Part of: Uttarakhand Polity Notes · See also: Uttarakhand GK
Quick answer
The Uttarakhand formation date is 9 November 2000, when it became the 27th State of India. The UP Reorganisation Act, 2000 carved it out of 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh. At first, its name was Uttaranchal. Later, the name became Uttarakhand from 1 January 2007. Meanwhile, Dehradun serves as capital, and Gairsain is the summer capital (as on 29 October 2026).
Key facts at a glance
- Formed on: 9 November 2000, as the 27th State of India, named Uttaranchal
- Law: Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 (Act No. 29 of 2000)
- President’s assent: 25 August 2000, by President K. R. Narayanan
- Statehood announced: by PM H. D. Deve Gowda from the Red Fort, 15 August 1996
- Renamed: Uttarakhand with effect from 1 January 2007
- Capitals: Dehradun since 2000; Gairsain (Bhararisain) summer capital, notified 8 June 2020
- Official languages: Hindi; Sanskrit as the second official language
Uttarakhand formation date and timeline
The table traces the key steps from the first recommendation to the summer capital. Examiners, therefore, often ask for one date from this chain.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 1994 | Kaushik Committee (UP Government) recommends a separate hill State with Gairsain as capital |
| 15 August 1996 | PM H. D. Deve Gowda announces statehood from the Red Fort |
| 25 August 2000 | President K. R. Narayanan gives assent to the UP Reorganisation Act, 2000 |
| 9 November 2000 | Uttaranchal comes into being as the 27th State |
| January 2001 | Dixit Commission on the permanent capital constituted |
| 21 December 2006 | Assent to the Uttaranchal (Alteration of Name) Act, 2006 |
| 1 January 2007 | Name changes to Uttarakhand |
| 17 August 2008 | Dixit Commission submits its report to CM B. C. Khanduri |
| 7 January 2010 | Assent to the Uttarakhand Official Language Act, 2009 |
| 4 March 2020 | CM Trivendra Singh Rawat announces Gairsain as summer capital in the Assembly |
| 8 June 2020 | Gairsain summer capital notified |
The Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000
The State owes its birth to the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 (Act No. 29 of 2000). President K. R. Narayanan gave his assent on 25 August 2000. Thus, the new State came into being on 9 November 2000.
The Act carved it out of 13 districts of UP. At that time, Atal Bihari Vajpayee (NDA) was Prime Minister, while Rajnath Singh was UP Chief Minister. For the 13 districts and two divisions, see the Uttarakhand districts list.
Early steps towards statehood
In May 1994, the UP Government’s Kaushik Committee recommended a separate hill State. It also suggested Gairsain as the capital. Later, on 15 August 1996, PM H. D. Deve Gowda announced statehood from the Red Fort.
So, the Uttarakhand formation date came over six years after the Kaushik Committee report. On that day, Surjit Singh Barnala became the first Governor. Similarly, Nityanand Swami took oath as the first (interim) Chief Minister, and the High Court began at Nainital.
From Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand
The State began as Uttaranchal. However, Parliament later passed the Uttaranchal (Alteration of Name) Act, 2006 (Act No. 52 of 2006). It got assent on 21 December 2006, and the name Uttarakhand applied from 1 January 2007.
This was an ordinary law of Parliament under Articles 3 and 4. Therefore, it was not a constitutional amendment, as Article 4(2) makes clear. Examiners also use this point in statement-based questions.
Capital: Dehradun and Gairsain
Dehradun has been the capital since 2000. However, the State has not notified a permanent capital so far. Besides, the Vidhan Sabha has two buildings, one at Dehradun and one at Bhararisain (Gairsain).
The Dixit Commission
In January 2001, the State set up a one-man commission under Justice (Retd) Virendra Dixit. It examined Dehradun, Kashipur, Ramnagar, Rishikesh and Gairsain as possible permanent capitals. Finally, it submitted its report on 17 August 2008 to CM B. C. Khanduri.
The commission favoured Dehradun. Its report, however, never came into effect.
Gairsain as summer capital
On 4 March 2020, CM Trivendra Singh Rawat announced Gairsain as the summer capital. He made the announcement in the Assembly during the Bhararisain budget session. Then, the government notified the decision on 8 June 2020.
Thus, Gairsain (Bhararisain) is the summer capital, while Dehradun remains the capital. For Trivendra Singh Rawat’s tenure, see the list of Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand.
Official languages of Uttarakhand
Hindi in the Devanagari script is the official language. In addition, Sanskrit is the second official language under the Uttarakhand Official Language Act, 2009.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official language | Hindi (Devanagari) |
| Second official language | Sanskrit |
| Law | Uttarakhand Official Language Act, 2009 (Act No. 14 of 2010) |
| Assent | 7 January 2010 |
| Law it replaced | UP Official Language Act, 1951 (in the State) |
| Constitutional basis | Article 345 (State may adopt languages); Article 343 (Hindi for the Union) |
| Main regional languages | Garhwali, Kumaoni, Jaunsari |
Notably, Uttarakhand was the first State to give Sanskrit this status. Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari, however, are regional languages, not official languages.
