Identify the correct statements regarding the Foundation Day of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura: Statement 1: Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura attained full statehood on January 21, 1972 under the North Eastern Region (Re-organisation) Act, 1971. Statement 2: Manipur and Tripura were Union Territories before becoming states, while Meghalaya had autonomous status within Assam under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Statement 3: Meghalaya was a Union Territory from 1949 to 1972 before attaining statehood. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct answer is Statement 1 and Statement 2 only. Statement 1 is correct as Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura became full-fledged states on January 21, 1972 under the North Eastern Region (Re-organisation) Act, 1971. Statement 2 is correct as Manipur and Tripura were Union Territories, while Meghalaya had autonomous status within Assam under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Statement 3 is incorrect because Meghalaya was not a Union Territory; it had autonomous status within Assam before attaining statehood. In News Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura celebrated their 54th Foundation Day on January 21, 2026. Key Points The three Northeastern states attained statehood on January 21, 1972. The North Eastern Region (Re-organisation) Act, 1971 enabled their transition to full statehood. Manipur and Tripura were Union Territories before becoming states. Meghalaya had autonomous status within Assam from 1969. The Foundation Day celebrates cultural heritage, history and traditions of the states. Additional Information North Eastern Region (Re-organisation) Act, 1971: A legislation that reorganised the northeastern region and granted statehood to Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. Sixth Schedule: Constitutional provisions for the administration of tribal areas, under which Meghalaya enjoyed autonomous status within Assam. Union Territory: A region governed directly by the Central Government before attaining statehood. Important Points Integration into India: Manipur and Tripura were integrated into India in October 1949. Autonomous State of Meghalaya: Created in 1969 under the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act, 1969. Foundation Day Significance: Marks the elevation of regions from Union Territory or autonomous status to full statehood.