CBSE Class 12 · Regional Aspirations

Jammu and Kashmir: Region, Special Status and Politics Since 1948 (Class 12 Political Science)

Updated 16 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Jammu and Kashmir has three regions: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Its ruler Hari Singh hoped for independence, but after the tribal invasion of October 1947 the state acceded to India. Article 370 gave special status, politics was disturbed from 1953, insurgency began by 1989, and on 5 August 2019 Article 370 was abolished and two Union Territories created.

Notice the order: accession in 1947, disturbed politics from 1953, insurgency by 1989, then Article 370 abolished in 2019; the state has three regions.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Jammu and Kashmir

Why this topic matters. Regional Aspirations carries 6 of the 80 theory marks, and Jammu and Kashmir is its most questioned section: roots, special status, politics since 1948, and the 2019 changes. NCERT sections: 'Jammu and Kashmir' (roots of the problem, external and internal disputes, politics since 1948, insurgency and after, 2002 and beyond), plus the 2026-27 syllabus note on 'The Kashmir Issue'. The wording here is neutral and attributes each position.

1. Three regions.

Region	Features
Jammu	A mix of foothills and plains; predominantly Hindu, with Muslims, Sikhs and others
Kashmir	Mainly the Kashmir valley; mostly Kashmiri Muslims, with Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and others
Ladakh	Mainly mountainous; very little population, almost equally Buddhists and Muslims

2. Roots of the problem.

Before 1947 J&K was a Princely State. Maharaja Hari Singh wanted independent status. Pakistani leaders thought that, as most people were Muslim, Kashmir 'belonged' to Pakistan. But the people thought of themselves as Kashmiris above all: Kashmiriyat.
A popular movement led by Sheikh Abdullah of the National Conference, a secular organisation with ties to the Congress, wanted to end the Maharaja's rule but opposed joining Pakistan.
In October 1947 Pakistan sent tribal infiltrators; the Maharaja sought Indian military help; India drove them back after the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession. As Pakistan still controlled a large part, the issue went to the UN, whose resolution of 21 April 1948 proposed three steps: Pakistan withdraws, India progressively reduces forces, and a free and impartial plebiscite. No progress followed. Sheikh Abdullah became Prime Minister of the State in March 1948 and India agreed to provisional autonomy under Article 370.

3. External and internal disputes.

External: Pakistan has always claimed the valley. The part under Pakistani control is, in the textbook's words, Indian territory under illegal occupation, called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).
Internal: the special status produced two opposite reactions. Some outside the State felt Article 370 stopped full integration and should be revoked. Many Kashmiris felt it was not enough: the promise to refer accession to the people had not been fulfilled (demand for a plebiscite); the special federal status had been eroded (demand for Greater State Autonomy); and democracy had not been institutionalised in the State as elsewhere.
Syllabus note on special status: the 2026-27 syllabus note says that Articles 370 and 35A gave the State a separate Constitution, Constituent Assembly and flag; the head of government was called Prime Minister and the Governor Sadr-e-Riyasat; most Union laws were not enforced; and Article 35A gave special citizenship rights that barred non-Kashmiris from buying property. The note records a call for the abrogation of the two provisions, and that some described them as 'constitutionally recognised separatism'; it says the 2019 Bill was presented against this backdrop.

4. Politics since 1948.

Period	Developments
1948-53	Sheikh Abdullah started land reforms; differences with the Centre over Kashmir's status; dismissed in 1953 and detained for years
1953-74	Successors ruled mainly with the Centre's support; allegations of malpractice and rigging; the Congress gained direct control. In 1965 the title Prime Minister became Chief Minister; G.M. Sadiq was the first CM
1974-77	Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Abdullah agreement; he became CM; his revived NC won a majority in 1977
1982-86	Abdullah died in 1982; Farooq Abdullah became CM but was dismissed by the Governor, causing resentment; the NC-Congress alliance of 1986 deepened the feeling of Central intervention
1987-89	The 1987 election gave the NC-Congress alliance a big win, but it was widely believed to be rigged; by 1989 the State was in the grip of a militant movement with Pakistan's support
1990-96	Violence by insurgents and army action; President's rule; Assembly elections only in 1996

5. 2002 and beyond.

