Polity Chapters

1. Evolution of Indian Constitution2. Constituent Assembly and Making of the Constitution3. Different Sources of the Indian Constitution4. Important Articles of the Constitution5. Important Amendments of the Constitution6. Some Special features of the Indian Constitution7. Federal and Unitary features of the Indian Union8. The Preamble9. Lapse of Paramountcy10. Integration and Merger of Indian States11. The Union and its Territories12. Reorganization of States13. Citizenship14. Fundamental Rights15. Directive Principles of State Policy16. Fundamental Duties17. Procedure of Amending the Constitution18. Executive of the Union19. The Parliament of India20. President of India21. Vice President22. Prime Minister23. Council of Ministers24. Lok Sabha25. Rajya Sabha26. Vidhan Sabha27. Vidhan Parishad28. Governor29. Chief Minister30. State Council of Ministers31. The Parliament of India32. NITI Aayog33. Executive of the States34. Special Position of J and K35. Panchayats36. Municipalities37. The Supreme Court38. The High Court39. Inter-State Council40. Finance Commission41. Planning Commission42. National Development Council43. National Integration Council44. Inter State Relations45. Emergency Provisions46. Public Service Commissions47. Election48. Delimitation Commission of India49. The Official Languages50. National Symbols51. Glossary of Constitutional Terms

Special Position of Jammu & Kashmir

“Jammu & Kashmir had a unique constitutional status under Article 370, granting it special autonomy within the Indian Union. However, this special status was abrogated in 2019 leading to significant changes in its political and administrative structure.”

Article 370 and Special Autonomy

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution provided Jammu & Kashmir with a special autonomous status, allowing it to have its own constitution, flag, and internal governance, except in matters of defense, foreign affairs, and communications.

  • J&K had its own Constitution adopted in 1956.
  • The Indian Parliament required the state government's recommendation to apply laws to J&K.
  • Variations existed in citizenship, property rights, and fundamental rights compared to other Indian states.

Instrument of Accession

In 1947, the Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession to India, allowing India to govern defense, foreign affairs, and communications.

Abrogation of Article 370 and Latest Amendment

On August 5, 2019, the Government of India abrogated Article 370 through a Presidential Order and Parliamentary resolution, removing Jammu & Kashmir's special autonomous status.

Following this, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed, which reorganized the former state into two separate Union Territories:

  • Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature)
  • Ladakh (without legislature)

This reorganization came into effect on October 31, 2019, marking a major constitutional and administrative change.

Previous Year Questions

  • HSSC 2018: What is the significance of Article 370?
  • It provided special autonomous status to Jammu & Kashmir.
  • SSC JE 2019: When was Article 370 abrogated?
  • August 5, 2019
  • RRB ALP 2020: What was the outcome of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019?
  • The former state was bifurcated into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
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