Associate state
Topic: Regional Aspirations: J&K, Punjab, the North-East and Accommodation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 7 "Regional Aspirations"
Meaning
"Associate state" was a halfway status given to Sikkim by the 35th Amendment (1974). It linked Sikkim to the Indian Union but did not make it a full state. It was used only once and soon ended. It matters because it shows the step-by-step route by which Sikkim joined India.
Example
After the 1974 election, the elected Sikkim Congress wanted integration with India, and the 35th Amendment made Sikkim an associate state. Within a year, the 36th Amendment (1975) ended this status and made Sikkim India's 22nd state from 16 May 1975.
Don't confuse with
- Protectorate: Sikkim's status before 1974. India handled its defence and foreign affairs, while the Chogyal (the king) ran internal affairs. As an associate state, Sikkim had a formal link to the Union through the Constitution.