Q. Which was the Capital of Andhra State when it was made a separate State in the year 1953? (UPSC Prelims 2008)
Answer: Kurnool
Notes: Andhra State was formed on October 1, 1953, by bifurcating the Telugu-speaking regions from Madras State under the States Reorganisation Act. Kurnool was designated its first capital, serving from 1953 to 1956 until Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh after merger with Telangana in 1956. This was confirmed by historical records: the 1953 separation established Kurnool as the administrative center, hosting the state legislature. Guntur was an important city but not the capital; Nellore and Warangal were not chosen.