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J&K Reorganization Act, 2019
Complete Exam Guide + PYQs

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Act No. 34 of 2019 103 Sections 14 Parts 5 Schedules Effective: 31 Oct 2019

2 UTs Formed

103 Total Sections

106 Central Laws Extended

153 State Laws Repealed

107 J&K Assembly Seats

6 Lok Sabha Seats

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1. Historical Background

The J&K Reorganization Act, 2019 (Act No. 34 of 2019) is a landmark legislation that bifurcated the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. It was enacted in the 70th year of the Republic of India.

October 26, 1947

Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh; J&K accedes to India.

1950

Article 370 inserted in the Constitution, granting special status to J&K.

May 14, 1954

Presidential Order (C.O. 48) applying Article 35A — restricting land/property purchase by non-domiciles.

August 5, 2019

Presidential Order C.O. 272 — Article 370 effectively abrogated. J&K Reorganization Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah.

August 6, 2019

Rajya Sabha passed the Bill (125–61 votes).

August 6, 2019

Lok Sabha passed the Bill (370–70 votes).

August 9, 2019

Presidential Assent received — Act No. 34 of 2019.

October 31, 2019

Appointed Day — Act came into force. Two new UTs officially came into existence (also the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel).

December 11, 2023

Supreme Court upheld abrogation of Article 370 unanimously (5-judge bench).

⚡ Exam Trick The Act was introduced in Rajya Sabha, not Lok Sabha — this is a commonly tested fact. Also, the "Appointed Day" is October 31, 2019.

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2. Structure of the Act

The Act has 14 Parts, 103 Sections, and 5 Schedules. Below is the complete part-wise structure:

Part I

Preliminary (Definitions)

Part II

Reorganisation of State of J&K (Sec. 3–8)

Part III

Representation in Legislatures (Sec. 9–13)

Part IV

Administration of UT of Ladakh

Part V

Delimitation of Constituencies

Part VI

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Part VII

Miscellaneous & Transitional Provisions

Part VIII

High Court

Part IX

Advocate-General of UT of J&K

Part X

Authorisation of Expenditure & Revenue Distribution

Part XI

Apportionment of Assets & Liabilities

Part XII

Provisions as to Corporations

Part XIII

Provisions as to Services (Civil Services)

Part XIV

Legal & Miscellaneous Provisions

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3. The Two Union Territories

🗳 UT of Jammu & Kashmir

• Formed under Section 4 of the Act
• Has a Legislative Assembly (like Puducherry)
• Governed under Article 239A
• Administrator designated as Lieutenant Governor (appointed under Article 239)
• Legislative Assembly seats: 107 total (83 + 24 reserved for POK)
• Council of Ministers: max 10% of assembly strength
• Lok Sabha seats: 5
• Rajya Sabha seats: 4
• Constituencies: Includes districts other than Leh and Kargil
• Common High Court: High Court of J&K

🏔 UT of Ladakh

• Formed under Section 3 of the Act
• No Legislative Assembly (like Chandigarh)
• Governed under Article 239
• Administrator designated as Lieutenant Governor
• Comprises districts of Leh and Kargil only
• No Council of Ministers
• Lok Sabha seats: 1
• Rajya Sabha seats: 0
• President can make regulations under Article 240
• Common High Court: High Court of J&K

📌 Constitutional Analogy — High Frequency PYQ Topic UT of J&K is similar to Puducherry (with legislature, Article 239A | governed by 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962). UT of Ladakh is similar to Chandigarh (without legislature, Article 239).

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4. Most Important Sections (Exam-Wise)

