2 October 2026
Indian Railways has raised the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section to 100 kmph, officials said.
Earlier, trains were permitted up to 85 kmph on the Katra-Sangaldan section and 75 kmph on the Sangaldan-Banihal section.
The Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26404) crossed the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, and the Anji Bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, at 100 kmph.
The section, in the Jammu division of Northern Railway, is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The Railway Ministry approved the increase after the prescribed safety conditions were complied with in August.
Section length:
111 km
Earlier speed limit:
85 kmph (Katra-Sangaldan); 75 kmph (Sangaldan-Banihal)
New speed limit:
100 kmph
Train:
Vande Bharat Express (26401/26404)
Why it matters for exams: USBRL, the Chenab Bridge and Kashmir's rail link are staple infrastructure questions in UPSC, SSC and PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
USBRL Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link — The rail project that connects the Kashmir Valley to the national rail network.
Cable-stayed bridge — A bridge whose deck is held up by cables fixed directly to one or more towers.
2 October 2026
The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) Policy 2026 after approval by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, an official spokesperson said on Friday.
The policy covers cattle dung, apple pomace, municipal solid waste, pine needles and crop residues as feedstock for clean automotive fuel and organic fertiliser.
Capital expenditure support is Rs 0.50 crore per TPD (tonnes per day), capped at Rs 10 crore per project; government land is offered at Rs 1 per square metre with 100 per cent stamp duty exemption.
The policy provides 60-day deemed approvals for non-statutory permissions through the Single Window Portal.
It envisages around 2,000 direct rural jobs by 2030 and bio-manure for 10,000 farmers.
Capital support:
Rs 0.50 crore per TPD
Cap per project:
Rs 10 crore
Land lease rate:
Rs 1 per square metre
Deemed approval:
60-day
Direct rural jobs by 2030:
around 2,000
Why it matters for exams: State energy and waste-to-wealth policies, with their incentive figures, are frequent current-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
CBG Compressed Bio-Gas — Purified biogas compressed for use as a vehicle fuel.
TPD Tonnes Per Day — A measure of plant capacity in tonnes processed each day.
Pomace — The solid residue left after pressing fruit such as apples for juice.
1 October 2026
The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the J&K Electric Vehicle Policy-2026 after approval by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Covering 2026-32 across all 20 districts, the policy targets 1.4 lakh electric vehicles by 2032.
It envisages 900 public charging sites, including 140 fast-charging hubs, and EV-readiness for 20 per cent of parking capacity under building bylaws.
A Specialised Winter Validation Protocol will test EVs for snow and sub-zero conditions.
Incentives include 3-5 per cent interest subvention on EV loans for up to 36 months and Rs 50 crore a year for scrappage-linked incentives.
Policy period:
2026-32
EV target by 2032:
1.4 lakh
Public charging sites:
900
Fast-charging hubs:
140
Annual scrappage-linked provision:
Rs 50 crore
Why it matters for exams: State EV policies, with their targets and charging-network figures, are regular current-affairs and environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Interest subvention — Government support that reduces the interest a borrower pays on a loan.
Scrappage incentive — A benefit given for retiring an old vehicle and replacing it with a cleaner one.
28 September 2026
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah brought a resolution in the J&K Assembly's autumn session on September 25; it was put to a vote and passed on September 28.
It calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
It is in addition to the Assembly's resolutions of June 26, 2000 (greater autonomy, as before August 9, 1953) and November 6, 2024 (special status).
Sixty-one of 90 members from the NC, Congress, CPI(M), PDP, JKPC, AAP and AIP supported it; the BJP stayed away from the vote.
Resolution passed:
September 28
Members in support:
61 of 90
Earlier autonomy resolution:
June 26, 2000
Earlier special status resolution:
November 6, 2024
Why it matters for exams: Statehood, the 2019 downgrade to a Union Territory and the Assembly's earlier resolutions are core polity topics for UPSC and PSC.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Statehood — The status of a full State, which Jammu and Kashmir lost when it became a Union Territory in 2019.
30 September 2026
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die on September 30, 2026, ending a session that began on September 21.
The session saw seven sittings, with the House conducting business for around 25 hours.
According to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, more than 640 questions were received, including 328 starred questions, and 625 were listed for discussion.
The Assembly has 90 elected members; 61 of them backed the Statehood resolution passed on September 28.
Sittings:
seven
Business conducted:
around 25 hours
Starred questions:
328
Questions listed for discussion:
625
Elected members:
90
Why it matters for exams: Legislative procedure terms such as sine die and starred questions, and the Assembly's strength, are recurring polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Sine die — Adjournment of a legislature without fixing a date for it to meet again.
Starred question — A question for which the member asks for an oral answer in the House.
Background
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 reorganised the former State of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. The Ministry of Home Affairs records the outcome as "Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with legislature, and Union Territory of Ladakh without Legislature", and states that the Act formally came into force on 31st October, 2019.
