SSC
Sikkim celebrates its Statehood Day on:
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Answer: Option B — 16 May
Detailed Solution
Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on 16 May 1975, and this day is celebrated as Sikkim Statehood Day.
History of Sikkim's merger with India:
- Sikkim was ruled for over 300 years by the Namgyal dynasty of kings, called "Chogyals", from 1642.
- After independence, it became an Indian protectorate under the India-Sikkim Treaty of 1950: India controlled its defence, foreign affairs and communications.
- In the early 1970s, there were mass protests against the Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, demanding democracy.
In 1974, the 35th Constitutional Amendment Act made Sikkim an "associate state" of India (Article 2A and the Tenth Schedule). This was a unique status.
On 14 April 1975, a referendum was held in which the vast majority of voters supported abolishing the monarchy and joining India.
The 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975 made Sikkim a full state of India with effect from 16 May 1975. It also repealed the provisions of the 35th Amendment.
Article 371F gives special provisions for Sikkim.
Kazi Lhendup Dorjee became the first Chief Minister.
About Sikkim:
- Capital: Gangtok.
- It is India's least populous state and the second smallest state by area, after Goa.
- Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), the highest peak in India and third highest in the world, lies on its border with Nepal.
- Nathu La pass connects Sikkim with Tibet (China).
- Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic state in 2016.
- Official languages include Nepali, Sikkimese (Bhutia), Lepcha and English.
Other statehood days:
- Nagaland: 1 December (1963).
- Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura: 21 January (1972).
- Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram: 20 February (1987).
- Goa: 30 May (1987).
- Jharkhand: 15 November (2000).
- Telangana: 2 June (2014), the 29th state.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1 November is the formation day of several states, such as Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh (1956).
- ✗26 April has no link to Sikkim's statehood.
- ✗21 January is the statehood day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura.
Quick tip
Remember: Sikkim = 22nd state, 16 May 1975 (36th Amendment; associate state by 35th Amendment, 1974; Article 371F; first organic state 2016).
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Important Days & Dates — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Important Days & Dates, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers national and international days observed through the year, such as National Youth Day, World Environment Day and International Yoga Day, along with the themes announced for them and the events or people they commemorate. Questions ask for the date of a day, the day observed on a given date, or the person it honours (for example, National Sports Day on 29 August marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand). Revise days month by month in a calendar format. Themes change every year, so learn the current year's themes from current affairs. Practise the important days questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.