On 1st November, eight Indian states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu—along with five Union Territories—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry—celebrate their Formation Day. This date marks an important milestone in India’s administrative evolution, shaped primarily by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 and subsequent state bifurcations.

States Celebrating Formation Day on 1st November

Andhra Pradesh

• Formation Date: 1 November 1953 (Andhra State); 1956 (Andhra Pradesh)

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Part of Andhra State and Hyderabad State

Karnataka

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956 (as Mysore State)

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Parts of Bombay State, Coorg State, Hyderabad State, and Mysore State

Kerala

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Parts of Madras State and Travancore–Cochin

Madhya Pradesh

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956 (reorganisation)

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Central Provinces and Berar, and princely states of the Eastern States Agency

Tamil Nadu

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956 (as Madras State); renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Part of Madras State and Travancore–Cochin

Haryana

• Formation Date: 1 November 1966

• Formed By: Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

• Earlier Status: Part of East Punjab

Punjab

• Formation Date: 1 November 1966 (current form)

• Formed By: Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

• Earlier Status: Part of East Punjab

Chhattisgarh

• Formation Date: 1 November 2000

• Formed By: Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000

• Earlier Status: Part of Madhya Pradesh

Union Territories Celebrating Formation Day on 1st November

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Part D State

Delhi

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Part C State

Lakshadweep

• Formation Date: 1 November 1956

• Formed By: States Reorganisation Act, 1956

• Earlier Status: Part of Madras State

Puducherry

• Formation Date: 1 November 1954 (de facto transfer); UT status in 1963

• Formed By: Treaty of Cession with France; Government of Union Territories Act, 1963

• Earlier Status: French India territories

Chandigarh

• Formation Date: 1 November 1966

• Formed By: Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

• Earlier Status: Part of East Punjab

Constitutional Provisions for Formation of States and UTs

Part I of the Constitution

Part I (Articles 1 to 4) deals with “The Union and Its Territory”. It defines India as a “Union of States,” lists the territories of States and Union Territories, and empowers Parliament to alter state boundaries or create new states.

Article 1

Article 1 declares India as a Union of States, which includes States, Union Territories, and any future acquired territories. This reflects a strong Union with flexible federal units.

Article 2

Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit new States into the Union or establish new States, subject to terms and conditions it deems appropriate.

Article 3

Article 3 authorises Parliament to:

• Form a new State by separation or merger

• Alter the area, boundaries, or name of any State

A Bill under Article 3 requires:

• Prior recommendation of the President

• Referral to the concerned State Legislature for its views (not binding on Parliament)

No such reference is required when altering Union Territories.
This provision has enabled major reorganisations such as the creation of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand (2000) and Telangana (2014).

Article 4

Any law enacted under Articles 2 or 3 is deemed not to be a constitutional amendment, even if it changes the First Schedule (names and boundaries of states) or the Fourth Schedule (Rajya Sabha seats).

Commissions Related to State Reorganisation

1. Linguistic Provinces Commission (Dhar Commission), 1948

The Commission rejected language as a criterion for reorganisation and advised against creating states on linguistic lines.

2. JVP Committee, 1949

Formed by Nehru, Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya, it opposed linguistic reorganisation, citing risks of disintegration and prioritising national unity and security.

3. States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), 1953

Headed by Justice Fazl Ali, with members H.N. Kunzru and K.M. Panikkar, the SRC acknowledged language as an important factor but rejected the idea of “one language, one state.”
It emphasized administrative efficiency, unity, and economic considerations.
Its recommendations led to the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, which reorganised India into 14 States and 6 Union Territories, abolishing the earlier Part A, B, C, and D classifications.

Later reorganisations occurred due to demands for regional identity, administrative efficiency, economic development, and better resource management.

India’s honey sector is undergoing a major transformation through the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), which aims to expand scientific beekeeping across the country while strengthening its role in enhancing rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.

What is the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission?

About the Scheme

The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to promote the overall development of scientific beekeeping and to improve the production of quality honey and other beehive products.

Sub-Schemes (Mini Missions)

NBHM is implemented through three Mini Missions (MMs):

• MM–I: Focuses on increasing honey production and scientific beekeeping practices.

• MM–II: Concentrates on post-harvest management, including processing, storage, and value addition.

• MM–III: Supports research, technology development, and innovation in beekeeping.

Implementing Agency

The Mission is implemented by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative. It was initially allotted ₹500 crore for 2020–23 and has since been extended to 2025–26.

Objectives

The key objectives of NBHM are to:

• Promote the holistic development of India’s beekeeping industry, enhancing rural incomes and employment.

• Improve crop productivity through pollination services and increase sustainable honey production.

• Strengthen infrastructure, quality control, and traceability systems.

• Support agri-entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and cooperative development.

• Enhance technology adoption, marketing efficiency, and export competitiveness.

India’s Position in the Global Honey Sector

Ranking

As of 2024, India is the second-largest exporter of honey in the world, after China.

Major Honey-Producing States

The leading Indian states contributing to honey production include:

• Uttar Pradesh – 17%

• West Bengal – 16%

• Punjab – 14%

• Bihar – 12%

• Rajasthan – 9%

Major Export Markets

India exports honey primarily to the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Libya.

National Bee Board (NBB)

Establishment

The National Bee Board was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, on 19 July 2000. It was reconstituted in June 2006 under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Agriculture & Cooperation.