2002: NC lost its majority; a PDP-Congress coalition formed. Mufti Mohammed led for three years, then Ghulam Nabi Azad; President's rule from July 2008.
Nov-Dec 2008 elections; NC-Congress coalition under Omar Abdullah in 2009; disturbances led by the Hurriyat Conference.
2014: the highest turnout in 25 years; PDP-BJP coalition under Mufti Mohammed Sayeed; after his death Mahbooba Mufti became the first woman Chief Minister (April 2016); President's rule in June 2018 after the BJP withdrew its support.
2019 (NCERT): "On 5 August 2019, Article 370 was abolished by the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019" and the State was constituted into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
2019 (syllabus note): the Reorganisation Bill was presented in the Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2019, passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 August, and received the President's assent on 9 August (the Gazette of India publishes the Act as No. 34 of 2019, assented on 9 August 2019). Use NCERT's date for the abolition and the syllabus dates for the stages of the Bill. NCERT calls J&K and Ladakh living examples of a plural society, with divergent political and developmental aspirations.

Key quotations

Short lines worth knowing by heart: who says them, when, and why they matter.

Kashmiriyat
NCERT, Politics in India since Independence, Chapter 7: The regional identity by which Kashmiris saw themselves above all in 1947.
Explains why the people opposed joining Pakistan.
Greater State Autonomy
NCERT, Politics in India since Independence, Chapter 7: The demand of those who felt that the special status had been eroded.
One of three grievances about Article 370.

Jammu and Kashmir: key facts

Regions: Jammu foothills and plains, mainly Hindu
Kashmir valley, mostly Muslim
Ladakh mountainous, Buddhists and Muslims almost equal; Basis of multiple aspirations.
Early dates: October 1947 tribal infiltrators and Instrument of Accession
21 April 1948 UN resolution
March 1948 Abdullah PM
1953 Abdullah dismissed
1965 PM becomes CM; Order for arrange questions.
Later dates: 1974 accord
1977 NC majority
1982 Abdullah dies
1987 election
1989 militancy
1996 election
2002 PDP-Congress
2008 President's rule
2014 record turnout
2016 Mahbooba Mufti
2018 President's rule
5 August 2019 Article 370 abolished; Politics since 1948.
2019 sequence (syllabus): Rajya Sabha 5 August
Lok Sabha 6 August
President's assent 9 August
Two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; Articles 370 and 35A.

Jammu	foothills and plains, mainly Hindu
Kashmir	valley, mostly Muslim
Ladakh	mountainous, Buddhists and Muslims almost equal

1974	accord
1977	NC majority
1982	Abdullah dies
1987	election
1989	militancy
1996	election
2002	PDP-Congress
2008	President's rule
2014	record turnout
2016	Mahbooba Mufti
2018	President's rule
	5 August 2019 Article 370 abolished

How to answer Jammu and Kashmir questions

J&K questions are best answered in three layers: roots (1947), the special status debate, and the later political events. Give dates and keep a neutral tone.

1Roots: Hari Singh's wish for independence, Kashmiriyat, the National Conference, tribal infiltrators, the Instrument of Accession.
2Disputes: external (Pakistan, POJK) and internal (three grievances about autonomy).
3Politics: 1953 dismissal, 1965 designation, 1974 accord, 1982-87 crisis, 1989 militancy.
4Recent events: coalition governments, President's rule, 2014 turnout, 5 August 2019.
5For special status, state what Article 370 and 35A provided before saying anything about reactions.
6Attribute each view to its holders; do not support or oppose any of them.

Jammu and Kashmir in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Help on condition of accession

A house is attacked by raiders and its owner asks a big neighbouring estate for help. The estate sends guards and drives the raiders away, but only after the owner has signed papers joining the estate.

Which events of October 1947 does this resemble? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The raiders resemble the tribal infiltrators sent from Pakistan in October 1947.
The owner's request resembles Maharaja Hari Singh asking India for military help.
The papers resemble the Instrument of Accession, signed before India drove back the infiltrators.

Answer: It resembles October 1947, when Pakistan sent tribal infiltrators to capture Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh asked for Indian military help. India drove the infiltrators back from the Kashmir valley, but only after the Maharaja had signed the Instrument of Accession with the Government of India.

Memory hook: Sign first, help follows.

A rotating coalition agreement

Two groups that together win the class council agree that one group's leader will be head for the first part of the term and the other group's leader after that. The second leader cannot finish the term because the principal suspends the council.

Which arrangement in Jammu and Kashmir after 2002 does this resemble? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Two groups sharing the council resemble the PDP-Congress coalition formed after the 2002 election.
As per the coalition agreement, Mufti Mohammed headed the government for the first three years.
He was succeeded by Ghulam Nabi Azad, who could not complete the term because President's rule was imposed in July 2008.

