⚡ Quick Summary
The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 took effect on November 1, 1956, so Sunday, November 1, 2026 is its 70th anniversary. The reorganisation created 14 states and 6 union territories. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh trace their present form to that date, and Haryana (1966) and Chhattisgarh (2000) chose the same day. Research cutoff: October 25, 2026.
On the first of November, several Indian states hold flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes and award functions. The reason is a single law. This explainer looks at what the States Reorganisation Act did, which states mark the day and why the date was reused later.
It is a background piece, written a week ahead. We found no government source describing a nationwide 70th anniversary programme, so we do not describe one.
What the States Reorganisation Act Did
The Act, numbered 37 of 1956, was enacted on August 31, 1956 and took effect on November 1, 1956, together with the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956. Wikipedia records that it set up 14 states and 6 union territories.
The Seventh Amendment also removed the earlier Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D categories. States became simply "states", and the other territories became union territories.
The commission behind it
The government appointed the States Reorganisation Commission in December 1953. Its members were Fazl Ali as chair, H. N. Kunzru and K. M. Panikkar. The commission submitted its report on September 30, 1955, proposing 16 states and three centrally administered areas. The final law ended with 14 states and 6 union territories, so Parliament did not adopt the report unchanged.
An earlier body, the Linguistic Provinces Commission set up in June 1948, had rejected language as a basis for dividing states. By the mid-1950s, demand for linguistic states had grown strong, and Andhra State had already been created in 1953 from Telugu-speaking districts of Madras State.
Which States Mark November 1
Wikipedia's list of Indian state days gives the following for November 1.
| State or territory | Name of the day | What it marks |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Andhra Pradesh Day | 1956 merger of Andhra State with Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State |
| Karnataka | Karnataka Rajyotsava | 1956 enlargement of Mysore State |
| Kerala | Kerala Day (Kerala Piravi) | 1956 merger of Travancore-Cochin with parts of Madras State |
| Madhya Pradesh | Madhya Pradesh Day | 1956 creation by merging several territories |
| Haryana | Haryana Day | 1966, carved out of Punjab |
| Punjab | Punjab Day | 1966 reorganisation |
| Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava | 2000, separated from Madhya Pradesh |
Several union territories also have a day on November 1, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Puducherry marks its own Liberation Day on this date, which commemorates the de facto transfer of the former French establishments in 1954. Uttar Pradesh Day is also listed on this date by Wikipedia, tied to the 1950 renaming of the United Provinces.
Anniversaries in 2026
Using the years above, 2026 marks the 70th anniversary for the 1956 states, the 60th anniversary for Haryana and Chandigarh (1966) and the 26th for Chhattisgarh (2000). Karnataka's renaming from Mysore took place on November 1, 1973, which makes 2026 the 53rd anniversary of that change.
How the 1956 Map Changed Particular States
Kerala
Kerala was formed by merging Travancore-Cochin with the Malabar district and the Kasaragod taluk of South Canara. Kanyakumari district and Sengottai taluk went to Madras State. The Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands became a union territory, now known as Lakshadweep.
Karnataka
The state then called Mysore was enlarged by adding Coorg and Kannada-speaking districts from Madras, Bombay and Hyderabad. The Karnataka Ekikarana movement, associated with Aluru Venkata Rao from 1905, had pushed for the unification of Kannada-speaking regions. The state took the name Karnataka on November 1, 1973, a decision associated with Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs.
Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh was formed by merging Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State. Madhya Pradesh absorbed Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh and Bhopal State, while some Marathi-speaking districts of the Nagpur Division went to Bombay State.
How Karnataka Rajyotsava Is Celebrated
Karnataka Rajyotsava is the best-known of these days. Wikipedia describes red and yellow Kannada flags being hoisted at government sites and in neighbourhoods, the state anthem being sung and processions with tableaux that include an image of the goddess Bhuvaneshwari. Folk performances such as Dollu Kunitha and Veeragase are common, and the state government announces and presents the Rajyotsava Awards on the day. Wikipedia also describes it as a public holiday in Karnataka.
Because November 1, 2026 is a Sunday, we do not know whether the state will announce any compensatory leave. Check the state government's holiday notification.
Why This Still Matters
The 1956 reorganisation settled one question, that language is a legitimate basis for state boundaries, and left others open. Later laws created more states and union territories. Wikipedia lists the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971, the 2000 reorganisation of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The administrative map is therefore still evolving. The anniversary is a good moment to look at how the present divisions came about, whatever one's view on any particular demand.
Practical Details to Check
- Holidays: a state day is not automatically a public holiday. Check your state's notified holidays.
- Programmes: we found no official 2026 programme for the 70th anniversary. Wait for notices from state governments.
- Sources: the facts here come from Wikipedia and have not been checked against the text of the Act. Where precision matters, consult the Act itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the States Reorganisation Act come into force?
On November 1, 1956. It was enacted on August 31, 1956.
How many states were created in 1956?
Wikipedia records 14 states and 6 union territories.
Why do Haryana and Chhattisgarh also celebrate on November 1?
Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966 and Chhattisgarh out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000, and both took November 1 as their formation date.
Is November 1, 2026 a public holiday?
It is not a national holiday. Karnataka treats Rajyotsava as a government holiday, but check state notices.
Conclusion
Seventy years after the States Reorganisation Act took effect, November 1 remains a date on which many Indians celebrate their state's identity. For the other events on the same day, read our November 1, 2026 overview.
