During the initial years, a significant issue of concern revolved around the potential threat to the nation's unity due to demands for separate states. There was apprehension that linguistic states might fuel separatist tendencies and exert pressures on the recently established country. However, owing to popular demand and the leadership's response, a decision was eventually made in favor of linguistic states. This choice was motivated by the belief that acknowledging the regional and linguistic aspirations of all regions would diminish the risks of division and separatism. Furthermore, the accommodation of regional demands and the formation of linguistic states were perceived as a more democratic approach.

As per The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, how many States and Union Territories were formed on 1st November 1956?

14 States and 6 UT's

The States Reorganization Commission was established in 1953 to study linguistic and cultural divisions and recommend state boundary changes.
The Commission concluded that state boundaries should align with linguistic boundaries, acknowledging India's linguistic diversity and respecting regional identities.
Based on the Commission's recommendations, the States Reorganization Act was passed in 1956, providing a constitutional basis for the creation of linguistic states.
The implementation of the act led to the formation of 14 new states and 6 union territories, promoting better governance, administration, and representation of diverse linguistic and cultural groups.

The 14 states were Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Mysore, Madras, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Bombay, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa. The 6 UTs were Delhi, Tripura, Manipur, Andaman and Nicobar islands, Himachal Pradesh, and Lacadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi islands.