Welcome, aspirants! If you are preparing for SSC, Railways, State PCS, or UPSC, you already know that Indian Polity is a high-scoring subject. Today, we will master a very important and often confusing topic: Special Provisions for Some States.
Students often confuse the various articles from 371 to 371J. In this guide, we will break down the topic in simple English, provide exam-oriented facts, share a mnemonic trick to remember the articles, and test your knowledge with MCQs.
1. Introduction: What are Special Provisions?
The Constitution of India is basically uniform for all states, but some states have unique geographical, cultural, and economic challenges. To protect the cultural identity of tribal people, deal with disturbed law and order, and protect local interests, the Constitution provides “Special Provisions” for certain states.
- Part of the Constitution: Part XXI (21)
- Title of Part XXI: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.
- Articles Covered: Article 371 to 371J.
- Total States Covered: Currently, 12 states have special provisions (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka).
(Note: Article 370 for Jammu & Kashmir was also in Part XXI, but its special status was revoked in 2019.)
2. Detailed Breakdown: Article 371 to 371J
Here is the exact list you need to memorize for direct matching questions in exams.
Article 371: Maharashtra and Gujarat
- Provision: The President can authorize the Governors of Maharashtra and Gujarat to create separate development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada (Maharashtra), and Saurashtra, Kutch (Gujarat).
- Goal: Ensure equal distribution of funds and technical education in these regions.
Article 371A: Nagaland
- Added by: 13th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962.
- Provision: Acts of Parliament related to Naga religion, social practices, and customary law will not apply to Nagaland unless the State Legislative Assembly passes a resolution for it.
Article 371B: Assam
- Added by: 22nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1969.
- Provision: The President can provide for the creation of a committee of the Assam Legislative Assembly consisting of members elected from the Tribal Areas of the state.
Article 371C: Manipur
- Added by: 27th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971.
- Provision: Creation of a committee in the State Assembly consisting of members from the Hill Areas of Manipur. The Governor has special responsibility for the administration of these Hill Areas.
Article 371D & 371E: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
- Added by: 32nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1973.
- Provision (371D): Equitable opportunities in public employment and education for people in different parts of the state.
- Provision (371E): Allows the Parliament to establish a Central University in Andhra Pradesh.
Article 371F: Sikkim
- Added by: 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975.
- Provision: Made Sikkim a full-fledged state of India and fixed the State Assembly strength at a minimum of 30 members.
Article 371G: Mizoram
- Added by: 53rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1986.
- Provision: Similar to Nagaland, Acts of Parliament regarding Mizo customary law, religion, and land ownership do not apply unless the State Assembly agrees.
Article 371H: Arunachal Pradesh
- Added by: 55th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1986.
- Provision: Gives special responsibility to the Governor regarding law and order in the state.
Article 371-I: Goa
- Added by: 56th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1987.
- Provision: Fixes the minimum strength of the Goa Legislative Assembly at 30 members.
Article 371J: Karnataka
- Added by: 98th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2012.
- Provision: Special provision for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region (now known as Kalyana-Karnataka) for a separate development board and reservation in jobs and education for local people.
3. Important Facts for Quick Revision
- Who has the main power? Most special provisions give special powers to the President or the Governor of that state.
- Latest Addition: Article 371J (Karnataka) is the most recently added article in this list (2012).
- No Special Provision: North Indian states like UP, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana do NOT fall under Part XXI special provisions.
4. Exam Traps & Confusing Points (Must Read!)
- Trap 1: Mixing up the States in Matching Questions. * Solution / Mnemonic Trick: “NAM AS MA, AP SI MI AR GO KA” * N (Nagaland – A), AS (Assam – B), MA (Manipur – C), AP (Andhra – D), SI (Sikkim – F), MI (Mizoram – G), AR (Arunachal – H), GO (Goa – I), KA (Karnataka – J).
- Trap 2: Article 371E. Students often think 371E is for a new state. No, it is strictly for the establishment of a Central University in Andhra Pradesh.
- Trap 3: Governor vs. President. Remember that for Maharashtra/Gujarat (371), the President directs the Governor. For Arunachal Pradesh (371H), the Governor has direct special responsibility for law and order.
5. Previous Year Exam Relevance
- UPSC Prelims: Frequently asks “Match the Following” (e.g., Article 371A with Nagaland).
- State PCS (UPPSC, BPSC, MPPSC): Direct questions on which Amendment added which Article (e.g., 98th Amendment relates to which state?).
- SSC CGL / Railway NTPC: “Article 371 belongs to which part of the constitution?” or “Which part deals with temporary and special provisions?”
6. Exam-Level MCQs (with Explanations)
Q1. Which Part of the Indian Constitution deals with ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’?
A) Part XIX
B) Part XX
C) Part XXI
D) Part XXII
Answer: C) Part XXI
Explanation: Part XXI covers Articles 369 to 392, which includes the special provisions for states under Articles 371 to 371J.
Q2. Article 371A of the Constitution makes special provisions for which state?
A) Assam
B) Manipur
C) Nagaland
D) Sikkim
Answer: C) Nagaland
Explanation: Added by the 13th Amendment in 1962, Article 371A protects the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
Q3. Which Constitutional Amendment added Article 371J for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region?
A) 97th Amendment
B) 98th Amendment
C) 99th Amendment
D) 100th Amendment
Answer: B) 98th Amendment
Explanation: The 98th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2012 provided special status to six backward districts of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
Q4. Match the following:
- Article 371B โ i) Manipur
- Article 371C โ ii) Assam
- Article 371F โ iii) Mizoram
- Article 371G โ iv) Sikkim
A) 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-iii
B) 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iii, 4-iv
C) 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iii, 4-iv
D) 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iv, 4-iii
Answer: A) 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-iii
Explanation: 371B is Assam, 371C is Manipur, 371F is Sikkim, and 371G is Mizoram.
Q5. Article 371E is related to the establishment of a Central University in which state?
A) Telangana
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Karnataka
D) Kerala
Answer: B) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Article 371E grants Parliament the power to establish a Central University in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
7. Short Revision Summary Table
| Article | State | Key Fact / Amendment |
| 371 | Maharashtra & Gujarat | Separate Development Boards |
| 371A | Nagaland | 13th Amendment (1962) |
| 371B | Assam | 22nd Amendment (1969) |
| 371C | Manipur | 27th Amendment (1971) |
| 371D & E | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | 32nd Amendment (1973) |
| 371F | Sikkim | 36th Amendment (1975) |
| 371G | Mizoram | 53rd Amendment (1986) |
| 371H | Arunachal Pradesh | 55th Amendment (1986) |
| 371-I | Goa | 56th Amendment (1987) |
| 371J | Karnataka | 98th Amendment (2012) |