Mana and Lekhak Gaon
Mana: India’s “first village”
The village lies in Chamoli, near Badrinath, at about 3,200 m. On 21 October 2022, the PM said at Mana that every border village is the “first village”. As a result, people now call Mana India’s first village.
Near Mana, the Alaknanda and Saraswati meet at Keshav Prayag. In addition, Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa and Bhim Pul lie close by.
Lekhak Gaon: India’s first writers’ village
Lekhak Gaon (Writers’ Village) is at Thano, near Dehradun. It is India’s first writers’ village, and Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ conceived it. Moreover, former President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated it on 25 October 2024.
For other State records, see the firsts of Uttarakhand polity. Also, the emblem, bird and flower appear in state symbols of Uttarakhand.
Exam corner: common traps
- The Uttarakhand formation date is 9 November 2000, not 1 November 2000.
- The renaming Act is of 2006, but the new name applied only from 1 January 2007.
- Moreover, the renaming was an ordinary law under Articles 3 and 4; thus, it was not a constitutional amendment.
- Gairsain is the summer capital; however, no permanent capital exists yet, and nothing came of the Dixit report.
- The Official Language Act is of 2009, but its Act number is 14 of 2010.
What UKPSC has asked
- The State of Uttarakhand came into existence on which date? 9-11-2000 (UKPSC Upper PCS (Pre), 2021)
- Which President gave assent to the Bill creating Uttarakhand? K. R. Narayanan (UKPSC AFO (Pre), 2015)
- Which Prime Minister first declared Uttarakhand State? H. D. Deve Gowda (printed as ‘Devegowda’) (UKPSC RO/ARO (Pre), 2021)
- In which year did Uttaranchal become Uttarakhand? 2007 (UKPSC APO, 2015)
- Which CM declared Gairsain the summer capital in the Assembly? Trivendra Singh Rawat (UKPSC Upper PCS (Pre), 2021)
- Which Commission was formed to select the permanent capital? Dixit Commission (UKPSC ACF / LO / FRO (Pre), 2025)
Revise in one page
Uttarakhand came into being on 9 November 2000 as the 27th State, named Uttaranchal. It came from 13 UP districts under the UP Reorganisation Act, 2000 (Act No. 29). President K. R. Narayanan gave assent on 25 August 2000. Earlier, PM Deve Gowda announced statehood on 15 August 1996. The Kaushik Committee (May 1994) suggested Gairsain as capital. Then the Alteration of Name Act, 2006 renamed it Uttarakhand from 1 January 2007. It was an ordinary law under Articles 3 and 4. Dehradun is the capital; no permanent capital exists. The Dixit Commission favoured Dehradun, but nothing came of its report. Gairsain became summer capital: announced 4 March 2020, notified 8 June 2020. Hindi is official; Sanskrit is second. Finally, Mana is the “first village”.
In the news
- Third Pravasi Uttarakhandi Diwas at Doon University — on 13 November, days after the State’s foundation day.
- Uttarakhand tableau at Republic Day 2026 — how the State presents its identity nationally.
Practise Uttarakhand Polity
- Daily 25 free practice questions — UKPSC previous-year questions, every morning.
- UKPSC previous year papers — bilingual PDFs of Upper PCS, Lower PCS, RO/ARO and more.
- UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series — full-length tests with detailed solutions.
Preparing for UKPSC Upper PCS, Lower PCS or RO/ARO? Join SAMVEG IAS, Dehradun. For batch details, call or WhatsApp +91 84759 04943.
Uttarakhand Polity Notes series
- All topics: Uttarakhand Polity Notes
- Previous: State Symbols of Uttarakhand
- Next: Districts and Divisions of Uttarakhand
Frequently Asked Questions
Uttarakhand came into being on 9 November 2000 as the 27th State of India. It was first named Uttaranchal and was carved out of 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The State was formed under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 (Act No. 29 of 2000). President K. R. Narayanan gave his assent on 25 August 2000.
The name changed to Uttarakhand with effect from 1 January 2007. This followed the Uttaranchal (Alteration of Name) Act, 2006, which got assent on 21 December 2006.
Dehradun has served as the capital since 2000, though no permanent capital has been notified. Gairsain (Bhararisain) was declared the summer capital on 4 March 2020 and notified on 8 June 2020.
Sanskrit is the second official language under the Uttarakhand Official Language Act, 2009. Uttarakhand was the first State to give Sanskrit this status.
Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda announced statehood from the Red Fort on 15 August 1996.
Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.