Article 371 — Special Provisions for States in India

Article 371 (Maharashtra and Gujarat): • Gives the Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat special responsibility for: — Establishment of separate development boards for: Maharashtra: Vidarbha, Marathwada, and rest of Maharashtra Gujarat: Saurashtra, Kutch, and rest of Gujarat — Equitable allocation of funds for developmental expenditure — Equitable provision of education and government jobs for people from each region

Background: • When Maharashtra and Gujarat were formed in 1960 (bifurcation of Bombay State), there were concerns about regional development imbalances • Article 371 was included to ensure equitable development across regions

Article 371A — Nagaland (13th Amendment, 1962): • Parliament cannot override customary law and procedures of Nagas • Covers: religious/social practices, customary law, ownership/transfer of land • Any extension of law to Nagaland requires the approval of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly

Article 371B — Assam (22nd Amendment, 1969): • President can establish a committee of elected members from tribal areas in Assam Legislative Assembly

Article 371C — Manipur (27th Amendment, 1971): • Special committee of elected members from hill areas of Manipur • Governor has special responsibility for the hill areas

Article 371D and 371E — Andhra Pradesh/Telangana (32nd Amendment, 1973): • Equitable opportunities in public employment and education in different parts of the state • Established local cadres for employment • Article 371E: Parliament can establish a Central University in Andhra Pradesh

Article 371F — Sikkim (36th Amendment, 1975): • Protects existing laws and rights when Sikkim became the 22nd state of India in 1975 • Protects rights and privileges of Sikkim's subjects

Article 371G — Mizoram (53rd Amendment, 1986): • Parliament cannot override customary law of the Mizo people • Covers religious/social practices, customary law, land ownership • Similar to Article 371A for Nagaland

Article 371H — Arunachal Pradesh (55th Amendment, 1986): • Governor of Arunachal Pradesh has special responsibility for law and order • Governor's discretion in matters relating to law and order

Article 371I — Goa (56th Amendment, 1987): • Goa's Legislative Assembly shall not have less than 30 members • Protects the minimum size of Goa's legislature

Article 371J — Karnataka (98th Amendment, 2012): • Governor of Karnataka has special responsibility for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region (now called Kalyana-Karnataka) • Establishes a separate development board • Reservation in educational institutions and state government services for people of the region

Article 370 vs Article 371:

Article 370 (J&K — abrogated): • Gave Jammu & Kashmir a 'special status' — temporary provision • Limited Parliament's power to make laws for J&K • Required consent of J&K Constituent Assembly for many decisions • Abrogated on August 5, 2019 by Presidential Order; J&K reorganised into 2 UTs

Article 371 (various states — still in force): • Gives specific protective/empowerment provisions to 10 states • NOT temporary — these are permanent provisions • Protects unique cultural, social, religious practices of specific communities • Different purpose: equity, regional development, cultural protection

Key fact: Article 371J was added most recently (2012) for Karnataka, showing Article 371 framework is still expanding.

Why these provisions exist: • To address historical inequities and fears of domination when states were reorganised • To protect tribal customs and minority cultures from being overridden by parliamentary legislation • To ensure equitable regional development within large states