Question

The boundaries of States can be altered by _______________.
A. The Supreme Court of India
B. The President of India
C. The State Governments
D. The Indian Parliament

Answer 1

Hint: The Constitution deals with the Union and its territory from Article 1 to 4 under Part I. India, that is, Bharat is described as a ‘Union of States’ rather than a ‘Federation of States’. This provision deals with two things: one, the type of polity, and two, the name of the country.

Complete answer:
Under Article 3, the Parliament is authorized to (a) form a new state by uniting any territory to a part of any state or by separation of territory from any state, (b) increase the area of any state, (c) diminish the area of any state, (d) alter the boundaries of any state, and (e) alter the name of any state. In this regard, it also lays down two conditions. One, such a bill making the above changes can be introduced only in the Parliament with the prior recommendation of the President. Two, the President has to refer the same to a state legislature concerned before recommending the bill for expressing its views within a specified period. In the case of a union territory, the Parliament can itself take any action as it deems necessary and no reference needs to be made to the concerned legislature to ascertain its views.
It is thus clear that the Parliament has the authority, which it derives from the Constitution, to form new states or alter the boundaries, areas, or names of the existing states without their consent. In other words, according to its will, the Parliament can redraw the political map of India.

Thus, option (D) is correct.

Note: Thus, the Constitution does not guarantee the territorial integrity or continued existence of any state. Therefore, India is rightly described as ‘an indestructible union of states’.