Telangana State, India

Telangana came into existence on 2 June 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Act No. 6 of 2014). The new state comprised ten districts of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh: Adilabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad, Warangal, Rangareddy, Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, Khammam, and Hyderabad, subject to the territorial adjustments specified in the Act.

Hyderabad was designated as the common capital of Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh for a period not exceeding ten years under Section 5 of the Reorganisation Act. That statutory common-capital period expired in June 2024; Hyderabad is now the capital of Telangana.

The formation of Telangana followed a decades-long statehood movement involving students, employees, political organisations, civil-society groups, and other sections of society. The movement resulted in significant loss of life during different phases of agitation, and the Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park in Hyderabad commemorates those who died in the statehood struggle.

Telangana is bordered by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh to the north, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south and east. Major cities include Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Khammam, and Karimnagar.

The modern movement for a separate Telangana state developed through several phases. Important background included the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1956, regional safeguards, disputes over their implementation, and subsequent political and social developments in the Telangana region.

• 1968–69: Major Telangana Movement – A major statehood agitation emerged in Telangana, involving students, government employees, political leaders and other sections of society. Hundreds of people lost their lives during the agitation. The Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park in Hyderabad commemorates those who sacrificed their lives during the statehood movements.
• 2001: TRS Founded – K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on 27 April 2001 to pursue the creation of a separate Telangana state.
• 2009: Deeksha – KCR began an indefinite hunger strike on 29 November 2009, demanding separate statehood for Telangana. The fast became an important turning point in the movement. On 9 December 2009, the Union Government announced that the process for forming a separate Telangana state would be initiated.
• 2010: Sri Krishna Committee – The Union Government constituted the Committee for Consultations on the Situation in Andhra Pradesh, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice B. N. Srikrishna, to examine the situation and consult political parties and other stakeholders.
• 2013–14: Final Phase – The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to create Telangana on 3 October 2013. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill was subsequently passed by Parliament, the Act received Presidential assent on 1 March 2014, and it came into force on 2 June 2014.

Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), founder of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, became the first Chief Minister of Telangana and took oath on 2 June 2014. His party formed the first government of the newly created state following the 2014 Assembly election.

• Term: 2 June 2014 – 6 December 2023
• Party: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in 2022
• Major Initiatives: The governments led by KCR introduced or expanded programmes including Rythu Bandhu, Mission Bhagiratha, and major irrigation initiatives including the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
• Economic Growth: Telangana's GSDP at current prices increased substantially during the state's first decade. Official state economic statistics report ₹14.64 lakh crore in 2023–24 and approximately ₹16.10 lakh crore in 2024–25.

During the KCR-led governments, Telangana implemented programmes and projects covering agriculture, irrigation, drinking water, infrastructure, information technology and social welfare.

Anumula Revanth Reddy became the second Chief Minister of Telangana on 7 December 2023. He leads the Indian National Congress government formed after the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election.

• Term: 7 December 2023 – Present
• Party: Indian National Congress
• Major Initiatives: The government has implemented programmes and election commitments including Mahalakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and agricultural loan-waiver measures, alongside initiatives in education, infrastructure and other sectors.
• Political Change: The 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election resulted in a change of government, with the Indian National Congress forming the state government.

Anumula Revanth Reddy took oath as Chief Minister on 7 December 2023 following the formation of the new state government.

Telangana is administratively divided into 33 districts, having expanded from the original ten districts at the time of state formation.

• Original 10 Districts (2014): Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy, and Warangal.
• District Reorganisation (2016): Telangana reorganised its administrative structure and created 23 new districts, increasing the number of districts from 10 to 31.
• February 2019: Mulugu and Narayanpet were created, bringing the total number of districts to 33.

The 33 Districts of Telangana:

• Adilabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hanumakonda, Hyderabad, Jagtial, Jangaon, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Jogulamba Gadwal, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mahabubabad, Mahabubnagar, Mancherial, Medak, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Mulugu, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Narayanpet, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Peddapalli, Rajanna Sircilla, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Wanaparthy, Warangal, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.

Telangana currently has 33 districts, 74 revenue divisions, and 612 revenue mandals.

Telangana has experienced substantial economic growth since its formation, with services, industry and agriculture all contributing to the state's economy. Hyderabad is a major centre for information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, financial services and other knowledge-based industries.

• GSDP Growth: Telangana's GSDP at current prices was approximately ₹16.10 lakh crore in 2024–25. The latest state economic data estimates GSDP at ₹17.82 lakh crore in 2025–26.
• Per Capita Income: Telangana's per-capita income at current prices was approximately ₹3.80 lakh in 2024–25, with the precise figure depending on the statistical revision used.
• IT & Technology: Hyderabad is a major national and international centre for information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aerospace and Global Capability Centres. Recent government estimates place the city among India's leading locations for GCC activity.
• Agriculture: Agriculture remains an important component of Telangana's economy, supported by irrigation, crop diversification, agricultural investment and rural development programmes.
• Irrigation: Irrigation has expanded substantially since state formation through major projects and programmes including the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, Mission Kakatiya, and other irrigation initiatives.

