north India
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory of India in the western Himalaya, with Srinagar and Jammu sharing capital roles. It is central to UPSC study of Himalayan geography, Kashmir Valley, Jammu region, borderland governance, Article 370 and reorganisation, federalism, tourism, horticulture, handicrafts, hydropower, wetlands, displacement, disaster management, and plural cultural traditions.
Capital
Srinagar / Jammu
Population
1.23 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
42,241 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
67.2%
Census of India 2011
Districts
20
State Profile
Jammu and Kashmir overview
Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory of India in the western Himalaya. Srinagar is the summer capital and Jammu is the winter capital and traditional Darbar Move centre. The Union Territory has a Legislative Assembly framework under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, and shares the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh with Ladakh.
Capital
Srinagar / Jammu
Region
north
Population
1.23 Cr
Census of India 2011
Area
42,241 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Srinagar / Jammu
- Largest city
- Srinagar
- Region
- north
- Population
- 1.23 CrCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 42,241 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Horticulture, Tourism, Handicrafts, Agriculture
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- It is one of the most important Indian regions for UPSC study of Himalayan geography, the Kashmir Valley, the Pir Panjal, the Chenab valley, borderland governance, federalism, Article 370, and the 2019 reorganisation.
- Its economy and society connect horticulture, saffron, tourism, pilgrimage management, handicrafts, hydropower, pastoralism, government services, youth employment, and regional development.
- Its environment is a high-value case study for wetlands, Jhelum floods, glacial and snow-fed rivers, landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, forest fires, climate change, and sustainable tourism.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory of India.
- It became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
- Ladakh was separated from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and became a separate Union Territory on the same date.
- Jammu and Kashmir has a Legislative Assembly framework under the reorganisation law.
- Srinagar is the summer capital; Jammu is the winter capital and traditional Darbar Move centre.
- The common High Court is the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with wings at Srinagar and Jammu, serving Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Official languages include Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, and English.
- Major physical regions include the Kashmir Valley, Jammu plains and hills, Pir Panjal range, Chenab valley, Tawi basin, and parts of the Greater Himalaya.
- Important places include Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Baramulla, Sopore, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Kupwara, Bandipora, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Verinag, Katra, Patnitop, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Bhaderwah, and Akhnoor.