How Did the ‘Amaravati Bill’ Come Into Place?
Context:
On April 2, 2026, Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
This landmark legislation officially recognises Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, seeking to conclusively end years of political volatility regarding the state's seat of government.
Historical Background:
The undivided state was bifurcated through the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, resulting in the creation of Telangana and the residual state of Andhra Pradesh.
The original 2014 Act stipulated that Hyderabad would serve as the joint capital for both states for a period not exceeding 10 years, after which Andhra Pradesh had to establish its own capital.
Following the bifurcation, the state government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared Amaravati as the new capital and moved the state administration out of Hyderabad.
Key Provisions of the 2026 Amendment:
The State government argued that because the capital's genesis lay in Central legislation, explicit statutory backing was required to prevent any future state administration from shifting or splitting the capital.
The Bill officially declares Amaravati the sole capital effective from June 2, 2024.
It does so by inserting the words "at Amaravati" into Section 5(2) of the 2014 Act.
It further clarifies the boundaries by adding that Amaravati includes the areas notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014.