The services sector is the largest component of Telangana's economy. According to recent state estimates, services accounted for approximately 68.6% of GSVA in 2025–26, reflecting the importance of IT, trade, finance, communications, transport and professional services.

Telangana's economic development has also been accompanied by continuing challenges, including regional disparities, agricultural dependence on rainfall and irrigation, urban infrastructure pressures, and the changing impact of automation and artificial intelligence on technology and services employment.

Telangana's culture is a rich combination of its ancient regional traditions, Deccani heritage, and the composite cultural traditions of Hyderabad. The state's identity is reflected in its linguistic, culinary, religious, artistic and folk traditions.

• Languages: Telugu and Urdu are the official languages of Telangana. Urdu has a particularly strong historical and cultural presence in Hyderabad, while Deccani Urdu forms an important part of the region's cultural heritage.
• Literature: Telangana has a rich literary heritage spanning many centuries, encompassing Telugu, Urdu, Sanskrit and other literary traditions. The region has produced important poets, writers and scholars from the medieval period to the modern era.
• Cuisine: Telangana and Hyderabad are renowned for distinctive culinary traditions, including Hyderabadi Biryani, Haleem, kebabs, Double Ka Meetha, Sarva Pindi, Sakinalu, and other regional dishes.
• Festivals: Telangana celebrates a diverse range of festivals, including Bathukamma, Bonalu, Sankranti, Dasara, and major Hindu and Muslim festivals. Bathukamma is a distinctive floral festival strongly associated with Telangana's cultural identity.
• Art & Architecture: The state is home to major historical landmarks including the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Warangal Fort, Thousand Pillar Temple, and Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hyderabad's Salar Jung Museum houses a major collection of art and antiquities associated largely with the Salar Jung family.
• Dance & Folk Traditions: Perini Sivatandavam, associated with the Kakatiya period, is an important dance tradition of Telangana. Other traditions include Oggu Katha, Chindu Yakshaganam, and numerous regional folk performance and musical traditions.

Hyderabad occupies a central place in Telangana's history and cultural landscape. The city's heritage reflects interactions among Telugu, Urdu, Persian, Islamic, Hindu and other Deccan traditions, creating a distinctive composite cultural environment.

Telangana has made progress in healthcare and education since state formation, while continuing to address challenges relating to equitable access, quality and regional disparities.

• Maternal Health: Telangana's Maternal Mortality Ratio was reported at 43 per 100,000 live births for 2018–20 under the Sample Registration System.
• Infant Health: Infant mortality statistics vary by source and reference year; therefore, current comparisons should be made using the latest published Sample Registration System or other official health statistics.
• Healthcare Investment: Government budget allocations have increased over time across the Health, Medical and Family Welfare sector, alongside investment in hospitals, medical colleges and public-health programmes.
• Education: Education remains a major public-service sector, with government investment covering school education, higher education, residential institutions, universities, skill development and other educational programmes.

Telangana has expanded healthcare and educational infrastructure since state formation, while continuing to face challenges related to equitable access, quality of services, rural healthcare and educational outcomes.

• 17 September 1948: Hyderabad State comes under Indian Union administration following the end of the Nizam's rule.
• 1 November 1956: Telangana region merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.
• 1968–69: Major Telangana statehood movement develops; many people lose their lives during the agitation.
• 27 April 2001: K. Chandrashekar Rao founds the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).
• 29 November 2009: KCR begins an indefinite hunger strike demanding separate statehood.
• 9 December 2009: Union Government announces initiation of the process for Telangana formation.
• 2010: Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee constituted to consult stakeholders and examine the situation in Andhra Pradesh.
• 3 October 2013: Union Cabinet approves creation of Telangana.
• 18 February 2014: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill passed by the Lok Sabha.
• 20 February 2014: Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha.
• 1 March 2014: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act receives Presidential assent.
• 2 June 2014: Telangana officially comes into existence as India's 29th state.
• October 2016: District reorganisation creates 23 new districts, increasing the total from 10 to 31.
• February 2019: Mulugu and Narayanpet are created, bringing the total to 33 districts.
• 2022: TRS is renamed Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
• 7 December 2023: A. Revanth Reddy takes oath as the second Chief Minister of Telangana.
• June 2024: The ten-year statutory period for Hyderabad's common-capital status under the Reorganisation Act expires; Hyderabad remains the capital of Telangana.