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PM Modi Visits Sikkim to Mark 50 Years of Integration with India

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sikkim to mark 50 years of the state's integration with India. Sikkim merged with India on April 26, 1975, becoming its 22nd state through the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act. Before merger, Sikkim was an independent monarchy under the Chogyal (King Palden Thondup Namgyal). A referendum in 1975 saw an overwhelming 97.5% vote in favour of joining India. The visit underscored the strategic importance of Sikkim, which shares borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Key Facts & Details

10 points
  • 1
    PM Modi visits Sikkim to mark 50 years of integration with India
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    Sikkim merged with India on April 26, 1975 as the 22nd state
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    Integration done through the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act
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    Before merger, Sikkim was a monarchy under the Chogyal
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    1975 referendum: 97.5% voted in favour of joining India
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    Sikkim shares borders with China (Tibet), Nepal, and Bhutan

Deep Dive

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    Sikkim is India's least populous state and the second smallest by area
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    It is the only Indian state where Nepali is the official language
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    Nathu La pass in Sikkim connects India with Tibet/China
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    Sikkim was strategically critical during the 1962 Indo-China war and the 2017 Doklam standoff
Q

Exam Focus

Likely MCQ: Sikkim became India's 22nd state through which Constitutional Amendment? Answer: 36th Constitutional Amendment Act

Related Topics

SikkimConstitutional amendmentsIndian historyState formation

Exam Relevance & Angle

Polity & Governance: Constitutional amendments, state formation, and Indian history are core UPSC and SSC topics.

Target Exams

UPSC CSESSC CGLSSC CHSLState PCSRRB NTPC

Background & Context

Sikkim was an independent monarchy ruled by the Chogyal dynasty. After India's independence in 1947, Sikkim became a protectorate of India through a 1950 treaty. Growing pro-democracy sentiments led to political changes, and a referendum in April 1975 resulted in 97.5% voting to abolish monarchy and merge with India.

The 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975 formally made Sikkim the 22nd state of India. Its strategic location — sharing borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan — makes it critical for India's northeastern security architecture.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
36th AmendmentSikkimChogyalConstitutional amendmentsNathu La

Test Yourself

1 / 3

Sikkim became the 22nd state of India through which Constitutional Amendment?

This topic is important for:

UPSC CSE

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SSC CGL

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SSC CHSL

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PM Modi Visits Sikkim to Mark 50 Years of Integration with India — Current Affairs 2026-04-29