Amaravati Declared Sole Capital of Andhra Pradesh: What the New Law Means

In a significant development, Parliament has passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, formally recognising Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The Bill received broad political support, including backing from the Congress. The only major opposition came from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which had earlier advocated a three-capital model for the State.

The move marks a decisive shift in Andhra Pradesh’s long-standing capital dispute and provides statutory clarity on an issue that has remained politically and legally contested for years.

Background: How the Capital Issue Evolved

The roots of the issue trace back to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, which led to the creation of Telangana.

• Hyderabad was designated as the joint capital of both States for a period of 10 years.
• This arrangement ended on June 2, 2024, after which Hyderabad became exclusively the capital of Telangana.
• Andhra Pradesh was required to establish its own capital.

Following the bifurcation:

• The then government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu declared Amaravati as the new capital.
• Administrative operations were gradually shifted from Hyderabad to Amaravati.

However, the situation changed in 2019:

• The YSRCP government proposed a three-capital model:
  • Visakhapatnam – Executive Capital
  • Amaravati – Legislative Capital
  • Kurnool – Judicial Capital

This proposal created uncertainty and triggered legal and political disputes.

Judicial Intervention

The issue reached the courts in 2022, when the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that:

• The State government could not shift the capital from Amaravati.
• The decision was based on the reasoning that reversing an earlier policy lacked legislative competence.

The YSRCP government challenged this decision before the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP).

However, after a change in government, the new administration reaffirmed its commitment to Amaravati, and the SLP is now in the process of being withdrawn.

What Does the 2026 Amendment Bill Provide?

The Amendment Bill introduces specific changes to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 to remove ambiguity.

Key Provisions

• Amaravati is officially declared the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.
• The amendment modifies Section 5(2) of the 2014 Act by inserting the words:
  • “at Amaravati”
• It also clarifies that:
  • Amaravati includes areas notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) Act, 2014.

Effective Date

• The recognition is made effective from June 2, 2024, the date when Hyderabad ceased to be the joint capital.

Why Was This Amendment Necessary?

The need for the amendment arises from the nature of the original 2014 Act:

• The Act did not explicitly name a permanent capital for Andhra Pradesh.
• It only provided a temporary arrangement involving Hyderabad.

This created legal ambiguity and allowed scope for:

• Policy reversals
• Competing capital proposals

By amending the Act, the Union government has:

• Provided statutory backing to Amaravati
• Reduced the possibility of future changes
• Ensured long-term stability in governance planning

The amendment effectively closes the debate on whether Andhra Pradesh can have multiple capitals.

Political Context and Consensus

The passage of the Bill reflects a rare moment of political consensus:

• Most parties supported the move to ensure clarity and stability.
• The Congress extended its support despite being in opposition.

However, the YSRCP opposed the Bill, though not entirely on the idea of Amaravati being the capital.

Why Has YSRCP Opposed the Bill?

The YSRCP’s opposition is more nuanced than outright rejection.

Key Concerns Raised

• The party argued that the Bill does not address pending issues, particularly:
  • Concerns of farmers under the Land Pooling Scheme
• Under this scheme:
  • Farmers voluntarily contributed land for capital development
  • In return, they were promised developed plots and benefits

YSRCP leaders have stated that:

• Compensation and development commitments to farmers remain incomplete
• The Bill does not provide a clear timeline or safeguards for these stakeholders

Thus, the opposition is centred on implementation gaps, not the concept of Amaravati itself.

What Happens Next?

With the legal recognition now in place:

• The focus is expected to shift to accelerating development in Amaravati
• Key priorities include:
  • Infrastructure development
  • Institutional setup
  • Addressing farmer concerns

The State government will also need to:

• Ensure transparency in land-related commitments
• Deliver on promises made under earlier development schemes