---
title: "Sub-Nationalism: Meaning, Examples, India | Model Diplomat"
description: "Sub-nationalism refers to loyalty to a region or ethnic group within a state, important for understanding India's diverse political landscape and UPSC exams."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/sub-nationalism"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Sub-nationalism is collective political loyalty to a region, language, or ethnic community within a sovereign state, asserting distinct identity without seeking full separation.
- How does sub-nationalism differ from secessionism?
- Is sub-nationalism a threat to national unity in India?
- What is the difference between sub-nationalism and regionalism?
- Which constitutional provisions accommodate sub-nationalism in India?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Sub-nationalism is collective political loyalty to a region, language, or ethnic community within a sovereign state, asserting distinct identity without seeking full separation.

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Example

In 2014, the Indian Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, creating Telangana as the twenty-ninth state after a decades-long sub-nationalist movement led by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

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