Previous Year Question
Identify the correct chronological order in which the following States were created in India from the codes given below:
Andhra Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Haryana
Sikkim
Codes:
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 3, 2, 4
4, 3, 1, 2
3, 4, 1, 2
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
First comes Andhra Pradesh. In the historical formation relevant to the present State, Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956 during the linguistic reorganisation of States. It is therefore the earliest among the four States given.
Next comes Haryana. Following the reorganisation of Punjab, Haryana emerged as a separate State on 1 November 1966. Hence, it comes after Andhra Pradesh in the sequence.
Himachal Pradesh evolved through several stages. It was formed as an administrative unit in 1948, became a Union Territory in 1956 and finally acquired full Statehood on 25 January 1971. For the chronological order of Statehood intended in this question, 1971 is the relevant year.
Sikkim became a full State of India later than the other three. On 16 May 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian Union.
Thus, the correct chronological order is—
Andhra Pradesh (1956) → Haryana (1966) → Himachal Pradesh (1971) → Sikkim (1975)
A useful fact is that Himachal Pradesh existed from 1948, but full Statehood was granted only in 1971. This distinction is the main source of confusion in this question.