Amaravati Officially Declared as the Sole and Permanent Capital of Andhra Pradesh with Full Legal Status
The Central Government has issued the final gazette notification recognising Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh, granting it complete statutory and legal backing. This follows the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by both houses of Parliament and assent by President Droupadi Murmu.
The notification, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, formally amends the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. It replaces the generic phrase “a new capital” in Section 5(2) with “Amaravati shall be the new capital.” The amendment also provides a clear definition of “Amaravati” as the capital city area notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Act, 2014.
The change comes with retrospective effect from June 2, 2024 — the date when the 10-year period of Hyderabad as the common capital for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ended. This ensures legal clarity and protects the capital’s status from future political reversals.Background and Legislative ProcessThe process began with a resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to provide statutory recognition to Amaravati.
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was subsequently introduced and passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. After receiving presidential assent, the Centre issued the official gazette notification, completing the legal formalities.
This development ends years of uncertainty over the state’s capital following the 2014 bifurcation. Successive governments had proposed different locations, but the current move solidifies Amaravati as the permanent capital, backed by law and expected to be upheld by courts if challenged.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has welcomed the decision, stating that Amaravati will remain the capital “forever” and that legal safeguards will prevent any future changes.Significance
Provides full legal sanctity to Amaravati as the only capital of Andhra Pradesh.
All future references in central and state laws, notifications, and regulations will automatically point to Amaravati.
Strengthens investor confidence and accelerates infrastructure development in the capital region.
Resolves long-standing ambiguity created by the original 2014 Reorganisation Act.
The gazette notification marks the final step in a long journey to give Amaravati its due place as the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
The notification, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, formally amends the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. It replaces the generic phrase “a new capital” in Section 5(2) with “Amaravati shall be the new capital.” The amendment also provides a clear definition of “Amaravati” as the capital city area notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Act, 2014.
The change comes with retrospective effect from June 2, 2024 — the date when the 10-year period of Hyderabad as the common capital for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ended. This ensures legal clarity and protects the capital’s status from future political reversals.Background and Legislative ProcessThe process began with a resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to provide statutory recognition to Amaravati.
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was subsequently introduced and passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. After receiving presidential assent, the Centre issued the official gazette notification, completing the legal formalities.
This development ends years of uncertainty over the state’s capital following the 2014 bifurcation. Successive governments had proposed different locations, but the current move solidifies Amaravati as the permanent capital, backed by law and expected to be upheld by courts if challenged.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has welcomed the decision, stating that Amaravati will remain the capital “forever” and that legal safeguards will prevent any future changes.Significance
Provides full legal sanctity to Amaravati as the only capital of Andhra Pradesh.
All future references in central and state laws, notifications, and regulations will automatically point to Amaravati.
Strengthens investor confidence and accelerates infrastructure development in the capital region.
Resolves long-standing ambiguity created by the original 2014 Reorganisation Act.
The gazette notification marks the final step in a long journey to give Amaravati its due place as the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.