Answer: It resembles the coalition of the People's Democratic Party and the Congress formed after the 2002 election. As per the coalition agreement, Mufti Mohammed headed the government for the first three years and was succeeded by Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, who could not complete the term as President's rule was imposed in July 2008.

Memory hook: Three years each way, cut short in 2008.

Tricks to remember Jammu and Kashmir

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

J-K-L
Jammu foothills and plains, Kashmir valley, Ladakh mountains.
Use it when: Three regions.
47-48-53-65
Accession 1947, UN resolution 1948, Abdullah dismissed 1953, CM title 1965.
Use it when: Early timeline.
Plebiscite, Autonomy, Democracy
Three grievances: plebiscite promise, Greater State Autonomy, democracy not institutionalised.
Use it when: Internal dispute.

Jammu and Kashmir: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: The mountainous region · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Which region of Jammu and Kashmir is mainly mountainous, has very little population, and has Buddhists and Muslims in almost equal numbers?
(a) Jammu
(b) Kashmir valley
(c) Ladakh
(d) Poonch

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT describes Ladakh as mainly mountainous, with a small population almost equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims (1 mark).

Answer: (c) Ladakh

Example 2: A dismissal and its effect · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

What was the effect in Kashmir of the dismissal of Farooq Abdullah's government and the National Conference-Congress alliance of 1986? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Effect of the dismissal (1 mark).
Effect of the alliance (1 mark).

Answer: The dismissal, due to the intervention of the Centre, generated a feeling of resentment in Kashmir and set back the confidence that Kashmiris had developed in democratic processes after the accord between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah. The feeling that the Centre was intervening in the State's politics was further strengthened when the National Conference agreed in 1986 to an electoral alliance with the Congress, the ruling party at the Centre.

Example 3: Assertion and reason: the 1987 election · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The 1987 Assembly election contributed to a political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reason (R): It was widely believed that the results did not reflect popular choice and that the election process was rigged.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT links the widespread belief about rigging with the crisis that grew with insurgency (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 4: The Centre and the State, 1953-1974 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Describe the developments in Jammu and Kashmir between 1953 and 1974 and the role of the Centre in them. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Dismissal of Abdullah (1 mark).
The leadership that followed (1 mark).
Congress control and the 1965 change (1 mark).
The 1974 agreement (1 mark).

Answer: Sheikh Abdullah, who had started land reforms, differed with the Centre on Kashmir's status; he was dismissed in 1953 and kept in detention for years. The leadership that succeeded him did not enjoy as much popular support and ruled mainly with the support of the Centre; there were serious allegations of malpractices and rigging in elections. The Congress exercised influence on State politics between 1953 and 1974, a truncated National Conference merged with it, and the Congress gained direct control. In 1965 the Prime Minister of the State was redesignated Chief Minister, and G. M. Sadiq of the Congress became the first Chief Minister. In 1974 Indira Gandhi reached an agreement with Sheikh Abdullah, who became Chief Minister.

Example 5: Source-based: special status · 4 marks · Source-basedHarder board level

Read the passage (based on the 2026-27 syllabus note) and choose the most appropriate answer for each question.

Jammu and Kashmir was given a special status under Article 370 and Article 35A. The former gave it special powers such as a separate Constitution, Constituent Assembly and flag, the title of Prime Minister for the Chief Minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat for the Governor, and non-enforcement of most Union laws. The latter gave special citizenship rights, prohibiting non-Kashmiris from buying property in the State. On 5 August 2019 the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill was presented in the Rajya Sabha; the Lok Sabha passed it on 6 August, and after the President's assent on 9 August the State was divided into two Union Territories.

(i) Which provision restricted property purchase by non-Kashmiris?
(A) Article 370 (B) Article 35A (C) Article 356 (D) Article 51
(ii) According to the passage, the head of the State under the special arrangement was called:
(A) Governor (B) Lieutenant Governor (C) Sadr-e-Riyasat (D) Chief Minister
(iii) The Reorganisation Bill was first presented in:
(A) the Lok Sabha (B) the Rajya Sabha (C) the Supreme Court (D) the Constituent Assembly
(iv) Under the Act, the State became:
(A) one Union Territory (B) two States (C) two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh (D) three Union Territories

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) (B) (1 mark).
(ii) (C) (1 mark).
(iii) (B) (1 mark).
(iv) (C) (1 mark).

Answer: (i) (B) Article 35A; (ii) (C) Sadr-e-Riyasat; (iii) (B) the Rajya Sabha; (iv) (C) two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Example 6: Long answer: democracy in Jammu and Kashmir · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

"Democratic institutions were not allowed to take root in Jammu and Kashmir between 1953 and 1989." Evaluate the statement using evidence for and against. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Evidence for (2 marks).
Evidence against (2 marks).
Judgement (2 marks).

