State PCS - JAMMU & KASHMIR (JKAS)

• 05 Aug 2025

Sixth Anniversary of Article 370’s Revocation

Why in News?

5th August 2025, marked the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 

Key Facts About Article 370

• Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
• It was drafted by N Gopalaswami Ayyangar, a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and was added as a 'temporary provision' in 1949.
• This article allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its constitution, flag, and autonomy over most matters except defence, foreign affairs, and communications.
• The provision was based on the terms of the Instrument of Accession, which was signed by the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh, in 1947 following an invasion by Pakistan.

Repeal of Article 370 by Government

• Presidential Order: In the 2019 Presidential orders, Parliament brought a provision giving new meaning to “constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir”, to mean “Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir”, and then assumed the powers of the Legislative Assembly through the President's rule to revoke Article 370.
  • Concurrent resolutions by both houses of Parliament revoked the remaining provisions of Article 370 and replaced them with new ones.
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: The Act bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

• Bifurcation: The Act divided Jammu and Kashmir into 2 Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • Leh and Kargil districts were included in the Union Territory of Ladakh, while the remaining areas became part of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Five Lok Sabha seats were retained by Jammu and Kashmir, and one was transferred to Ladakh.
• Legislature: The seats in the Legislative Assembly will be reserved for tribal and scheduled caste people to keep the proportion intact of their population in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Lt. Governors can nominate two women members for the Assembly to represent women.
  • The Legislative Assembly has the right to pass a law for any given part of the Union Territory of J&K related to any of the matters listed in the Indian Constitutions State's List except for the "Police" and "Public Order."