{"id":101559,"date":"2026-05-04T11:50:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T06:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=101559"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:50:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T06:20:31","slug":"kashmir-issue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/kashmir-issue\/","title":{"rendered":"Kashmir Issue, History, Articles 370 &#038; 35A, Causes, Key Events"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Kashmir issue is a long-standing conflict over Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan since 1947. It began after the region\u2019s accession to India, leading to disputes and wars between the two countries. Over time, it has become a complex issue involving security, politics, and people\u2019s rights. Today, it remains a key topic for peace and stability in South Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>History of Jammu and Kashmir Issue<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Early History of Kashmir<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kashmir has a very<\/span><b> rich and long history,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and one of the earliest written records about it comes from the famous book <\/span><b>Rajatarangini written by Kalhana. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text gives us valuable information about <\/span><b>ancient rulers and events.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In ancient times, Kashmir, along with regions like Jammu, Ladakh, and Gilgit, was mainly <\/span><b>ruled by Hindu and Buddhist kings.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It was also an important center for both religions, attracting scholars, monks, and learners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several powerful dynasties such as the <\/span><b>Gonanditya, Karkota, and Lohara ruled Kashmir for many years.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These rulers helped shape the culture, traditions, and political system of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Shift in Rule and New Dynasties<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Hindu rule in Kashmir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continued for a long time, but a major change happened in <\/span><b>1339 when Shah Mir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> became the <\/span><b>first Muslim ruler. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This marked the beginning of the <\/span><b>Shah Mir dynasty.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shift from <\/span><b>Hindu to Muslim rule<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> brought many cultural and administrative changes, and over time, both communities contributed to the region\u2019s unique identity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Mughal, Sikh and Later Rule<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1587,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Kashmir came under the control of the <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mughal-empire\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mughal Empire<\/a> when Akbar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conquered it. The Mughals influenced art, architecture, and governance in Kashmir.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later, <\/span><b>Kashmir was ruled by Afghan rulers,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and then by the <\/span><b>Sikh Empire<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under <\/span><b>Ranjit Singh. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shows that different communities ruled the region at different times.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Dogra Rule Begins<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the <\/span><b>mid-19th century, Jammu and Kashmir came under the rule of Gulab Singh,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who belonged to the <\/span><b>Dogra dynasty.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> His rule marked the beginning of a new political phase for the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1846,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an important agreement called the <\/span><b>Treaty of Amritsar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was signed between <\/span><b>Gulab Singh and the British East India Company. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This agreement played a key role in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of this treaty, <\/span><b>Gulab Singh paid a large sum of money<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (around 75 lakh rupees) to the British. In return, he <\/span><b>received control over Kashmir <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and nearby areas. This helped bring <\/span><b>different regions like Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh under one unified rule.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After this agreement, <\/span><b>Jammu and Kashmir became a princely state.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This means it was ruled by its own <\/span><b>king (the Dogra ruler),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but it was also under the overall influence and control of the British.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Last Ruler Before Independence<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1925,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hari Singh became <\/span><b>the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> He was the last king of the princely state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During his rule, important political changes took place, especially around the time of India\u2019s independence in 1947.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was under Hari Singh that <\/span><b>the historic agreement (Instrument of Accession) was signed with India,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which decided the future of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Background of Kashmir\u2019s accession to India<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the time of India\u2019s independence in 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was one of the many princely states. These states were given three choices: <\/span><b>join India, join Pakistan, or remain independent.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ruler of J&amp;K, <\/span><b>Hari Singh, did not want to immediately join either country. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He hoped to keep the state independent and maintain control over it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To manage day-to-day matters while delaying a final decision, he proposed a <\/span><b>Standstill Agreement to both India and Pakistan. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This agreement meant that existing arrangements like trade, communication, and travel would continue as they were.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pakistan agreed to this proposal on 15 August 1947. India, however, suggested that further discussions were needed before making any decision.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, the people of Kashmir were also politically active. Many supported the freedom movement and wanted a better future, not just freedom from British rule but also relief from the old feudal system under the Dogra rulers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tribal Invasion and Crisis<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite agreeing to the Standstill Agreement, <\/span><b>Pakistan supported a tribal invasion in October 1947.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Thousands of armed tribal fighters entered Kashmir from the north.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These <\/span><b>attackers caused violence and captured several areas, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">creating panic and instability in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This sudden invasion made the situation very serious, and the Maharaja found it difficult to protect the state on his own.