What was the initial constitutional status conferred on Sikkim immediately prior to its full statehood, via the 35th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1974?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Thirty Fifth Constitutional Amendment Act of 1974 conferred upon Sikkim the unique constitutional status of an Associated State, inserting Article 2A and a special schedule into the Constitution. This arrangement was short-lived and superseded the following year by full statehood through the Thirty Sixth Amendment Act. The concept of an associate state was entirely unique in Indian constitutional history and was revoked alongside the abolition of Article 2A.