At its creation the new Union Territory of Ladakh consisted of the two districts of Kargil and Leh, as the Ministry's release on the maps of the two union territories records. The rest of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir is in the new Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In 1947 the former State had 14 districts; by 2019 the areas of these 14 districts had been reorganised into 28 districts. Kargil district was carved out from the area of Leh and Ladakh district. The maps of the two new union territories were prepared by Survey General of India.
The Union Territory of Ladakh is administered by a Lieutenant Governor; its first Lieutenant Governor was administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on 31 October 2019.
For the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir the Delimitation Commission's final order provides 90 Assembly Constituencies, of which 43 will be part of Jammu region and 47 for Kashmir region. 9 ACs have been reserved for STs and 07 for SCs, the first time seats were reserved for Scheduled Tribes there.
There are five Parliamentary Constituencies in the Union Territory, and after the delimitation each Parliamentary Constituency has an equal number of 18 Assembly Constituencies.
How the Ministry of Home Affairs records the reorganisation:
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with legislature, and Union Territory of Ladakh without Legislature
Date the two union territories were created:
31 October 2019
Districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh as created:
two districts of Kargil and Leh
Districts of the former State in 1947:
14 districts
Districts the same areas had been reorganised into by 2019:
28 districts
Assembly Constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir:
90
Assembly Constituencies in Jammu region and in Kashmir region:
43 will be part of Jammu region and 47 for Kashmir region
Assembly Constituencies reserved for Scheduled Tribes:
nine ACs
Assembly Constituencies in each Parliamentary Constituency:
18
Why it matters for exams: The two-union-territory structure, which of them has a legislature, the Ladakh districts and the 90-seat Assembly arithmetic are the standard factual hooks for any question on India's union territories.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Delimitation Delimitation of constituencies — The redrawing of the boundaries of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies.
AC Assembly Constituency — A single seat in a legislative assembly and the area that elects it.
Background
The court's own record states that the full-fledged High Court of Judicature for the Jammu and Kashmir State was established in the year 1928. Before that the Ruler of the State was the final authority in the administration of justice, and from 1889 the judicial member of a Council exercised the appellate powers on both the civil and the criminal side.
By virtue of Order No. 1 dated 26.3.1928 the High Court of Judicature was established, and for the first time the High Court was to consist of The Chief Justice and two Judges. The usual places of sitting of the High Court used to be Jammu and Srinagar. On 10.9.1943, Letters Patent was conferred on the High Court.
In 1954, by the Constitution Application Order of 1954, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was extended to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and the High Court was for the first time given the power to issue writs for enforcement of the fundamental rights so far as they were applicable there.
A Board of Judicial Advisers, akin to the Privy Council in British India, advised the Ruler on appeals against High Court decisions. When the Board was abolished it had 17 appeals pending. A Special Bench of the Supreme Court of India was constituted to dispose of them and heard the appeals in Srinagar, upholding the judgement of the High Court in all 17. The court records this as the sole instance till date of a Bench of the Supreme Court holding a sitting outside its seat at Delhi.
The court is now the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with a sanctioned strength of 25 Judges, and its rules and district judiciary cover the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh. From May to end October the Chief Justice and the Administrative Wing shift to Srinagar, and from November to end April the headquarters is at Jammu; the court sections of both the Jammu and Srinagar wings function throughout the year.
Year the full-fledged High Court was established:
1928
Composition of the High Court when first established:
The Chief Justice and two Judges
Usual places of sitting of the High Court:
Jammu and Srinagar
Date Letters Patent was conferred:
10.9.1943
Appeals heard by the Special Bench that sat at Srinagar:
17 appeals
Sanctioned strength of judges:
25 Judges
Months the Administrative Wing works from Srinagar:
From May to end October
Why it matters for exams: A single High Court serving two union territories is an unusual arrangement, and the Srinagar sitting of a Supreme Court Bench is a one-of-a-kind fact that examiners like to test.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Letters Patent Letters Patent — A formal written instrument that confers a power or a status on a court or an office.
Writ Writ — A written order of a court directing someone to do or stop doing something.
Background
District Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir (UT). It is situated in the centre of the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River and is surrounded by four districts and Ladakh UT. The capital city of Srinagar is located 1585 meters above sea level.
The city is located on both the sides of the Jhelum River, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and meanders through the valley, deepening in the Dal Lake. The city is famous for its nine old bridges, connecting the two parts of the city, and for its gardens, lakes and houseboats.
Hokersar is a wetland situated near Srinagar, 14 km (8.7 mi) north of the city, spread over 13.75 km2 (5.31 sq mi) including lake and marshy area. Migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia use wetlands in Kashmir as their transitory camps between September and October and again around spring. Kashmir's other wetlands include Hygam, Shalibug and Mirgund.
The winter capital, Jammu, stands on the Shivalik Range, overlooking the northern plains; the old city was founded on the right bank of the River Tawi and the city has come to be known as the 'City Of Temples'.