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Appeal to India and Signing of Accession<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facing this emergency,<\/span><b> Maharaja Hari Singh asked India for military help. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also sent <\/span><b>Sheikh Abdullah to Delhi to support his request.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian government agreed to help, but on one condition: <\/span><b>the state had to officially join India.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On <\/span><b>26 October 1947,<\/b> <b>Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">making Jammu and Kashmir a part of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to this agreement, <\/span><b>India would take control <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of important matters like <\/span><b>defence, foreign affairs, and communications, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">while the state could manage its internal affairs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immediately after the signing, on 27 October 1947, India responded quickly by sending its troops to Kashmir through airlifting, and within a short time, these forces were able to stop the invading forces and protect major parts of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Political Changes After Accession<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In March <\/span><b>1948, Maharaja Hari Singh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> announced the formation of an interim government to give people more representation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Sheikh Abdullah became the Prime Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of this new government, marking a shift towards more democratic governance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later, <\/span><b>Hari Singh transferred his powers to his son Karan Singh,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who became the Regent (temporary ruler).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the accession, Pakistan did not accept this move, which led to the outbreak of the First Kashmir War, as both sides tried to gain control over different areas of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the advice of <\/span><b>Lord Mountbatten, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in <\/span><b>January 1948, India took the issue to the United Nations Security Council,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stating that Pakistani-backed forces had illegally entered and occupied parts of Kashmir.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India requested international help to ensure that these forces withdraw and peace is restored in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>UN proposed a ceasefire, demilitarization (removal of troops), and a plebiscite<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to let people decide their future.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>ceasefire was successfully implemented,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but further steps could not be completed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plebiscite did not take place because<\/span><b> India and Pakistan could not agree on key conditions, especially regarding troop withdrawal.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>ceasefire was finally declared on 1 January 1949, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which stopped the fighting but also resulted in the division of the region along what came to be known as the <\/span><b>Line of Control,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with India controlling about two-thirds of the territory while Pakistan held the remaining areas, including Gilgit and Baltistan.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Delhi Agreement (July 1952)<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Delhi Agreement was signed in July 1952<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to define the <\/span><b>relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Union<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while maintaining the state\u2019s special status.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Jammu and Kashmir was given residuary powers,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> meaning powers not mentioned in the Constitution remained with the state, unlike other states where they belong to the Centre.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>People of the state were recognized as Indian citizens,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but the state could grant special rights and privileges to its permanent residents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The state was allowed to <\/span><b>have its own flag along with the national flag,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without challenging the authority of the Union flag.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The head of the state, called <\/span><b>Sadar-i-Riyasat, was to be elected by the state legislature, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">instead of being appointed by the Centre.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were debates on applying Fundamental Rights, especially because of land reforms led by Sheikh Abdullah.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/supreme-court-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Supreme Court of India<\/a> had limited jurisdiction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> initially, mainly for appeals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Emergency provisions (Article 352) could apply,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but for internal issues only with the state\u2019s consent, while <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/article-356\/\" target=\"_blank\">Articles 356<\/a><\/strong> and 360 were not applied.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Article 370 of the Indian Constitution<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 370<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was a special provision in the<\/span><b> Constitution (Part XXI) that gave Jammu and Kashmir<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a unique status within India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was drafted with the involvement of <\/span><b>Sheikh Abdullah to address the region\u2019s specific political and historical situation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the time of accession.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under this article,<\/span><b> only matters like defence, foreign affairs, finance, and communications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were directly under the Centre, while other laws required approval of the state government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Jammu and Kashmir had its own constitution, flag, and governance system,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including earlier positions like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/prime-minister\/\" target=\"_blank\">Prime Minister<\/a><\/strong> and Sadar-i-Riyasat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The state followed <\/span><b>separate laws,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> especially regarding property rights and local privileges for residents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>1954 Presidential Order<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> defined which parts of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Indian Constitution<\/a><\/strong> would apply to the state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The article could be revoked only with the recommendation of the state\u2019s Constituent Assembly, but since it was dissolved without doing so, the provision continued for many years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it aimed to protect the region\u2019s identity and autonomy, it remained debated, with differing views on its impact on national integration.