Topper’s Copy

GS2

Indian Polity

10 marks

Discuss the need for a permanent and objective framework for state reorganisation in India. How have the criteria for state formation evolved from linguistic considerations to developmental and administrative concerns?

Student’s Answer

Evaluation by SuperKalam

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Score:

6/10

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3
6
10

Demand of the Question

  • Discuss the need for a permanent and objective framework for state reorganisation in India.
  • How have the criteria for state formation evolved from linguistic considerations to developmental and administrative concerns?

What you wrote:

India's federal structure has been shaped by continuous demands for new states which reflecting its diversity and regional aspirations.

India's federal structure has been shaped by continuous demands for new states which reflecting its diversity and regional aspirations.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can start by briefly defining what "state reorganisation" entails in the Indian context and why it's a recurring feature, perhaps referencing the historical context of post-independence India's integration.
  • Could also briefly touch upon the tension between national unity and regional aspirations that necessitates such a framework.

What you wrote:

Need for a permanent and objective framework
* Prevents ad hoc and politically motivated decisions.
* Ensures equity and consistency in evaluating demands.
* Protects national integrity while accommodating diversity.
* Provide clean criteria - linguistic, cultural, administrative and developmental - by institutionalizing the process.
* Reduces conflict and uncertainty by institutionalizing the process.

Need for a permanent and objective framework
* Prevents ad hoc and politically motivated decisions.
* Ensures equity and consistency in evaluating demands.
* Protects national integrity while accommodating diversity.
* Provide clean criteria - linguistic, cultural, administrative and developmental - by institutionalizing the process.
* Reduces conflict and uncertainty by institutionalizing the process.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could elaborate on what constitutes a "permanent and objective framework." For instance, suggest the establishment of a specific constitutional body (like a Boundary Commission or a dedicated Reorganisation Commission) with clear terms of reference and powers, similar to the Election Commission or Finance Commission.
  • Can explain how this framework would ensure objectivity, perhaps by outlining a multi-stage process involving demographic, economic, administrative, and socio-cultural assessments, with clear thresholds for consideration.
  • Could discuss the potential composition of such a body (e.g., retired judges, domain experts, former administrators) to ensure impartiality.

What you wrote:

Evolution of Criteria for state formation
* Linguistic Basis: Andhra Pradesh created. State Reorganisation act 1956 recognised states largely on linguistic identity.
* Cultural and Ethnic identity: Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram formed to recognize tribal cultures.
* Administrative Efficiency: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh created for better governance and administrative convenience.
* Developmental concerns: Telangana formed due to perceived neglect and uneven development.

Evolution of Criteria for state formation
* Linguistic Basis: Andhra Pradesh created. State Reorganisation act 1956 recognised states largely on linguistic identity.
* Cultural and Ethnic identity: Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram formed to recognize tribal cultures.
* Administrative Efficiency: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh created for better governance and administrative convenience.
* Developmental concerns: Telangana formed due to perceived neglect and uneven development.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could structure this section chronologically, starting with the post-independence push for linguistic states, then discussing the challenges that arose (e.g., inter-state disputes, administrative complexities), leading to the consideration of other factors.
  • Can explain the rationale behind the shift. For instance, after the initial linguistic reorganisation, the limitations became apparent, necessitating a focus on administrative viability and the need to address regional economic disparities, which then led to demands based on developmental neglect.
  • Could mention the role of specific commissions or committees (beyond the States Reorganisation Commission of 1956) that might have influenced these criteria, or significant political events that highlighted the need for change. For example, the demand for Jharkhand or Chhattisgarh was also linked to tribal identity and economic exploitation.

What you wrote:

A permanent standing commission could depoliticize the process while ensuring the demands are assessed on objective ground. This would strengthen India's quasi-federal system by balancing regional aspirations with larger national interest.

A permanent standing commission could depoliticize the process while ensuring the demands are assessed on objective ground. This would strengthen India's quasi-federal system by balancing regional aspirations with larger national interest.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could briefly reiterate the two main parts of the question: the necessity of an objective framework and the evolution of criteria, to provide a more complete summary.
  • Can offer a forward-looking statement about how a well-designed framework can contribute to both national cohesion and equitable regional development.

Demand of the Question

  • Discuss the need for a permanent and objective framework for state reorganisation in India.
  • How have the criteria for state formation evolved from linguistic considerations to developmental and administrative concerns?

What you wrote:

India's federal structure has been shaped by continuous demands for new states which reflecting its diversity and regional aspirations.

India's federal structure has been shaped by continuous demands for new states which reflecting its diversity and regional aspirations.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can start by briefly defining what "state reorganisation" entails in the Indian context and why it's a recurring feature, perhaps referencing the historical context of post-independence India's integration.
  • Could also briefly touch upon the tension between national unity and regional aspirations that necessitates such a framework.

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