The Pir Panchal Range separates Budgam district in the valley from Poonch district on its southwest side.
The Jhelum is one of the three rivers that the Indus Waters Treaty groups as the Western Rivers, the other two being the Indus and the Chenab; the Eastern Rivers under the same Treaty are the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
Summer capital of the Union Territory:
Srinagar
Winter capital:
Jammu
Altitude of Srinagar city:
1585 meters above sea level
Local name of the Jhelum in Kashmir:
Vyath
Old bridges in Srinagar:
nine old bridges
Area of the Hokersar wetland:
13.75 km2 (5.31 sq mi)
Distance of Hokersar from Srinagar:
14 km (8.7 mi)
Range on which Jammu city stands:
Shivalik Range
Range separating Budgam from Poonch:
Pir Panchal Range
Western Rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty:
Indus, Jhelum, Chenab
Why it matters for exams: The twin capitals, the Jhelum-Dal link and the Western Rivers grouping are three of the most repeated map and treaty questions on this territory, and they connect to one another.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Wetland Wetland — Land that is covered by shallow water for all or part of the year and supports water birds and marsh plants.
Western Rivers Western Rivers of the Indus Waters Treaty — The Treaty's name for the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab taken together.
Background
UNESCO records Srinagar as a member of its Creative Cities Network in the category Crafts and Folk Art, a member since 2021.
UNESCO's city page states that Srinagar is known for its unique handicrafts and handloom products, and that since the 14th century the city has become known for its rich arts and crafts tradition and heritage. The artisan base of the city is described as tens of thousands of craftspeople strong across a large number of crafts disciplines, with a flourishing arts and crafts market and many direct links between the artisans and the places where their products are shown.
As a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, UNESCO's page sets out the steps it says will be important for the city: contributing to improving the local living environment and working infrastructure for the creative field concerned, integrating a special focus on local craftspeople for sustainable development, encouraging different groups, notably young people, women and vulnerable groups, to develop their skills in crafts and folk art, and promoting knowledge exchange, innovation and information dissemination in the creative field of crafts.
The territory's best known craft product carries a separate legal protection: the Ministry of Textiles records that the Pashmina shawl is registered as Kashmir Pashmina vide application No.46 under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
A geographical indication is an indication used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Srinagar's category in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network:
Crafts and Folk Art
Year Srinagar became a member of the Network:
2021
Century from which Srinagar's crafts reputation dates:
14th century
GI application number for Kashmir Pashmina:
application No.46
Law under which Kashmir Pashmina is registered:
Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
Why it matters for exams: UNESCO Creative City categories and Indian GI registrations are both frequently asked lists, and Srinagar's crafts sit in both, which makes the pair easy to link in a question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GI Geographical Indication — A sign used on goods whose qualities or reputation come from the place they are made.
UCCN UNESCO Creative Cities Network — A UNESCO network of cities recognised in one of seven creative fields.
Background
The Zojila Tunnel is being built between Baltal and Minamarg on National Highway-1 to give year-round connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The nearly 14-km-long bi-directional tunnel is being developed at a cost of approximately ₹6,800 crore, at altitudes of 2,900 metres to 3,310 metres.
The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is executing the project.
On June 9, 2026, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari witnessed the breakthrough of the main tunnel at the eastern portal at Minamarg in Kargil district.
On completion, travel time between Sonamarg and Minamarg will fall from nearly two hours to about 30 minutes.
Length:
nearly 14 km
Cost:
approximately ₹6,800 crore
Altitude:
2,900 metres to 3,310 metres
Road:
National Highway-1
Sonamarg-Minamarg time:
nearly two hours to about 30 minutes
Why it matters for exams: Zojila and other Himalayan tunnels are staple infrastructure and strategic-connectivity questions in UPSC, SSC and PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NHIDCL National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited — The government company that builds highways in strategic and remote regions.
Bi-directional tunnel — A single tunnel in which traffic moves in both directions.
Background
The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), 272 km long, covers Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chenab Bridge in Reasi district is the world's highest railway bridge: 1315 m long, with an arch span of 467 m and a height of 359 m above the river bed.
The Anji Khad Bridge is Indian Railways' first cable-stayed bridge; its deck is 331 m above the river bed and its main pylon is 193 m high.
All tunnels longer than 2 km have mechanical ventilation, and escape tunnels have been built where a tunnel is more than 3 km long, totalling 66 km.
USBRL length:
272 km
Chenab Bridge height above river bed:
359 m
Chenab Bridge arch span:
467 m
Anji Khad deck height:
331 m
Escape tunnels:
66 km
Why it matters for exams: The record dimensions of the Chenab Bridge and the layout of USBRL are favourite static-GK and infrastructure questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Arch span — The distance covered by the curved arch of a bridge between its supports.
Pylon — The tall tower of a cable-stayed bridge from which the cables are strung.