Part I of the Indian Constitution deals with the Union and its territory. It consists of Articles 1 to 4, which establish the structure of the Indian Union, define its territory, and provide for the admission or establishment of new states within the country. Here's a breakdown of the articles and their descriptions:
Article 1: Name and territory of the Union
This article declares that India shall be a Union of States, and the official name of the country is the "Union of India." It also specifies that the territory of India shall consist of the territories of the states, union territories, and any other territories that may be acquired.
Article 2: Admission or establishment of new states
Article 2 grants the President of India the power to admit new states into the Union or establish new states by reconstituting existing states. This can be done through the Parliament's approval, following the recommendation of the President.
Article 3: Formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing states
Article 3 outlines the procedure for changing the boundaries, names, or areas of existing states or forming new states within the Union. The President, upon receiving a bill from the Parliament, may either approve or withhold his consent to such changes. This article emphasizes the importance of consulting the concerned states before making any such changes.
Article 4: Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 to provide for the amendment of the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule
Article 4 provides that laws passed by the Parliament under Articles 2 and 3 (dealing with the admission or establishment of new states and the alteration of existing states) may also include provisions for amending the First Schedule (which lists the names of states and territories) and the Fourth Schedule (which lists the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament).
In essence, Part I of the Indian Constitution establishes the territorial integrity of the country and provides a framework for the admission or establishment of new states and the alteration of existing ones. It is a crucial part of the Constitution that ensures the administrative and political cohesion of India as a federal and democratic nation.