Section	Provision	Exam Importance
3	Formation of UT of Ladakh (without Legislature) — Leh & Kargil districts	⭐⭐⭐
4	Formation of UT of J&K (with Legislature)	⭐⭐⭐
5	Governor of J&K designated as LG of both UTs	⭐⭐
6	Amendment of First Schedule of the Constitution	⭐⭐
9	Rajya Sabha — 4 seats for J&K UT	⭐⭐⭐
10	Lok Sabha — 5 seats (J&K UT) + 1 seat (Ladakh UT)	⭐⭐⭐
13	Article 239A applied to J&K UT (Puducherry model)	⭐⭐⭐
14	Legislative Assembly for J&K UT — 107 total seats	⭐⭐⭐
15	Duration of Legislative Assembly — 5 years	⭐⭐
16	Qualification for membership of Legislative Assembly — Age 25 years	⭐⭐⭐
26	Bar to dual membership (Parliament + J&K Assembly)	⭐⭐
30	Council of Ministers — collectively responsible to Legislative Assembly	⭐⭐⭐
54	Council of Ministers — not more than 10% of total assembly seats	⭐⭐⭐
55	Powers and functions of the Lieutenant Governor	⭐⭐
56	Duties of Chief Minister to furnish information to LG	⭐⭐⭐
57	Abolition of Legislative Council of erstwhile State of J&K	⭐⭐⭐
58	President's power to make regulations for Ladakh UT (under Art. 240)	⭐⭐⭐
67	Consolidated Fund of UT of J&K	⭐⭐
73	Provisions for dissolution of J&K Assembly	⭐⭐
93	State Public Service Commission provisions	⭐⭐⭐
96	Bar Council of J&K and Ladakh	⭐

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5. Quick Reference — Key Numbers & Facts

Act Number

Act No. 34 of 2019

Introduced by

Amit Shah (Rajya Sabha)

Appointed Day

31 October 2019

Total Sections

103 Sections

Total Parts

14 Parts

Total Schedules

5 Schedules

Central Laws Extended

106 Central Laws

State Laws Repealed

153 State Laws

State Laws Retained

166 State Laws (7 amended)

J&K Assembly Seats

107 (83 + 24 for POK)

Council of Ministers

Max 10% of assembly

Min. Age for MLA

25 Years

LS Seats — J&K UT

5 Seats

LS Seats — Ladakh

1 Seat

RS Seats — J&K UT

4 Seats

RS Seats — Ladakh

0 Seats

Ladakh Districts

Leh + Kargil

High Court (Common)

HC of J&K (for both UTs)

⛔ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ladakh has NO Rajya Sabha seats and NO Legislative Assembly
• Article 370 was NOT part of this Act; it was abrogated via Presidential Order C.O. 272
• The Act superseded the 1954 Presidential Order (Article 35A), not Article 370 directly
• The bill was first introduced in Rajya Sabha, not Lok Sabha
• 24 seats in J&K assembly are kept vacant (not reserved for SC/ST) — they are for POK

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6. Related Constitutional Articles

Article	Relevance to J&K Reorganization Act
Article 3	Empowers Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, change names — constitutional basis for bifurcation
Article 239	Administration of Union Territories — applies to Ladakh (LG as administrator)
Article 239A	Creation of local legislatures for UTs — applies to J&K UT (like Puducherry); inserted by 14th Amendment Act, 1962
Article 240	Power of President to make regulations for certain UTs — applies to Ladakh
Article 370	Gave special status to J&K; effectively abrogated on Aug 5, 2019 via C.O. 272
Article 35A	Gave J&K legislature power to define permanent residents; removed via 1954 Presidential Order being superseded
Article 370(3)	Allows President to declare Article 370 ceases to operate — used for abrogation

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7. Notable Central Laws Extended to J&K

106 Central Laws — Key Examples

• Right to Education Act, 2009 — fundamental right to education now applicable
• Aadhaar Act, 2016 — Aadhaar framework extended
• Indian Penal Code, 1860 — the J&K Ranbir Penal Code replaced
• Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — replaced J&K-specific CrPC
• Right to Information Act, 2005 — transparency norms applied
• Prevention of Corruption Act — anti-corruption provisions extended
• Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 — extended to J&K
• Consumer Protection Act — consumer rights applied uniformly

📌 Note on Land Rights One key change in the 7 amended state laws: the restriction on non-permanent residents purchasing land in J&K was lifted after reorganization. This was a historic change stemming from Article 35A.

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8. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

JKSSB Previous Year Questions 15 Questions

JKSSB FAA / Jr. Assistant Exam

Q1. Which section of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 deals with the abolition of the Legislative Council of the erstwhile state of J&K?

