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13 July 2026

Jammu and Kashmir statehood and political developments

The topic involves a critical analysis of the DDC framework in J&K in relation to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts and the principles of federalism and local governance, which are core themes for GS2.

2 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) political discourse currently centers on the demand for the restoration of full statehood as promised by the Union government.
  • The District Development Council (DDC) framework was introduced in 2021 as a mechanism for local governance in J&K, completing a five-year term in February 2026.
  • The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts mandate a three-tier structure for rural and urban local bodies, including Gram Panchayats, Block Development Councils, and Zila Parishads.
  • Article 243ZD of the Constitution provides for District Planning Committees (DPCs) to integrate development plans from panchayats and municipalities into a comprehensive district-level plan.
  • Critics argue the DDC model functions as a parallel administrative authority that bypasses existing local government institutions and centralizes bureaucratic control, contrasting with the bottom-up approach of DPCs.
  • Concerns exist regarding the DDC structure's lack of population-based seat allocation, leading to unequal political representation across districts.
  • Recent administrative actions include the arrest of publishers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for distributing books deemed 'pro-separatist' within educational institutions.
  • The School and Higher Education Departments in J&K are implementing new frameworks to regulate the evaluation and circulation of educational resources.

Questions

  1. Examine the constitutional distinction between District Planning Committees (DPCs) as envisaged under the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts and the District Development Council (DDC) model in Jammu and Kashmir. How does the latter impact the principles of democratic decentralization? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
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  2. Discuss the challenges of implementing uniform local governance structures in regions with unique administrative histories. In the context of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, analyze the importance of bottom-up planning mechanisms in ensuring effective grassroots democracy. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the constitution of District Planning Committees (DPCs)?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-13/jammu-and-kashmir-statehood-and-political-developments