Answer: Evidence for the statement is considerable. Sheikh Abdullah was dismissed in 1953 and detained. The leadership that followed lacked popular support and ruled mainly with the Centre's backing, and there were serious allegations of malpractice and rigging in elections. When Sheikh Abdullah died in 1982, his son Farooq Abdullah became Chief Minister but was dismissed by the Governor, which caused resentment, and the National Conference's alliance with the ruling Congress in 1986 strengthened the feeling of Central intervention. The 1987 election was widely believed to have been rigged, adding to the sense that democratic processes were being undermined, and by 1989 the State was in the grip of militancy.

There is also evidence against. In 1965 the State's Prime Minister was redesignated Chief Minister, bringing it closer to the pattern of the rest of the country; an agreement in 1974 between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah restored an elected National Conference government that won a majority in 1977; and Kashmiris developed confidence in democratic processes after that accord. Elections did take place, and political parties contested them.

On balance, the claim is right about the repeated Centre-backed interventions and doubts about elections, but not entirely, as periods such as 1974-77 show real popular politics. NCERT links the crisis of the 1980s to the loss of confidence in democratic processes, and records that Assembly elections were held again in 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014.

Where students lose marks in Jammu and Kashmir

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Writing that the Maharaja wanted to join Pakistan
Pakistan's claim is confused with the Maharaja's wish.
Wrong working
Hari Singh wanted to join Pakistan.
Right working
He wanted independent status; Pakistani leaders claimed the region because most people were Muslim.
Do this: Say "independent status".
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Calling Sheikh Abdullah a Chief Minister in 1948
The title was Prime Minister until 1965.
Wrong working
Sheikh Abdullah became Chief Minister in 1948.
Right working
He became Prime Minister of the State in March 1948; the post was redesignated Chief Minister in 1965.
Do this: PM before 1965, CM after.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Taking sides on Article 370
The question asks for facts and arguments.
Wrong working
Article 370 was wrong and had to go.
Right working
Some felt it prevented full integration; many Kashmiris felt the autonomy was not enough; the Act of 5 August 2019 abolished it.
Do this: Attribute each view to its holders.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: Mixing up the 2019 dates
NCERT and the syllabus note give different stages.
Wrong working
The Lok Sabha passed the Reorganisation Bill on 5 August 2019 and the Rajya Sabha on 9 August.
Right working
Syllabus note: Rajya Sabha 5 August, Lok Sabha 6 August, President's assent 9 August 2019. NCERT: Article 370 was abolished on 5 August 2019 by the Reorganisation Act.
Do this: Name your source: NCERT's date for the abolition, the syllabus dates for the Bill.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Asked in: 2023 board paper 59/4/3 Q20 (4 marks, four effects of the abrogation of Article 370) and 59/4/2 Q20 (4 marks, two developments of recent years in J&K); 2026 board paper 59/3/2 Q30(b) (6 marks, why J&K was constituted into two Union Territories) and 59/4/2 Q29(a) (6 marks, three reasons of the Kashmir problem); 2024 board paper 59/2/1 Q7 (1 mark, party that came to power in 1952). Answers here are our own.
Always list the three regions of the State with one fact for each.
Quote the three grievances of Kashmiris: plebiscite, Greater State Autonomy, democracy.
Know the three stages of the 2019 Bill and the name of the Act.
Use neutral wording; attribute positions.

