With which of the following amendments was Pondicherry incorporated into the Union of India?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The 14th Amendment Act of 1962 formally incorporated the territories of the former French establishments in India—Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam—as the Union Territory of Puducherry.
This amendment was enacted following the treaty of cession signed by India and France, with the de jure (legal) transfer taking place on August 16, 1962.
The amendment also inserted Article 239A, which empowered Parliament to create legislatures and councils of ministers for certain Union Territories, including Pondicherry.

Option A: The 13th Amendment (1962) pertains to the formation of the state of Nagaland and provides for special provisions under Article 371A.
Option B: The 12th Amendment (1962) incorporated Goa, Daman, and Diu as a Union Territory after their liberation from Portuguese rule.
Option D: The 21st Amendment (1967) is related to official languages; it added Sindhi to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Constitutional Amendments for the Incorporation of Territories as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding how the political map of India was formed is crucial for general awareness, a component of many competitive exams.
Knowledge of key constitutional amendments demonstrates an understanding of the country's legal and political framework.
What if the question asked about the de facto transfer? The de facto (in fact) transfer of French Indian settlements to the Indian Union occurred on November 1, 1954, while the de jure (by law) transfer, formalized by the 14th amendment, was in 1962.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Pondicherry', 'incorporated', and 'amendment'.
This is a direct recall question from Indian Polity, specifically focusing on the reorganization of states and union territories.
Access your knowledge base regarding the integration of former European colonies into India after independence.
Systematically evaluate each option. The 12th, 13th, and 14th amendments all occurred in 1962 and dealt with territories. Recall which territory corresponds to which amendment.
Eliminate the 21st amendment as it deals with languages, not territory.
Differentiate between the 12th (Goa), 13th (Nagaland), and 14th (Pondicherry) to find the correct match.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.