There were 14 states and six union territories when reorganised in 1956 after independence, totalling 20. Now there are 35, with Telangana – if approved by parliament – becoming the 36th. And there are another six or so others lobbying for statehood. The primary reason is ethnic / language differences between different population mixes in the original / existing states. Given that there are 22 officially recognised languages, plus another c6 adopted by some of the new states, it would seem that the pressure for more sub-divisions is in sight.
Apparently, it is said that some Chinese strategist predicts there will be 40 Indian states! (http://wakeap.com/news/political/china-plans-to-split-india-into-40-smaller-states.html)
BBC: “India‘s ruling Congress-led coalition has unanimously agreed to the formation of a new state in the Telangana region of southern Andhra Pradesh state, officials say.
With a population of 40 million, the proposed state comprises 10 of Andhra Pradesh’s 23 districts including Hyderabad, India‘s sixth biggest city.
The state has seen protests for and against the proposal in recent years.
Backers of the new state say the area has been neglected by the government.
“It wasn’t an easy decision but now everyone has been heard and a decision has been taken,” senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh told Indian media.
Opponents of the move are unhappy that Hyderabad, home to many major information technology and pharmaceutical companies, could become Telangana’s new capital.
Congress party spokesman Ajay Maken said that Hyderabad would remain the common capital for the two states for a period of at least 10 years until Andhra Pradesh develops its own capital.
“A resolution was passed in the meeting where it was resolved to request the central government to take steps to form a separate state of Telangana,” Mr Maken told a news conference in Delhi.
He said that the resolution was cleared “after taking into account the chequered history of the demand for a separate state of Telangana since 1956”.
The final decision on a new state lies with the Indian parliament. The state assembly must also pass a resolution approving the creation of what will be India’s 29th state.”
via BBC News – India coalition approves new state of Telangana.
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CHINDIA ALERT: You'll be living in their world, very soon 