Indian Parliament's Power to Rename or Redefine the Boundary of a State

The power to rename or redefine the boundary of a state in India lies with the Indian Parliament. This authority is granted under Article 3 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the Parliament to make laws for the formation of new states, alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing states. However, there are certain requirements and procedures that need to be followed for exercising this power.

Explanation of the Answer

The correct answer to the question is option 'A' - a simple majority. Let's delve into the reasons behind this choice:

1. Constitutional Provision: Article 3 of the Constitution of India empowers the Parliament to make laws for the formation of new states, alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing states. This provision grants the Parliament the authority to rename or redefine state boundaries.

2. Simple Majority: The process of renaming or redefining the boundary of a state requires the introduction and passing of a bill in both houses of Parliament - the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The bill must be passed by a simple majority of the members present and voting in each house.

3. Simple Majority Definition: A simple majority refers to the number of members present and voting in favor of a decision being greater than the number of members present and voting against it. It does not require an absolute majority, which would necessitate more than half of the total membership of the house.

4. Example: To illustrate this, let's consider a hypothetical scenario where the Parliament wants to rename a state. If there are 100 members present and voting in the Lok Sabha, and the bill receives the support of 51 members, while 49 members vote against it, the bill would be considered passed by a simple majority.

5. Procedural Safeguards: While a simple majority is sufficient for passing a bill related to renaming or redefining state boundaries, it is essential to note that the process also involves consultations with the concerned state legislature. The President of India must refer the bill to the concerned state legislature for expressing its views within a specified period. The Parliament must take into consideration these views before making a final decision.

In conclusion, the Indian Parliament can rename or redefine the boundary of a state by a simple majority. This provision is enshrined in Article 3 of the Constitution of India, which grants the Parliament the power to make laws for such alterations. The process involves passing a bill in both houses of Parliament by a simple majority of the members present and voting, after considering the views of the concerned state legislature.