Mains issueGS-2Editorials30 September 2026

Restoration of Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir: Federalism, Democracy, and Governance Challenges

An aspirant should be able to critically analyze the constitutional, political, and democratic implications of J&K's UT status and argue for the restoration of Statehood as a measure to strengthen federalism, democratic participation, and address regional aspirations, while acknowledging the Centre's stated conditions and security concerns.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

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Why now

The recent resolution by the newly constituted Jammu and Kashmir Assembly demanding immediate restoration of Statehood, coupled with past commitments from the Centre and the Supreme Court's directive, brings the issue to the forefront of India's federal discourse.

Core issue

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding the immediate restoration of full Statehood to the Union Territory, nearly seven years after its downgrade from a State in 2019. This move, supported by various political parties except the BJP, comes amidst the Centre's stated three-step path (delimitation, election, Statehood) and calls from the Supreme Court and Prime Minister for Statehood restoration 'as soon as possible' or 'at the appropriate time'. The article highlights the unprecedented nature of the downgrade, the peaceful 2024 elections with high voter turnout, and argues for Statehood as essential for democracy, federalism, and healing the region's past, cautioning against linking it to the end of militancy.

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