Article 4 of Indian Constitution, Interpretation, Significance

Article 4 of the Constitution of India empowers Parliament to enact laws for the formation of new states or alteration of existing ones. Historic developments like the linguistic reorganization of states in the 1950s or the creation of Telangana in 2014 were carried out using the framework laid down under Article 4. It ensures that such changes are not only legally valid but also uphold democratic processes, thereby reinforcing India’s flexible yet stable federal structure. In this article, we are going to cover Article 4 of the Constitution of India, its interpretation and its significance. 

Article 4 of Indian Constitution History

On November 18, 1948, Article 4 was discussed for the first time in the Assembly. The article states that the laws passed by the Parliament under Article 2 and Article 3 will not be counted as constitutional amendments. These two articles can be implemented by just a majority vote instead of opting for a special procedure. Shibban Lal Saksena, a member of the Indian National Congress from the United Provinces, voiced serious concerns during the Constituent Assembly debates about the implications of altering state boundaries. He emphasized that such decisions carried substantial national importance and should not be left to the discretion of a simple majority in Parliament. Saksena cautioned against the instability that could arise if successive governments frequently altered state boundaries. While other members, including Pattabhi Sitaramayya from Madras, shared similar reservations, no formal amendments were introduced. As a result, Article 4 was adopted into the Constitution in its original form, without any changes.

Article 4 of Indian Constitution Interpretation

The constitution of India states the following about Article 4: 

• “Any law referred to in article 2 or article 3 shall contain such provisions for the amendment of the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of the law and may also contain such supplemental, incidental and consequential provisions (including provisions as to representation in Parliament and in the Legislature or Legislatures of the State or States affected by such law) as Parliament may deem necessary.”
• No such law as aforesaid shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368. 

Article 4 of the Indian Constitution can be interpreted in the following manner: 

The phrase “Any law referred to in Article 2 or Article 3” signifies that Article 4 of the Indian Constitution governs laws related to the admission of new states (Article 2) and the creation or alteration of states (Article 3).

• The clause “shall contain such provisions for the amendment of the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule” makes it mandatory for such laws to appropriately update the First Schedule (which lists states and union territories) and the Fourth Schedule (which details Rajya Sabha seat allocation), ensuring constitutional alignment with the territorial changes.
• The expression “as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of the law” underlines the need for all essential amendments that make the proposed changes legally and functionally effective.
• The provision that the law “may also contain such supplemental, incidental and consequential provisions” grants the authority to include additional provisions required for implementation such as adjustments in legislative representation, administrative arrangements, or jurisdictional boundaries—thus enabling smooth execution of the reorganisation.

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Article 4 of Indian Constitution Significance 

Article 4 of the Indian Constitution reflects the dynamic and adaptable nature of the Constitution by empowering Parliament to create new states or alter the boundaries of existing ones through a simple majority and ordinary legislative procedure, rather than a constitutional amendment.

• Parliament’s Legislative Competence: It grants Parliament the exclusive authority to reorganize states like changing their names, boundaries, or status and ensuring administrative efficiency and responsiveness to evolving regional demands.
• Not a Constitutional Amendment: Laws enacted under Article 4 are not treated as constitutional amendments under Article 368, which simplifies the process and avoids procedural rigidity in matters of state reorganization.
• Uphold Legal and Constitutional Coherence: Article 4 ensures that necessary adjustments such as to the First and Fourth Schedules are made seamlessly to maintain constitutional consistency, enabling smooth and effective implementation of reorganization laws.

Article 4 of Indian Constitution Impact

Article 4 of the Constitution of India has been used by the Parliament to enact important acts. In this table below, we show the states that are involved in the corresponding legislative acts: