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UPSC Notes

Statehood of Jammu & Kashmir

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This issue tests understanding of India's federal structure, constitutional provisions related to states and Union Territories, the process of state reorganization, parliamentary powers, and the role of the judiciary in constitutional matters. It also highlights the political and administrative challenges in managing sensitive regions.

The status of Jammu & Kashmir has been a significant constitutional and political issue in India. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in August 2019, the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir was reorganized into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without a legislature). The demand and promise for the restoration of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir remain a key point of discussion in Indian federalism.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

August 5, 2019 Events

Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, leading to the reorganization of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

Divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir (with a legislative assembly) and Ladakh (without a legislative assembly).

Government's Stance

The Union government has stated its intention to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir at an appropriate time, after the security situation improves and delimitation exercise is completed.

Constitutional Challenge

The constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of J&K is currently under review by the Supreme Court of India.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Federalism
Conceptual areaConstitutional Law

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Parliament of IndiaEnacted the j&k reorganisation act
Supreme Court of IndiaAdjudicates constitutional challenges
Ministry of Home AffairsOversees administration of uts
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • August 5, 2019: Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
  • J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019: Created UTs of J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh.
  • Statehood restoration promised by Union government.
  • Supreme Court hearing challenges to the reorganization.
  • Impacts federalism and centre-state dynamics.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Distinguish between the constitutional provisions (Article 370) and the statutory law (J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019) that altered J&K's status.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day a...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day a...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935. Residuary Power was given to the

Modern HistoryOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian FederalismConstitutional Law
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935. Residuary Power was given to the

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day a...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

Open question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day a...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

Open question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Seven years after August 5: Delaying J&K statehood any longer would be a breach of trust

05 Aug 2026 · The constitutional and political journey of Jammu & Kashmir from a state with special status to a Union Territory, and the ongoing debate and government's commitment regarding the restoration of its statehood.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Statehood of Jammu & Kashmir

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Statehood of Jammu & Kashmir in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Statehood of Jammu & Kashmir

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

2024·Modern History
Solve

Consider the following pairs: State – Description I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks. II. Nagala...

2025·Geography
Solve

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935. Residuary Power was given to the

2018·Modern History
Solve

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day a...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

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