Following the 2019 Reorganization, while the legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir can legislate on state matters, which of t…

Question

Following the 2019 Reorganization, while the legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir can legislate on state matters, which of the following subjects are exclusively reserved for the Union government, unlike other states?

1. A. Public order and Police (Correct answer)
2. B. Education and Health
3. C. Local self-government
4. D. Agriculture and Industries

Correct Answer

Option A — Public order and Police

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Public order and Police.

Key Points

• Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, Jammu & Kashmir became a Union Territory with a legislature — like Delhi and Puducherry, and unlike ordinary States.
• In such a Union Territory, "Public Order" and "Police" are excluded from the legislative competence of the Assembly and remain with the Union Government, exercised through the Lieutenant Governor.
• In every full State, by contrast, Police and Public Order are State List subjects (Entries 1 and 2 of List II) and belong to the State government.

Additional Information

• What the J&K Legislative Assembly can legislate on: all other matters in the State List and the Concurrent List, including education, health, agriculture, industries and local self-government — which is why the remaining options are incorrect.
• Key features of the Reorganisation Act, 2019, which came into force on 31 October 2019:
  • The State of Jammu & Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir (with a legislature) and Ladakh (without one).
  • Article 370 and Article 35A ceased to apply, so all provisions of the Indian Constitution now extend to J&K.
  • The separate Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir and its state flag were rendered inoperative.
  • The Ranbir Penal Code was replaced by central criminal law.
• The Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in *In Re: Article 370 of the Constitution* (December 2023), while directing that statehood be restored and elections held. Assembly elections were duly conducted in September–October 2024, the first in a decade.
• The Assembly's term is five years, and the Union Territory sends 5 members to the Lok Sabha and 4 to the Rajya Sabha.