Haryana at 60: Formation Under the 1966 Act
Why in News?
- Haryana completes 60 years of its formation on 1 November 2026, and President Droupadi Murmu will attend the Hirak Jayanti celebration at Kurukshetra, DD News reported on 30 October.
- She will also take part in an annual festival marking the centenary of Swami Shraddhanand's sacrifice at Gurukul, Kurukshetra.
- Haryana was formed on 1 November 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act.
Key Terminologies
- Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
- The law passed by Parliament on 18 September 1966 that divided the state of Punjab. It created Haryana as a new state from 1 November 1966.
- Hirak Jayanti
- The Hindi term for a diamond jubilee, used for the celebration of 60 years of Haryana's formation.
- Linguistic Reorganisation
- The creation of states on the basis of language. Haryana was carved out of the former East Punjab state on linguistic grounds, according to reports.
- Chandigarh
- A city that became a Union Territory and the provisional capital of both Punjab and Haryana under the 1966 Act. It remains the shared capital.
- Swami Shraddhanand
- An Arya Samaj leader and educationist, remembered for his work on education and social reform. His sacrifice is being marked in a centenary year.
Key Issues
- Shared Capital: Chandigarh was made a temporary Union Territory and the provisional capital of both states. It still serves both, with a shared High Court, Palace of Assembly and Secretariat building, and the arrangement remains a point of discussion between the two states.
- Territorial Adjustments: Under the 1966 Act, districts such as Kangra, Simla and Lahaul and Spiti, with several towns and parts of Hoshiarpur and Ambala districts, went to Himachal Pradesh, which was then a Union Territory. The reorganisation therefore redrew borders in three directions.
- Language as a Basis: Haryana was formed on linguistic grounds, a principle that shaped many states after 1956, and the debates around it continue to influence politics on territory and identity.
- Anniversary and Memory: Commemorations draw on history, and aspirants should keep to documented facts about the 1966 Act and avoid unverified claims about events of that period.
- Missing Details: The sources seen do not describe the commission, the first Chief Minister or river water arrangements, so those details should be checked from primary records.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Administrative Fit: The creation of a Hindi-speaking state gave the people of the region their own government and brought administration closer to them.
- Clear Legal Basis: The Punjab Reorganisation Act, passed on 18 September 1966, set out the division, and Parliament acted under its constitutional power to reorganise states.
- Shared Institutions: A shared High Court at Chandigarh, with a Palace of Assembly for both legislatures, allowed the two states to start functioning with existing buildings.
- Recognition of Heritage: The President's presence at the Hirak Jayanti and the centenary of Swami Shraddhanand draws attention to the region's role in education and reform.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Unfinished Questions: Chandigarh's status as a provisional shared capital has continued for decades without a final settlement.
- Dual Dependence: Two state governments, two governors with adjoining residences and a shared High Court require constant coordination.
- Border Adjustments: Transfers of areas to Himachal Pradesh and between states left local communities divided across new boundaries.
- Event Timing: The celebrations take place on 31 October and 1 November, so the events cannot be assessed on 30 October.
Key Initiatives
- Presidential Visit: President Droupadi Murmu will attend the Hirak Jayanti celebration on 1 November 2026 at Kurukshetra, marking 60 years of Haryana's formation.
- Shraddhanand Centenary: She will also attend an annual festival at Gurukul, Kurukshetra, commemorating the centenary of Swami Shraddhanand's sacrifice.
- Statutory Basis: The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, passed on 18 September 1966, created Haryana effective 1 November 1966.
- Shared Institutions: The Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Palace of Assembly and the Secretariat building at Chandigarh serve both states.
The Government marks the anniversary with the President's visit to Kurukshetra on 1 November 2026. The events have not yet taken place on the date of this report, so outcomes are not described. Chandigarh continues to serve as the provisional capital of both states.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Study the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, with its date of passage and effective date.
- Link Haryana's formation with the wider history of linguistic reorganisation of states after 1956.
- Know the arrangement for Chandigarh as a Union Territory and shared capital.
- Remember that Article 3 allows Parliament to form new states and change boundaries.
- Use only documented facts about the 1960s negotiations when writing answers.
Haryana's sixtieth anniversary recalls a reorganisation done by an Act of Parliament in 1966, with Chandigarh as a shared capital that remains in place. The commemoration also brings in Swami Shraddhanand's centenary in the same visit. For exam purposes, the safe facts are the date of the Act, the formation date, the status of Chandigarh and the transfer of hill areas to Himachal Pradesh. In a Mains answer, link it to linguistic reorganisation and cooperative federalism.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Haryana formed?
Haryana was formed on 1 November 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, which Parliament passed on 18 September 1966. It was carved out of the former East Punjab on linguistic grounds, and its 60th anniversary falls on 1 November 2026, when the President will attend the Hirak Jayanti celebration.
What happened to Chandigarh in 1966?
Chandigarh became a temporary Union Territory and the provisional capital of both Punjab and Haryana under the 1966 Act. It continues to serve both states, with a shared High Court, a Palace of Assembly that houses both legislatures and a Secretariat building for both Chief Secretaries.
Which areas went to Himachal Pradesh in 1966?
Under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, Kangra, Simla and Lahaul and Spiti districts, several towns, and parts of Hoshiarpur and Ambala districts went to Himachal Pradesh, which was then a Union Territory. This added hill areas to Himachal Pradesh and left Haryana and Punjab with their plains areas.
What is Hirak Jayanti?
Hirak Jayanti means diamond jubilee, and it is the name given to the celebration of 60 years of Haryana's formation. President Droupadi Murmu will attend it at Kurukshetra on 1 November 2026, along with an annual festival marking the centenary of Swami Shraddhanand's sacrifice.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 created the state of Haryana.
Haryana came into existence on 1 November 1966.
2 Chandigarh became the permanent capital of Haryana alone in 1966.
It became a Union Territory and the provisional capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
3 Parliament has the power to form new states under Article 3 of the Constitution.
Article 3 allows Parliament to form new states, alter areas and change boundaries or names of states.