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Article 35A (1954)<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Article 3<\/span><b>5A was added in 1954<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through a Presidential Order under Article 370, mainly for Jammu and Kashmir.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It allowed the state government to define who qualifies as a <\/span><b>\u201cpermanent resident\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and to give them special rights and privileges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While <\/span><b>Article 370 gave special status to the state, Article 35A focused on giving special benefits to its residents.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These special rights included government jobs, property ownership, settlement rights, and scholarships.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People from other states of India were not allowed to buy property, settle permanently, or access state benefits in Jammu and Kashmir.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The definition of <\/span><b>permanent residents could only be changed by the state assembly with a two-thirds majority.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per state rules, a permanent resident was someone who was a state subject before <\/span><b>May 14, 1954, or had lived there for a long time and owned property legally.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were also rules about people who migrated during partition and later returned with proper permission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, there were concerns that women might lose property rights after marrying outsiders, <\/span><b>but a 2002 <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/high-courts-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">High Court<\/a> ruling protected their rights.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The article gave the state government power to decide who gets privileges, but it also remained debated, with some people supporting it for protecting local identity and others questioning its constitutional validity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Threats and Challenges Faced by Jammu and Kashmir<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jammu and Kashmir <\/span><b>faces rising terrorism and violence, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which continues to disturb peace and daily life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cross-border infiltration and support from Pakistan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> make the security situation more complex.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Porous borders and LoC crossings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allow militants to enter the region easily.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public dissatisfaction and local grievances<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sometimes add to unrest and instability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> rise of lone-wolf attacks and use of drones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has made it harder for security forces to predict and prevent threats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Development challenges,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including gaps in healthcare, education, and governance, affect the overall stability of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At times,<\/span><b> militants get local support or sympathy, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which makes it difficult to track and arrest them quickly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Major Changes in 2019<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In August 2019, Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/rajya-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rajya Sabha <\/a><\/strong><\/span><b>the revocation of <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/article-370-of-the-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">Article 370<\/a>.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new Presidential Order was issued, which replaced the 1954 order and <\/span><b>allowed the full application of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This step also led to the removal of Jammu and Kashmir\u2019s separate constitution and its special status.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The decision was taken with the approval of the state\u2019s Governor (acting on behalf of the state government at that time).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After this, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 was passed, which divided the state into <\/span><b>two Union Territories &#8211; Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 31 October 2019, Jammu &amp; Kashmir became a Union Territory with a legislature, while Ladakh became a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/union-territories-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Union Territory<\/a><\/strong> without a legislature.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Government Initiatives for Jammu &amp; Kashmir Development<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government of India is making strong efforts to develop Jammu and Kashmir by focusing on<\/span><b> infrastructure, economy, and social welfare to improve people\u2019s lives.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major projects like the <\/span><b>Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are helping connect the <\/span><b>Kashmir Valley with the rest of India,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including important structures like the Chenab Bridge. At the same time, better roads, highways like <\/span><b>NH-44, tunnels, and improved air travel (including new routes such as Srinagar-Sharjah)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are boosting connectivity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To grow the economy, the government launched the <\/span><b>New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) 2021,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which provides financial support and incentives to encourage industries and create jobs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There has been a strong push for digital development, <\/span><b>with better internet services like 4G connectivity and improved access in rural areas,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making communication and services easier.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the agriculture sector, programs like the <\/span><b>Holistic Agriculture Development Program, along with schemes such as PM-Kisan and crop insurance,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are helping farmers increase their income and adopt modern methods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The government is improving <\/span><b>healthcare and education <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by setting up new hospitals, medical colleges, and institutions like AIIMS to provide better facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special focus is being given to<\/span><b> women empowerment,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with programs that support self-help groups and encourage women-led development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Investments in sports infrastructure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are helping youth get better training and opportunities at national and international levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kashmir issue overview with history, accession, Article 370, conflicts, India Pakistan relations, security challenges and recent developments in Jammu Kashmir.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":101325,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[7313,5484],"class_list":{"0":"post-101559","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-kashmir-issue","9":"tag-polity","10":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101559"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101618,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101559\/revisions\/101618"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}