● Names: Establishes India's official names: "India" (its English name) and "Bharat" (its Hindi name). Both are equally official.
● Structure: Declares India as a "Union of States" giving importance to States.
► Clause 2:
● Components: Specifies that India consists of the states and territories listed in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
► Clause 3:
● Territorial Scope:Defines India's territory as:
a) Territories of the existing states
b) Union Territories listed in the First Schedule
c) Any future territories that India might acquire
► Key Takeaways
● India's Identity: Article 1 establishes India's name, emphasizing its dual identity with both English and Hindi names.
● Territorial Flexibility: It allows for the future acquisition of territories, acknowledging the potential for change in India's geographical boundaries.
► Important Points:
India:A Union of States
● India is comprised of 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
● The term "Union of States" doesn't imply a unitary structure. India has a strong federal character.
● Reasons for using "Union of States" wording include:
○ India was already a union when the Constitution was drafted.
○ The desire to emphasize India's unity and indivisibility.
○ States do not have the right to secede, unlike classic federations.
► Key Terms
● Union of India: Refers specifically to the states, highlighting their federal relationship with the central government.
● Territory of India: A broader geographical term encompassing states, Union Territories, and any potentially acquired territories.
● Republic of India: India's official name in the international context.
● Union of India (legal): The central government's legal name (e.g., used in lawsuits).
► Acquiring and Ceding Territory
● The government can acquire territory (Article 1(3)(c)), but there is no constitutional provision for ceding territory.
● The Supreme Court has ruled that a constitutional amendment is required to cede any Indian territory.
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