Role and Functions

The primary purpose of NBB is to:

• Promote scientific beekeeping across India.

• Enhance crop productivity through organized pollination.

• Increase honey production to raise the income of farmers and beekeepers.

NBB acts as the Nodal Agency for the overall development and promotion of scientific beekeeping in the country.

Gogabeel Lake in the Katihar district of Bihar has recently been designated as a Ramsar Site, giving it the status of a wetland of international importance. This recognition further strengthens India’s global wetland conservation efforts.

About Gogabeel Lake

Location

Gogabeel Lake is situated in the trans-Gangetic plains of Bihar. It is located in the Katihar district and forms part of an ox-bow shaped wetland system.

Type of Wetland

The lake is an ox-bow lake, formed due to the meandering and shifting of river courses over time.

Surrounding Rivers

It is flanked by:

• River Mahananda to the northeast

• River Ganga to the south

Conservation Status

Gogabeel Lake has been declared Bihar’s first Community Reserve, highlighting community participation in biodiversity protection.

Cultural Importance

Local communities celebrate traditional festivals such as Sirva, Adra, and Chhath within the wetland area, reflecting its cultural and social relevance.

Flora and Fauna of Gogabeel Lake

Flora

The wetland area is surrounded by tropical dry deciduous forests, contributing to the region’s ecological richness.

Fauna

Gogabeel Lake provides a crucial wintering habitat for several migratory bird species as well as species of global conservation significance.

Key species found include:

• Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) – a species of conservation importance

• Helicopter Catfish (Wallago attu) – a Vulnerable species for which the lake serves as a breeding ground

What is the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, is an international treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Its main objective is to promote the wise use of wetlands through cooperation at the local, national, and international levels.
The convention plays a vital role in protecting wetland ecosystems that support biodiversity, water security, and sustainable development.

A Mughal miniature painting titled “A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape”, attributed to the celebrated Mughal painter Basawan (c. 1575–80), has set a new world record at Christie’s auction in London, selling for £10.2 million (~$13.6 million).
Created during the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605), the artwork is executed in opaque pigments with gold highlights and is admired for its remarkable realism, minute detailing, and naturalistic depiction of landscape and animal life.

Key Facts About Mughal Paintings

Origin

The Mughal School of Painting emerged in the 16th century as a distinctive miniature art form combining Persian artistic styles with Indian elements.
Initially used for manuscript illustration and album art, Mughal painting soon became an important expression of imperial culture and sophistication.

Evolution of Mughal Painting Across Different Reigns

1. Babur (1526–1530)

Babur’s short and militarily focused reign did not contribute significantly to the development of Mughal painting.
However, his memoir Baburnama later inspired illustrated manuscripts under his successors.

2. Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1556)

Humayun, during his exile at the Persian court of Shah Tahmasp, was exposed to the refined Safavid painting tradition.
He brought two eminent Persian painters, Mir Syed Ali and Khwaja Abdus Samad, to India, laying the foundation for Mughal painting.
A notable work from this era is “Princes of the House of Timur” (c. 1550).

3. Akbar (1556–1605) – Founder of Mughal Painting

Akbar established the first formal Imperial Painting Atelier (Tasvir Khana) and created a dynamic fusion of Persian, Indian, and later European artistic influences.
His period saw the introduction of an Indian colour palette, realistic human expressions, and large-scale illustrated manuscripts such as the Akbarnama and Hamzanama.

Prominent Artists

• Basawan

• Daswanth

• Lal

• Miskin

• Kesu Das

Akbar also encouraged techniques such as shading and perspective, inspired by paintings brought by Jesuit missionaries.

4. Jahangir (1605–1627) – Golden Age of Naturalism

Jahangir, an accomplished connoisseur of art, elevated Mughal painting to its pinnacle.
The style shifted towards portraits, nature studies, and finely detailed representations of birds, flowers, and animals.

Prominent Artists

• Ustad Mansur

• Abu’l Hasan

• Bichitr

Jahangir’s emphasis on scientific naturalism and precise observation made this period the most refined phase of Mughal art.

5. Shah Jahan (1628–1658)

Under Shah Jahan, the imperial atelier continued to flourish but with less innovation.
The paintings became more ornamental, featuring increased use of gold, decorated borders, and themes related to court life, music, romance, and architecture.

6. Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

Aurangzeb showed minimal interest in painting, viewing it as un-Islamic.
As a result, imperial patronage declined, leading many court painters to migrate to Rajput and Deccan courts, where their techniques significantly influenced local art traditions.

7. Later Mughals (18th Century)

There was a brief revival under Muhammad Shah Rangeela (1719–1748), with artists depicting themes of leisure, romance, and music.
However, by the time of Shah Alam II, Mughal painting had deteriorated, giving way to Rajput, Pahari, and Company School styles.

Legacy and Impact of Mughal Painting

Mughal painting evolved into a distinctive classical Indian art tradition, influencing regional schools such as Bikaner, Bundi, Kishangarh, and various Deccan ateliers.
It also laid the groundwork for scientific naturalism in Indian art, especially through Jahangir’s detailed botanical and zoological studies.
The Mughal artistic legacy persisted long after the decline of the empire and played a key role in shaping later artistic movements, including the Company School in the 18th and 19th centuries.