Separatist movements have been one of the major factors contributing to militancy and instability in Jammu & Kashmir (J & K). Bring out actions taken by the Government to bring J & K into national mainstream. Discuss pre and post abrogation status of Articles 370 and 35A. Also bring out positive impacts of abrogation of both articles in mainstreaming the state.
Approach · directive: “bring out / discuss”
What it asks · Link separatism to militancy in J&K, set out the government's mainstreaming measures, compare the constitutional position before and after 2019, and assess the gains of abrogation.
The question has 3 parts — answer each
- Bring out how separatism fuelled militancy and the actions taken by the Government to bring J&K into the national mainstream
- Discuss the status of Articles 370 and 35A before and after abrogation
- Bring out the positive impacts of abrogation in mainstreaming the region
Open with · Separatist politics, backed from across the border, fuelled militancy in J&K from 1989; on 5 August 2019 Parliament ended the special status under Article 370.
Cover
- Separatism: Hurriyat politics, cross-border terror and radicalisation, and cycles of stone-pelting and shutdowns kept the region unstable.
- Government action: counter-terror operations, NIA action on terror funding, bans on separatist outfits, PM's Development Package, Back to Village, skilling and outreach.
- Before: Article 370 limited Parliament's laws to agreed subjects with state concurrence; separate constitution and flag; Article 35A let the state define permanent residents.
- After: the entire Constitution applies; J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 created two UTs; 35A ended; domicile rules introduced; Supreme Court upheld the move in December 2023.
- Positive impacts: central laws (RTE, SC/ST protections, anti-corruption) apply; reservations extended; women's property rights; investment and tourism; panchayat, DDC and assembly elections held.
- Caveats: statehood yet to be restored, terror attacks persist (Pahalgam, 2025), need for political dialogue and trust-building.
Close with · Legal integration is complete; emotional integration needs restored statehood, jobs, security and continued democratic engagement.
Add value (verified)
- The Supreme Court's December 2023 verdict constitutionally upheld Parliament's 5 August 2019 decision. PIB — PM on the Supreme Court's Article 370 verdict (11 December 2023) ↗“the Supreme Court’s verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2026, GS Paper III — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer · 288 words (UPSC limit 250) · Minimalist IAS
Separatist politics, backed from across the border, fuelled militancy in J&K from 1989; on 5 August 2019 Parliament ended the special status under Article 370, a move the Supreme Court upheld in December 2023.
Separatism and government action
- Separatism: Hurriyat politics, cross-border terror and radicalisation, and cycles of stone-pelting and shutdowns kept the region unstable and its economy stalled.
- Action: sustained counter-terror operations; NIA cases against terror funding; bans on separatist outfits; the PM's Development Package; 'Back to Village' outreach; skilling and youth engagement.
- Governance outreach: panchayat and District Development Council elections took decision-making to villages and gave the young an alternative to separatist politics.
Articles 370 and 35A: before and after
- Before: Article 370 limited Parliament's laws to agreed subjects and required the state's concurrence for others; J&K had its own constitution and flag; Article 35A let the state define 'permanent residents' and reserve land, jobs and settlement for them.
- After: the whole Constitution applies; the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 created the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh; Article 35A ceased; new domicile rules opened residence-based rights; the Supreme Court upheld the change in December 2023.
Positive impacts of abrogation
- Legal integration: central laws such as the RTE Act, SC/ST protections and anti-corruption laws now apply; reservations extended to more groups; women's property rights protected.
- Democratic deepening: panchayat, District Development Council and assembly elections held, giving grassroots institutions a mandate.
- Economy: rising investment and tourism, infrastructure and connectivity projects, and central schemes on the same terms as other states.
- Caveats: statehood is yet to be restored; terror attacks persist, as at Pahalgam in 2025; political dialogue and trust-building must continue.
Legal integration is complete; emotional integration needs restored statehood, jobs, security and continued democratic engagement.
Written by Minimalist IAS from facts checked at source (how we verify) — a little fuller than exam length, so every part of the question is covered; in the hall, keep the structure and trim the detail. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.