Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, India: Amaravati has officially been granted statutory status as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, following the issuance of a gazette notification by the Government of India on April 6.

The development comes after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was passed by Parliament last week.

According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the amended Act is deemed to have come into effect from June 2, 2024. The amendment modifies the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, by replacing the earlier provision with a clear declaration that Amaravati shall be the new capital.

The Act further clarifies that Amaravati includes all areas notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) Act, 2014.

Parliament gave its final approval to the Bill on April 2, with the Rajya Sabha passing it through a voice vote a day after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha.

The enactment effectively ends years of uncertainty and political debate surrounding the capital issue, which emerged following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. It also rules out any future reconsideration of the previously proposed three-capital model.

A total of 35 Members of Parliament participated in the debate across both Houses. The Bill received overwhelming support, with the exception of two MPs from the YSR Congress Party, who opposed it citing concerns of farmers who had contributed land for the capital’s development.

The foundation for Amaravati as the capital was originally laid in 2015 under the Telugu Desam Party government. However, after the YSRCP came to power in 2019, development activities were halted and the proposal for three capitals was introduced.

Following the return of the TDP-led NDA government in 2024, the decision was taken to develop Amaravati as the sole capital, with construction and development works being resumed last year.