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How did Telangana become a separate Indian state in 2014?

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Charminar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India — Hyderabad The Charminar in the old city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Telangana became a separate Indian state in 2014 following decades of public agitation and political advocacy regarding regional disparities. While the Telangana region had been merged with the Andhra state in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh, many residents believed the region remained economically and educationally less advanced than coastal areas, fueling a desire for autonomy.12

The movement gained significant momentum in the 21st century with the establishment of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2001, a party specifically dedicated to achieving statehood. A major point of contention during years of negotiation was the status of Hyderabad, the region's most economically vital city. To resolve this, it was agreed that Hyderabad would serve as the joint capital for both states for 10 years, after which it would become the sole capital of Telangana.12

Following this agreement, both chambers of the Indian parliament approved the creation of the new state in February 2014. Telangana officially achieved statehood on June 2, 2014, with K. Chandrasekhar Rao serving as its first chief minister.12