UPSC CSE Prelims
Formation of New States Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 3 (All the three)

All three pairs are correctly matched. The question combines facts related to the capitals, national parks, and constitutional history of northeastern states.

✅ Pair I is Correct: Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itanagar is named after the historic Ita Fort, and the state has two National Parks—Namdapha and Mouling.

✅ Pair II is Correct: Nagaland became a state on 1 December 1963 through the State of Nagaland Act, 1962, following constitutional provisions for its creation.

✅ Pair III is Correct: Tripura was a Part 'C' State, became a Union Territory in 1956, and attained full statehood on 21 January 1972.

Short Notes: North-Eastern States – Formation and Features

• Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state in 1987.

• Ita Fort is a historical fort from which Itanagar derives its name.

• Namdapha National Park is one of India's largest protected areas.

• Nagaland became the 16th state of India in 1963.

• Tripura was a princely state before merging with India in 1949.

• Tripura and Manipur became full-fledged states in 1972.

• The North-East is often called the "Seven Sisters" region.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.

This option captures the four essential elements of a state as recognized in political science: (1) Population (a community of persons), (2) Territory (definite geographical area), (3) Government (organized system of governance), and (4) Sovereignty (independence from external control). These are the classical elements that distinguish a state from other political entities.

Why other options are incorrect:
• Option 2 focuses on functions like maintaining law and order and protecting natural rights, which are purposes of the state but not part of its core definition.
• Option 3 emphasizes culture and tradition, which are not essential defining characteristics of a state in political theory.
• Option 4 mentions specific institutional features (executive responsible to central authority, independent judiciary) which are characteristics of particular types of governments, not universal elements of all states.

📝 Short Notes: Four Essential Elements of a State

• Internal Sovereignty: Supreme authority of the state over all individuals and associations within its territory
• External Sovereignty: Independence from control by other states in international relations
• These four elements were formalized in the Montevideo Convention (1933) on the Rights and Duties of States
• A state may have recognition from other states, but recognition is not an essential element of statehood