Practice questions on Jammu and Kashmir

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
In which year did Jammu and Kashmir record its highest voters' turnout in 25 years in an Assembly election?
(a) 2002
(b) 2008
(c) 2014
(d) 2018
Hint
PDP-BJP coalition followed.
Answer
(c) 2014
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level
According to the syllabus note, name any two features of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Articles 370 and 35A. (2 marks)
Hint
Constitution, flag, titles, Union laws, citizenship rights.
Answer
Any two: a separate Constitution, Constituent Assembly and flag; the Chief Minister called Prime Minister and the Governor called Sadr-e-Riyasat; non-enforcement of most of the Union laws in the State; special citizenship rights under Article 35A that prohibited non-Kashmiris from buying property.
Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Why did relations between Sheikh Abdullah and the Government of India become strained, and what happened in 1953? (2 marks)
Hint
Position on Kashmir's status; dismissal.
Answer
After taking over as Prime Minister of the State, Sheikh Abdullah initiated land reforms and other policies that benefited ordinary people, but a difference grew between him and the central government over his position on Kashmir's status. He was dismissed in 1953 and kept in detention for a number of years.
Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election of 2014 recorded the highest voters' turnout in 25 years.
Reason (R): A coalition of the PDP with the BJP as its partner came to power after that election.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Hint
Does the coalition explain the turnout?
Answer
(b) Both are true, but R describes what followed the election ("consequently", in NCERT's words) and does not explain why the turnout was high.
Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Explain the external dimension of the Kashmir dispute, from the events of October 1947 to the position of Pakistan today as described in NCERT. (4 marks)
Hint
Tribal infiltrators, accession, UN, POJK, Pakistan's claim.
Answer
In October 1947 Pakistan sent tribal infiltrators to capture Kashmir, which forced the Maharaja to ask for Indian military help. India drove back the infiltrators from the valley, but only after the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession. As Pakistan continued to control a sizeable part of the State, the issue was taken to the United Nations, whose resolution of 21 April 1948 proposed that Pakistan withdraw, India progressively reduce its forces and a plebiscite be held; no progress followed. Externally, Pakistan has always claimed that the Kashmir valley should be part of Pakistan. NCERT describes the Indian territory under Pakistani control as under illegal occupation, called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir has remained a major issue of conflict between India and Pakistan since 1947.
Q6 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Elections in a region are believed by many to have been unfair, and an armed movement follows. Using the experience of Jammu and Kashmir in 1987-1989 and the lessons of the chapter, advise what a federal democracy should do to restore trust. (4 marks)
Hint
Negotiation, power sharing, democratic institutions.
Answer
In Jammu and Kashmir the belief that the 1987 election was rigged, together with resentment against the administration and the feeling that the Centre was undermining democratic processes, produced a political crisis that became severe with insurgency by 1989. NCERT's lessons suggest that a federal democracy should treat such movements not simply as law and order problems but through democratic negotiation; give groups and parties from the region a share in power and in national decisions; ensure that democratic institutions and fair elections work in the region; and address its sense of regional discrimination. NCERT also records that the 2014 Assembly election had the highest voters' turnout in 25 years.
Q7 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Trace the electoral and political developments in Jammu and Kashmir from 1996 to 2018, showing how coalition governments and President's rule alternated. (6 marks)
Hint
1996, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2018.
Answer
After years of violence and President's rule, Assembly elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir only in 1996, and the National Conference led by Farooq Abdullah came to power with a demand for regional autonomy. In 2002 the National Conference failed to win a majority and a coalition government of the People's Democratic Party and the Congress took over. As per the coalition agreement, Mufti Mohammed headed it for three years and was succeeded by Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, who could not complete the term as President's rule was imposed in July 2008.
The next election was held in November-December 2008, and another coalition government, of the National Conference and the Congress, came to power in 2009 under Omar Abdullah, though disturbances led by the Hurriyat Conference continued. In 2014 the State went to another election, which recorded the highest voters' turnout in 25 years; a coalition of the PDP led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed with the BJP as partner came to power. After his death, his daughter Mahbooba Mufti became the first woman Chief Minister in April 2016. During her tenure, NCERT notes major acts of terrorism and mounting tensions, and President's rule was imposed in June 2018 after the BJP withdrew its support.
The period thus shows coalitions of different parties formed after each election and repeated interruptions by President's rule, a pattern that ended in 2019 with the abolition of Article 370 and the creation of two Union Territories.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.Which two parties formed the coalition after the 2002 election?Show answer
The PDP and the Congress.
2.Who was the first Chief Minister after the 1965 change of title?Show answer
Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq of the Congress.
3.In which year did Sheikh Abdullah die?Show answer
1982.
4.In which month and year did President's rule begin in J&K in 2018?Show answer
June 2018.
5.In which year did the National Conference return to power with a demand for regional autonomy?Show answer
1996.
6.Which Union Territory was created in 2019 besides Jammu and Kashmir?Show answer
Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir: frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 abolition of Article 370 in the syllabus?

Yes. The current NCERT text states it and the syllabus note on the Kashmir issue describes the Reorganisation Bill and its passage.

What does NCERT call the part of the State under Pakistan's control?

NCERT says it is Indian territory under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK).

Why is Article 35A mentioned if the NCERT text names only Article 370?

Because the 2026-27 syllabus note on the Kashmir issue describes both Articles 370 and 35A.

Why is the Kashmir valley called a dispute with external and internal sides?

Externally Pakistan claims the valley; internally there is a dispute about the State's status within the Indian Union.