Consider the following statements with regard to the formation of new States and alteration of boundaries of existing' States : 1. Parliament may increase the area of any State. 2. Parliament may diminish the area of any State. 3. Parliament cannot alter the boundary of any State. 4. Parliament cannot alter the name of any State. Which of the statements given above is are not correct ?

Option 3 : 3 and 4

The correct answer is 3 and 4.

Article 3 of the Indian Constitution has authorized the Parliament to:

• Form new state by separation of a part from any state, or by uniting two or more states/parts of the states, or by uniting a previous territory to a part of any state.
• Further, it also authorizes the Parliament to increase or diminish the area of a state
• To alter the boundary of any state
• To alter the name of any state. Thus, 3 and 4 are incorrect and hence option 3 is the correct option.
• Also, Article 3 lays down two conditions with regards to the provisions under it, that is -
  • A bill contemplating changes mentioned above can only be with the prior recommendation of the President.
  • Before recommending the bill, the President has to refer the same to the State Legislature which has to respond to express its views in a specific period of time.