Which of the following has the power to alter the Name of a state in India?

The correct answer is Parliament of India.

Key Points

• Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of India has the authority to alter the name, boundaries, or territory of a state.
• The process starts with the introduction of a bill in Parliament by the central government, which requires a formal recommendation from the President of India.
• Before introducing the bill, the views of the concerned state legislature are sought; however, these views are not binding on Parliament.
• The final decision rests solely with Parliament, which has the legislative power to approve or reject the bill.
• This provision ensures the central government plays a key role in addressing administrative or regional concerns while maintaining national unity.

Additional Information

• Article 3 of the Constitution: Empowers Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, and rename states, ensuring administrative flexibility.
• Role of the President: The President's recommendation is mandatory for introducing bills related to state reorganization or renaming in Parliament.
• State Reorganization Act, 1956: A landmark legislation that reorganized Indian states primarily based on linguistic lines and remains a reference point for state boundary changes.
• Examples of State Renaming: Uttaranchal was renamed Uttarakhand in 2001, and West Bengal was renamed Paschim Banga in Bengali in 2011.
• Consultation with State Legislatures: While the views of the concerned state legislature are sought, they do not hold binding authority over the final decision made by Parliament.