The State of Nagaland Act, 1962
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of States
Act details
| Short title | The State of Nagaland Act, 1962 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the formation of the State of Nagaland and for matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 27 of 1962 |
| Act year | 1962 |
| Enactment date | 4 Sep 1962 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of States |
| Department | Department of States |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 34 |
| Schedules | 1 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the State of Nagaland Act, 1962
Key Points
1. Primary Objective
• Establishment of the State of Nagaland and related matters.
2. Formation of Nagaland
• Effective Date: To be notified as the "Appointed Day" by the Central Government.
• Territorial Composition: Exclusively the Naga Hills-Tuensang Area, previously a part of Assam.
• Initial Administrative Divisions: Three districts - Kohima, Mokokchung, and Tuensang.
3. Constitutional Amendments
• First Schedule Amendment: Inclusion of Nagaland as a State.
• Sixth Schedule Adjustments: Reflecting the separation of the Naga Hills-Tuensang Area from Assam.
4. Governance and Legal Provisions
• Continuity of Laws: Pre-existing laws to remain in force until modified.
• Judicial Interpretation: Empowerment of courts to adapt laws for Nagaland’s context.
• Transitional Administrative and Judicial Arrangements: Ensuring continuity of government and legal functions.
5. Financial and Resource Management
• Expenditure Authorization: Temporary authorization by the President/Governor for expenditures from Nagaland’s Consolidated Fund.
• Revenue Distribution: Presidential determination of grants-in-aid and Nagaland’s share of Union revenues.
• Asset and Liability Transfer: Formal transfer of relevant assets, liabilities, and obligations from the Union to Nagaland.
7. Parliamentary Representation
• Allocation in House of the People: One seat for Nagaland, constituting a single parliamentary constituency.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The State of Nagaland Act, 1962
● Act Title - The State of Nagaland Act, 1962
● Act Number / Year - 27 of 1962
● Act ID (India Code) - 196227
● Presidential Assent Date - September 4, 1962
● Enforcement Date - September 4, 1962
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Creation of the State of Nagaland - Enacted under Article 3 of the Constitution to form the new State of Nagaland by combining the Naga Hills-Tuensang Area (NHTA), marking the creation of the 16th state of the Indian Union.
● Implementation of the 16-Point Agreement - Formulated to fulfill the political settlement reached between the Government of India and the Naga People's Convention (NPC) in July 1960, providing special constitutional safeguards for Naga religious, social practices, customary law, and land rights.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Central Government alongside the Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1962, to establish the territorial boundaries, parliamentary representation, and high court jurisdiction for Nagaland.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the August 1962 session.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on September 4, 1962.
● Enforcement - Enforced on September 4, 1962
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs.