Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India - The Constitution of India 2024 (English Version)↗
Primary official reference for article number, heading, part placement, and current constitutional structure.
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Article 1: Name and territory of the Union
Identifies India as a Union of States and connects the territory of India with States, Union territories, and other acquired territories.
Part Iactive
In this article
What it means
Plain-language explanation
Where you notice it
Daily civic life
How it protects you
Citizen protection
What to remember
Exam and recall pointers
What it means
Simple explanation
Article 1 gives India its constitutional identity and explains the broad territorial structure of the country.
Practical daily-life use
Where citizens notice it
- Helps understand why India is constitutionally described as a Union.
- Gives context for States and Union territories shown in official maps and civic records.
How it protects you
Citizen protection context
- Creates a stable constitutional identity for citizenship, governance, and territorial administration.
- Supports continuity when boundaries or administrative units change through law.
Example situations
General civic examples
- Learning why Delhi, Puducherry, and Chandigarh are Union territories while Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are States.
- Understanding map changes after Parliament reorganises a State or Union territory.
Citizen note
Learning note
Article 1 is foundational; it should be read with Articles 2 to 4 for changes in territory and State boundaries.
Exam pointers
What to remember
- India is described as a Union of States, not a federation of States.
- Part I covers the Union and its territory.
Related articles
Continue learning
Article 2Article 3Article 4
Source references
Verification basis
Last reviewed against official sources: 2026-05-20.