A)Section 45

B)Section 57 ✓

C)Section 73

D)Section 93

Explanation: Section 57 specifically abolishes the Legislative Council of the erstwhile State of J&K. The Council was a bicameral upper house.

JKSSB Panchayat Secretary Exam

Q2. When did the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 come into effect (Appointed Day)?

A)5 August 2019

B)9 August 2019

C)31 October 2019 ✓

D)26 January 2020

Explanation: October 31, 2019 is the "Appointed Day" — this is also the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Iron Man of India).

JKSSB Sub-Inspector Exam

Q3. What is the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of J&K as per the Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)83

B)90

C)107 ✓

D)111

Explanation: Section 14 provides 107 total seats — of which 83 are electable and 24 are kept vacant for Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).

JKSSB JE / Technical Exam

Q4. How many seats in the J&K Legislative Assembly are reserved/vacant for Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)?

A)20

B)24 ✓

C)30

D)18

Explanation: 24 seats remain vacant pending the return of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Out of 107 total seats, 83 are filled through elections.

JKSSB Accounts Assistant Exam

Q5. Which section of the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 deals with the Consolidated Fund of the UT of J&K?

A)Section 45

B)Section 60

C)Section 67 ✓

D)Section 80

Explanation: Section 67 deals with the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which includes revenues received, loans raised, and repayments.

JKSSB Patwari Exam

Q6. What is the minimum age for contesting elections to the Legislative Assembly of J&K UT?

A)18 years

B)21 years

C)25 years ✓

D)30 years

Explanation: Section 16 prescribes the minimum age for membership of the J&K Legislative Assembly as 25 years — same as for the Lok Sabha.

JKSSB Class IV / Multi-Tasking

Q7. Which common High Court serves both UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh as per the Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)High Court of Punjab & Haryana

B)High Court of Jammu & Kashmir ✓

C)Delhi High Court

D)High Court of Leh

Explanation: Part VIII of the Act provides for a common High Court for both UTs — the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir (also referred to as "High Court of J&K and Ladakh").

JKSSB Junior Assistant Exam

Q8. Under which article of the Constitution can the President make regulations for the peace and good government of UT of Ladakh?

A)Article 215

B)Article 239A

C)Article 239

D)Article 240 ✓

Explanation: Section 58(2) of the Act references Article 240 — which gives the President power to make regulations for certain UTs without legislature, like Ladakh.

JKSSB Depot Assistant / Forest Guard

Q9. Who is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the UT of J&K?

A)Speaker of the Assembly

B)Lieutenant Governor

C)Council of Ministers ✓

D)Chief Justice

Explanation: Section 30 — the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly, following the principle of collective responsibility.

JKSSB Stenographer Exam

Q10. Which section of J&K Reorganisation Act deals with 'Provisions as to State Public Service Commission'?

A)Section 12

B)Section 74

C)Section 93 ✓

D)Section 70

Explanation: Section 93 deals with the State Public Service Commission — highly relevant for JKSSB/JKPSC aspirants as it governs the JKPSC framework after reorganization.

JKSSB Inspector / SI Exam

Q11. 'Duties of Chief Minister as respects furnishing of information to the Lieutenant Governor' is discussed in which section of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)Section 21

B)Section 42

C)Section 56 ✓

D)Section 70

Explanation: Section 56 — the CM is duty-bound to furnish information to the LG regarding all decisions of Council of Ministers relating to administration of UT.

JKSSB Accounts / Finance Exam

Q12. Which part of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 contains provisions regarding services/civil servants?

A)Part X

B)Part XI

C)Part XIII ✓

D)Part XIV

Explanation: Part XIII deals with "Provisions as to Services" — covering civil services, their allocation between the two UTs, and service conditions.

JKSSB JE Mechanical / Civil

Q13. The UT of J&K is governed under Article 239A of the Constitution, making it similar to which other UT?

A)Delhi

B)Chandigarh

C)Puducherry ✓

D)Andaman & Nicobar

Explanation: Article 239A was originally inserted for Puducherry (via the 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962). Section 13 of the Act extends this to J&K UT.

JKSSB Naib Tehsildar / Patwari

Q14. As per Section 54 of J&K Reorganisation Act, the Council of Ministers in J&K UT shall not exceed _______ of the total members of the Legislative Assembly.

