India clearly vests this power in the Parliament. While the Parliament, before introducing a bill affecting the area, boundaries, or name of any state, is required to refer the bill to the legislature of that state for expressing its views, this consultation is not binding on the Parliament. The final decision-making authority remains with the Union Parliament. State governments can pass resolutions or make recommendations regarding boundary changes, but they cannot unilaterally alter their own borders.
• The President:
  • The President of India is the head of state and exercises nominal executive powers. While the President plays a crucial role in assenting to laws passed by the Parliament, including those related to the alteration of state boundaries, the power to initiate and enact such changes lies with the legislature. The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Article 3 of the Constitution of India explicitly grants the power to form new states and alter the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states to the Parliament, not the President acting independently. The President's role is primarily that of a constitutional signatory after the Parliament has passed the necessary legislation.