AP Government & Administration

🏛️ Executive Structure

The Governor is AP's constitutional/nominal head, appointed by the President under Articles 153–162 (the general constitutional provisions, common to all states — see the Polity section for full depth). Real executive power rests with the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, collectively responsible to the AP Legislative Assembly.

🏛️ Legislature

Andhra Pradesh has a bicameral legislature — the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha, directly elected) and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad, partly elected/nominated) — one of only a handful of Indian states to retain an upper house. AP's Legislative Council was abolished in 1985, recreated in 2007, and has been the subject of periodic political debate over its abolition/retention since.

🏛️ Administrative Structure

Districts: AP underwent a major administrative reorganisation, expanding from 13 to 26 districts (effective April 2022), each headed by a District Collector, to bring administration closer to citizens.
Local self-government: a three-tier Panchayati Raj system — Gram Panchayat → Mandal Parishad → Zilla Parishad. AP notably uses the term "Mandal" for the intermediate tier (block-equivalent), distinct terminology from many other states.
Secretariat system: a village/ward secretariat structure delivering government services and scheme benefits at the grassroots level, staffed by dedicated volunteers/secretariat functionaries.

📜 APPSC Itself

The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC), established under Article 315 of the Constitution (which mandates a Public Service Commission for each state), is the constitutional body responsible for recruitment to state civil services — the very body conducting the Group 1/Group 2 exams this page is preparing you for.

🎯 Exam Angle

District count and Mandal-level terminology are frequently tested static facts unique to AP — make sure the current district count (26, since April 2022) is fresh in memory, as older sources may still cite the pre-reorganisation figure of 13.

💡 Key Facts

AP has a bicameral legislature (Assembly + Council) — the Council was abolished in 1985 and recreated in 2007.
AP reorganised from 13 to 26 districts, effective April 2022.
Panchayati Raj tier terminology: Gram Panchayat → Mandal Parishad → Zilla Parishad (note "Mandal," not "Block/Taluka").
APPSC is established under Article 315 of the Constitution.

🔖 60-Second Revision

Governor (nominal) → CM + Council of Ministers (real executive).
Bicameral legislature: Assembly + Council (abolished 1985, recreated 2007).
26 districts since April 2022 (up from 13).
3-tier Panchayati Raj using AP-specific "Mandal" terminology.
APPSC itself — established under Article 315.