A)15%

B)10% ✓

C)20%

D)12%

Explanation: Section 54 caps the Council of Ministers at not more than 10% of total assembly seats. With 107 seats, this means a maximum of ~10–11 ministers including the Chief Minister.

JKSSB Multi Post Exam

Q15. Which sections of J&K Reorganisation Act specifically form UT of Ladakh and UT of J&K respectively?

A)Section 4 and Section 3

B)Section 3 (Ladakh) and Section 4 (J&K) ✓

C)Section 2 and Section 5

D)Section 5 and Section 6

Explanation: Section 3 — Formation of UT of Ladakh (without legislature). Section 4 — Formation of UT of J&K (with legislature).

JKPSC Previous Year Questions 8 Questions

JKPSC CCE Prelims

Q1. The J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 was enacted in the _______ year of the Republic of India.

A)65th

B)68th

C)70th ✓

D)72nd

Explanation: The Act's preamble states it was enacted "in the Seventieth Year of the Republic of India" — India became a republic on January 26, 1950, and 2019 marks the 70th year.

JKPSC CCE Prelims

Q2. Which article of the Indian Constitution forms the constitutional basis for Parliament to form new states or alter the territories of existing states?

A)Article 3 ✓

B)Article 2

C)Article 4

D)Article 370

Explanation: Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new states by separation of UT/uniting two or more states, alter boundaries, or rename. It was the constitutional basis for bifurcating J&K.

JKPSC KAS / CCE Mains

Q3. The J&K Reorganisation Bill, 2019 was first introduced in which house of Parliament?

A)Rajya Sabha ✓

B)Lok Sabha

C)J&K State Legislature

D)Joint Session

Explanation: Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Reorganisation Bill in Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019. It was passed by RS and then by LS on August 6, 2019.

JKPSC CCE Prelims 2022

Q4. How many central laws were extended to the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh through the Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)84

B)95

C)106 ✓

D)153

Explanation: 106 central laws were extended. Additionally, 153 state laws were repealed and 166 continued with 7 amendments. "153" is the repealed count — a common distractor.

JKPSC Lecturer / PTI Exam

Q5. Which districts were included in the UT of Ladakh as per the Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)Kupwara and Baramulla

B)Leh and Kargil ✓

C)Doda and Kishtwar

D)Poonch and Rajouri

Explanation: Section 3 — UT of Ladakh comprises only the districts of Leh and Kargil. All remaining districts form part of UT of J&K.

JKPSC Assistant Registrar Exam

Q6. How many Rajya Sabha seats are allocated to the UT of Jammu & Kashmir?

A)2

B)3

C)4 ✓

D)6

Explanation: Section 9 — The UT of J&K is allocated 4 Rajya Sabha seats. Ladakh has no Rajya Sabha representation (as it has no Legislative Assembly).

JKPSC CCE Prelims

Q7. Article 35A which gave J&K legislature the power to define permanent residents was originally inserted via which Presidential Order?

A)C.O. 48 (1954) ✓

B)C.O. 100 (1960)

C)C.O. 272 (2019)

D)C.O. 11 (1950)

Explanation: Article 35A was inserted via the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 (C.O. 48), issued by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad on May 14, 1954.

JKPSC CCE Mains Essay / GS

Q8. The 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962, which created Puducherry's current governance model, is referenced in which section of J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)Section 9

B)Section 10

C)Section 13 ✓

D)Section 14

Explanation: Section 13 applies Article 239A of the Constitution to J&K UT — the same model applicable to Puducherry (created via the 14th Amendment, 1962).

UPSC / SSC / Other Exam Questions 7 Questions

UPSC UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements about the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019:
1. Ladakh UT has a Legislative Assembly
2. The common High Court for both UTs is the High Court of J&K
3. Article 239A applies to UT of J&K
4. Rajya Sabha has 0 seats for UT of Ladakh

Which of the above are correct?

A)1 and 2 only

B)1, 2 and 3 only

C)2, 3 and 4 only ✓

D)All four

Explanation: Statement 1 is wrong — Ladakh has no Legislative Assembly. Statements 2, 3, and 4 are all correct. Ladakh is managed directly by LG under Article 239.

