After years of controversy, Amaravati is confirmed as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh with full legal backing from the Centre
New Delhi: The Central Government officially declared Amaravati as the only capital of Andhra Pradesh on On Tuesday, April 7, 2026. This was done through the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2026, which got approval from President Droupadi Murmu on April 6. The law was then published in the official Gazette, finally ending one of the longest and most debated capital disputes in India after Independence.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed this on X (formerly Twitter) with a clear message: “The capital of Andhra Pradesh is Amaravati.” In a detailed statement, he thanked President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He called this decision a “historic victory” and a matter of pride and self-respect for Telugu people.
From State Division to Confusion: The 2014 Beginning
This issue started in 2014 when Andhra Pradesh was divided and Telangana became a separate state under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Hyderabad was made the joint capital for both states for up to 10 years. However, the law did not decide a permanent capital for Andhra Pradesh.
In 2015, then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced Amaravati as the new capital. It was planned as a completely new city on the banks of the Krishna River, between Guntur and Vijayawada. Farmers from 29 villages gave nearly 30,000 acres of land through a land-pooling scheme, hoping the area would develop into a world-class capital.
The Three-Capital Plan and Court Decision
In 2019, after the YSR Congress Party came to power under Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the government changed the plan. In January 2020, it proposed having three capitals:
• Amaravati as the legislative capital
• Visakhapatnam as the executive capital
• Kurnool as the judicial capital
This decision led to strong protests, especially from Amaravati farmers who had given their land. Many cases were filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
On March 3, 2022, the High Court gave an important judgment. It said the state government did not have the legal power to shift or divide the capital. The court clearly stated that Amaravati must remain the only capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The 10-year period of Hyderabad being a joint capital ended on June 2, 2024. By that time, the political situation had changed again. The TDP-led NDA alliance won the 2024 elections, and Chandrababu Naidu became Chief Minister again with a promise to make Amaravati the single capital.
The 2026 Amendment: Final Legal Clarity
On March 28, 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution asking the Central Government to amend the 2014 law and clearly name Amaravati as the capital. The Parliament acted quickly.
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced and passed by the Lok Sabha on April 1. It was then approved by the Rajya Sabha on April 2 through a voice vote, although the YSR Congress Party walked out in protest.
The amendment clearly states that “Amaravati shall be the new capital” and also defines the capital region under the earlier Capital Region Development Authority Act. The law is effective from June 2, 2024.
After the President’s approval and the official Gazette notification on April 7, 2026, Amaravati now has full legal status as the capital under central law. This means no future state government can change it unless Parliament passes another law.
A Win for Farmers and Federal Cooperation
For the thousands of farmers who gave their land in 2015, this decision brings relief after years of uncertainty. Chief Minister Naidu said this step respects their sacrifice and rebuilds their trust in the capital project..
The process also shows good cooperation between the state and the Centre. The state raised the issue, and the Centre provided the legal solution.
Twelve years after the 2014 state division, Andhra Pradesh finally has one clear and legally confirmed capital. Amaravati’s journey—from a farmer-supported idea to an officially recognised capital—is now complete. The government will now focus on building infrastructure and developing the capital region as planned.
