Understanding the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, marked a significant change in India’s administrative structure. This FAQ-style guide breaks down key facts and provisions of the Act with clear questions, answers, and explanations to improve understanding.
Key Dates and Structural Changes
Q1. When did the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 come into force?
Answer: (c) 31 October 2019
Explanation: The Act was passed by Parliament in August 2019. The appointed day for its implementation was 31 October 2019, when the state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories.
Q2. Which Union Territory was created without a legislature?
Answer: (b) Ladakh
Explanation: The Act created two UTs: Jammu & Kashmir (with a Legislative Assembly) and Ladakh (without a legislature, administered by a Lieutenant Governor).
Q24. How was the “appointed day” for the Act determined?
Answer: (c) A date notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette
Explanation: The Act specifies an “appointed day” to be notified by the Central Government; this was officially set as 31 October 2019.
Legislative and Parliamentary Representation
Q3. How many seats are in the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir UT?
Answer: (b) 107
Explanation: The Legislative Assembly comprises 107 seats. Of these, 24 are reserved for areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and remain vacant.
Q4. What happened to the Legislative Council of the erstwhile state?
Answer: (b) It was abolished
Explanation: The Act abolished the Legislative Council. Only a Legislative Assembly continues for the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
Q12. What is the term of the Jammu and Kashmir UT Legislative Assembly?
Answer: (b) 5 years
Explanation: The Legislative Assembly has a normal term of five years, unless dissolved earlier.
Q5 & Q16. How many Lok Sabha seats does Ladakh UT have?
Answer: (b) 1
Explanation: Ladakh UT constitutes a single parliamentary constituency.
Q6. How many Lok Sabha seats are allocated to Jammu and Kashmir UT?
Answer: (b) 5
Explanation: The UT has five parliamentary constituencies: Anantnag, Baramulla, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Jammu.
Q7 & Q23. What is Ladakh’s Rajya Sabha representation?
Answer: (c) 0 seats
Explanation: Ladakh, being a UT without a legislature, has no representation in the Rajya Sabha.
Q8 & Q22. How many Rajya Sabha seats does Jammu and Kashmir UT have?
Answer: (c) 4
Explanation: The UT retains four seats in the Rajya Sabha, the same as the erstwhile state.
Administration and Governance
Q9 & Q25. Which High Court serves both UTs?
Answer: (c) High Court of Jammu and Kashmir
Explanation: The existing High Court of Jammu and Kashmir continues as the common High Court for both Union Territories.
Q10. Who appoints the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh?
Answer: (a) The President of India
Explanation: As with all Union Territories, the Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the President of India.
Q18. Which statement correctly describes Ladakh UT?
Answer: (c) It has no legislative body and is administered by a Lieutenant Governor
Explanation: Ladakh is a UT without a legislature. Executive authority lies with the Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President.
Q17. Who holds the power to make laws on State List subjects for Jammu and Kashmir UT?
Answer: (c) Both Parliament and the Legislative Assembly (with Parliament having supremacy)
Explanation: Both Parliament and the UT Legislative Assembly can legislate on State List subjects, but Parliament’s laws prevail in case of conflict.
Q19. Which officials were continued from the erstwhile state?
Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: The Act ensured that existing officers like the Advocate General, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police continued until fresh appointments were made.
Specific Provisions and Features
Q11. Which provision was NOT introduced by the Act?
Answer: (c) Extension of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to Ladakh only
Explanation: The Act did not limit Supreme Court jurisdiction. The Supreme Court continues to have jurisdiction over all of India, including both UTs.
Q13. Which constitutional article was rendered inoperative on 5 August 2019?
Answer: (b) Article 370
Explanation: The Presidential Order of 5 August 2019 made all provisions of Article 370 inoperative, paving the way for the Reorganisation Act.
Q14 & Q15. What is true about assembly constituency seats in Jammu and Kashmir UT?
Answer: (c) 107 total seats, with 24 reserved for PoK areas.
Explanation: The Act provides for 107 assembly seats. Delimitation defines their boundaries. Out of these, 24 are earmarked for areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and remain vacant.
Q20. Which is NOT a feature of Jammu and Kashmir UT?
Answer: (b) It has a Legislative Council
Explanation: The Legislative Council was abolished. The UT has a Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister, and is administered by a Lieutenant Governor.
Q21. What is the responsibility of the Delimitation Commission under the Act?
Answer: (c) Delimiting both assembly and parliamentary constituencies
Explanation: The Commission delimits both assembly and parliamentary constituencies for the new Union Territories.
