Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

Article 371 (Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat): Special, transitional, and regional development provisions under Part XXI.

In Simple Citizen Words

Article 371 ('Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat') is part of Part XXI (Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions). It encompasses regional safeguards under the Article 371 series (Maharashtra/Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka) as well as constitutional continuity of pre-1950 laws, courts, and institutions (Arts 372–392). Specifically: (2) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the President may by order made with respect to the State of Maharashtra or Gujarat], provide for any special responsibility of the Governor for — (a) the establishment of separate...

Key Constitutional Provisions

Constitutional Mandate (Art. 371): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat' under Part XXI

Structured across 1 clause(s) and 3 sub-clause(s) with clear procedural conditions

Exercises of constitutional office under this article must follow aid, advice, and established constitutional conventions

Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions

Under Article 372(1), all pre-Constitution laws continue in force only 'subject to the other provisions of this Constitution'—meaning any colonial-era law violating Fundamental Rights can be struck down under Article 13 (as in Navtej Singh Johar, 2018).

Why This Matters in Daily Life

Accommodates India's regional diversity and ensures seamless legal continuity from 1950 to the modern Republic.

Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates:

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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel & Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Architects of Asymmetric Federalism & Legal Transition • October 13–17, 1949 & Subsequent Amendments

🏛️ Constituent Assembly Debates (1946–1949)

Core Constitutional Debate & Dilemma

Framing context for Article 371: Ensuring smooth legal transition from pre-1950 laws and courts (Arts 372–378) while accommodating unique regional, cultural, and developmental needs of frontier and newly integrated States (Art 371 series).

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"Unity in India does not mean uniformity that erases local heritage; our Constitution provides transitional continuity and tailored regional safeguards within one indivisible Republic."

Assembly Resolution & Final Synthesis

Constitutional resolution in Article 371: Enacted Part XXI (Articles 369–392) governing transitional legal continuity (Art 372) and regional state safeguards across the Article 371–371J series.

🏛️ Constitutional Significance: During the Constituent Assembly deliberations, Article 371 was codified as an integral pillar of India's constitutional governance.

Official Constitutional Text (Gazette Bare Act)

Authoritative statutory text as enacted and amended by Parliament • Clause-by-Clause Statutory Breakdown

India Code • Govt. of India Archive

Clause (2)

Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the President may by order made with respect to the State of Maharashtra or Gujarat], provide for any special responsibility of the Governor for —

Sub-clause (a)

the establishment of separate development boards for Vidarbha, Marathwada, and the rest of Maharashtra or, as the case may be, Saurashtra, Kutch and the rest of Gujarat with the provision that a report on the working of each of these boards will be placed each year before the State Legislative Assembly;

Sub-clause (b)

the equitable allocation of funds for developmental expenditure over the said areas, subject to the requirements of the State as a whole; and

Sub-clause (c)

an equitable arrangement providing adequate facilities for technical education and vocational training, and adequate opportunities for employment in services under the control of the State Government, in respect of all the said areas, subject to the requirements of the State as a whole.

Public Domain & Statutory Authenticity Notice

Under Section 52(1)(q) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, the Constitution of India, Bare Acts of Parliament, Gazette Notifications, and Judicial Judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts are in the Public Domain. Text is reproduced from the official Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India (India Code) archives.

Then vs Now: Constitutional Evolution & Visual Diff

Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat

🟢 Original 1950 Text Intact (Zero Textual Repeal) Baseline: Jan 26, 1950 → Today

ORIGINAL BASELINE (1950)

Enacted on 26 January 1950 by the Constituent Assembly of India. The foundational constitutional text of Article 371 (Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat) has remained intact since Day 1 without parliamentary deletion or repeal.

CURRENT ENFORCEABLE STATUS (TODAY)

100% Original 1950 Text Enforceable Today: Article 371 (Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat): Special, transitional, and regional development provisions under Part XXI.

Key Amendment Milestones & Textual Modifications

Original Enactment by the Constituent Assembly

Year 1950

Why it happened: Crafted by the Founding Fathers & Mothers with enduring constitutional clarity; its core text has stood untouched for over 75 years.

                                    Status: 🟢 Unchanged Since 26 January 1950 — Original Constitutional Mandate Preserved Intact                                

Article 370 Ask Nyaya Saarthi AI About This Article Article 371A

Emergency Citizen Helplines

Special provision with respect to the States of Maharashtra and Gujarat

Official Constitutional Text (Gazette Bare Act)

Then vs Now: Constitutional Evolution & Visual Diff

Key Amendment Milestones & Textual Modifications