New Delhi: In a landmark move ending years of uncertainty, Parliament has formally declared Amaravati as the permanent and sole capital of Andhra Pradesh, with the Rajya Sabha approving the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on Thursday. The Lok Sabha had already cleared the legislation earlier.
The amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 grants statutory recognition to Amaravati, bringing long-awaited clarity to the state’s capital status. Following the passage of the Bill via voice vote, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh on the historic decision.
Speaking in the House, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai described the move as a “historic milestone,” saying it goes beyond administrative significance and restores pride, trust, and democratic confidence for over five crore citizens of the state. He noted that Amaravati had already been notified as the capital in 2016 and that the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, on March 28, 2026, passed a resolution seeking constitutional backing for the city.
The amendment, he added, ensures legal clarity and honours the Assembly’s resolution, paving the way for accelerated development aligned with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”
Joining the debate, Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said the legislation delivers long-overdue certainty and reflects renewed faith in democratic institutions. Calling it an emotional moment, he said the decision represents not just the identification of a capital but a reassertion of Andhra Pradesh’s identity and self-respect post-bifurcation.
He also criticised the manner in which the state was bifurcated, pointing out that unlike the smoother creation of states such as Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Andhra Pradesh was left without a capital and saddled with a ₹16,000 crore revenue deficit.
Earlier, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury termed the 12-year delay in finalising Amaravati as the capital a “historic failure” of both Parliament and the Centre. Backing the decision, she asserted that Amaravati’s recognition was not a government favour but the result of sustained struggle by farmers and citizens.
With the Bill now cleared, Amaravati’s status as Andhra Pradesh’s permanent capital is legally sealed, marking a decisive chapter in the state’s post-bifurcation journey.
