Legal Recognition of Amaravati
- The government has officially declared Amaravati as the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. The status will start to operate on June 2, 2024.
- The Parliament approved an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The two legislative chambers approved the bill through voice voting on February 1 and February 2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs presented the bill.
- President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on Monday. The law has become active under the name Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Act 2026 which is designated as Act No 7 of 2026.
- The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution which led to this change. The Assembly passed and sent the resolution on March 28, requesting Amaravati as the state capital.
Amendment Details and Legal Process
The amendment modifies Section 5(2) of the original Act. The amendment establishes Amaravati as the capital through its specific declaration.
The process followed these steps:
- The Central Government created the amendment bill
- Parliament reviewed and adopted the bill
- The Ministry of Law forwarded the approved bill to the President
- The President approved the bill according to Article 111 of the Constitution
- A Gazette notification confirmed the law
The notification gives full legal force to the decision.
Definition of Amaravati Region
The law defines the full scope of Amaravati. The city extends to all territories which the CRDA Act 2014 designates as its jurisdiction.
Key points include:
- All notified capital region areas fall under Amaravati
- The definition aims to prevent future disputes
- Only Parliament can make changes to this framework
- Changes by the State Assembly will not have legal validity
Response from Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
- Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the decision. He expressed satisfaction after the Gazette notification.
- He thanked President Droupadi Murmu on behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh. He said the law fulfills the long-standing goal of establishing Amaravati as the state capital.