UPSC UPSC CDS / NDA Exam

Q2. On which date did Jammu & Kashmir officially cease to be a state and become two Union Territories?

A)August 5, 2019

B)August 9, 2019

C)October 31, 2019 ✓

D)January 26, 2020

Explanation: October 31, 2019 is the "Appointed Day." August 5 = Presidential Order; August 9 = Presidential Assent to Act. The transformation happened on Oct 31.

UPSC UPSC CSE GS II

Q3. The J&K Reorganisation Act created a UT with legislature. Which existing UT did this new structure closely mirror?

A)Delhi (NCT)

B)Puducherry ✓

C)Chandigarh

D)Lakshadweep

Explanation: J&K UT mirrors Puducherry under Article 239A. Note: Delhi is an NCT governed under a special Article 239AA framework — not Article 239A.

SSC CGL SSC CGL 2020

Q4. How many Lok Sabha constituencies were there in the erstwhile state of J&K, and how were they distributed after the Reorganisation?

A)5 total (4 J&K + 1 Ladakh)

B)6 total (5 J&K UT + 1 Ladakh) ✓

C)7 total (6 J&K + 1 Ladakh)

D)4 total (3 J&K + 1 Ladakh)

Explanation: The erstwhile state had 6 Lok Sabha seats. After reorganization: 5 remain with J&K UT and 1 goes to Ladakh UT. Section 10 governs this.

SSC CHSL SSC CHSL 2021

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a correct fact about the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)Act comprises 103 sections

B)Ladakh has no Legislative Assembly

C)The bill was first introduced in Lok Sabha ✓ (This is WRONG)

D)J&K Assembly has 107 total seats

Explanation: Option C is incorrect — the bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha, not Lok Sabha. All other options are factually correct.

UPSC UPSC CSE Prelims 2022

Q6. With reference to J&K, which article was used as the constitutional basis for Article 35A being inserted into the Constitution in 1954?

A)Article 368

B)Article 370(1)(d) ✓

C)Article 239A

D)Article 3

Explanation: Article 35A was inserted through a Presidential Order under Article 370(1)(d), bypassing the normal constitutional amendment process under Article 368 — which was a key legal controversy.

JK Police JK Police Constable Exam

Q7. What was the total number of parts in J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019?

A)10

B)12

C)14 ✓

D)16

Explanation: The J&K Reorganisation Act has 14 Parts, 103 Sections, and 5 Schedules. This triad is frequently asked as a direct question.

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9. One-Liners & Fill-in-the-Blanks Practice

Key One-Liners for Quick Revision

• J&K Reorganisation Act is Act No. 34 of 2019.
• The Act has 103 sections, 14 parts, and 5 schedules.
• Introduced in Rajya Sabha by Amit Shah on August 5, 2019.
• Passed by Rajya Sabha: August 6, 2019; Lok Sabha: August 6, 2019.
• Presidential Assent: August 9, 2019; Appointed Day: October 31, 2019.
• UT of Ladakh formed under Section 3; UT of J&K under Section 4.
• J&K Legislative Assembly has 107 seats (83 + 24 for POK).
• Council of Ministers limited to 10% of total assembly seats.
• Minimum age for J&K MLA: 25 years (Section 16).
• J&K UT: governed under Article 239A (like Puducherry).
• Ladakh UT: governed under Article 239 (like Chandigarh), President's regulations under Article 240.
• J&K: 5 Lok Sabha + 4 Rajya Sabha; Ladakh: 1 Lok Sabha + 0 Rajya Sabha.
• Section 57 abolished J&K's Legislative Council.
• Section 56 — Chief Minister's duty to furnish information to LG.
• Section 93 — State Public Service Commission.
• Section 67 — Consolidated Fund of UT of J&K.
• 106 central laws extended; 153 state laws repealed; 166 state laws retained (7 amended).
• Common High Court for both UTs: High Court of J&K.
• Bar Council: renamed "Bar Council of J&K and Ladakh".
• Article 3 of Constitution: empowers Parliament to bifurcate states/UTs.

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