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Home / IAS Preparation / Article 35A of the Indian Constitution

Article 35A : Historical Background, Key Features & Legal Challenges

Last Updated on Feb 27, 2025
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Article 35A was a special provision in the Indian Constitution that empowered the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature to define "permanent residents" and grant them exclusive rights and privileges. It was introduced in 1954 through a Presidential Order and remained a part of the 

Constitution until its abrogation in 2019. The subject of the article was very close to Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir within India. Abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was a major constitutional modification, bringing the state at par with the rest of India. The subject is of use for students appearing for competitive exams such as "Article 35A UPSC." Understanding the origin, significance, legal challenges, and impact of Article 35A is essential for a deep grasp of Indian constitutional law.

Article 35A is an important topic in General Studies Paper II of the UPSC Mains. It deals with the special provisions of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly empowering the state legislature to define permanent residents and extend special rights and privileges to them. The topic explores its role in protecting the interests of residents, addressing challenges like regional autonomy, constitutional debates, and the implications of its abrogation on the socio-political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.

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What is Article 35A?

What is Article 35A? It was a unique provision that gave Jammu and Kashmir the power to decide who its permanent residents were. These residents received special benefits, while non-residents were denied similar rights. This provision was controversial because it treated Jammu and Kashmir differently from other states in India.

The main features of Article 35A were:

  • It was not passed by Parliament but added through a Presidential Order under Article 370.
  • It granted special rights to Jammu and Kashmir's permanent residents regarding land ownership, jobs, and scholarships.
  • It prevented non-residents from buying land or working in government jobs in the state.
  • It protected Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy, making it different from other Indian states.

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Historical Background of Article 35A

Article 35A was added to the Indian Constitution in 1954 through a Presidential Order, granting Jammu and Kashmir special rights and privileges for its "permanent residents" under Article 370's provisions.

The Origin of Article 35A

The origin of Article 35A lies in the Delhi Agreement of 1952. The agreement was between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah, who was the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The agreement was to grant autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, so that its state legislature could determine "permanent residents."

To implement this agreement, President Dr. Rajendra Prasad issued the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954. This order, issued under Article 370, added Article 35A to the Indian Constitution.

Unlike regular constitutional amendments, Article 35A was not passed by Parliament. Instead, it was added through an executive order, raising questions about its legality.

Why Was Article 35A Introduced?

The reason for introducing Article 35A was to protect the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir. The local leadership believed that without this provision, people from other states might settle in Jammu and Kashmir, changing its demographic and cultural makeup.

This provision ensured that only permanent residents could:

  • Own land and property in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Get government jobs in the state.
  • Receive state-funded education and scholarships.
  • Access social welfare benefits given by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

By restricting these rights, Article 35A created a legal and economic barrier between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India.

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Key Features of Article 35A

Article 35A allows Jammu and Kashmir's legislature to define "permanent residents," granting them exclusive rights to property ownership, government jobs, and scholarships, while restricting non-residents from these privileges.

Definition of Permanent Residents

The Jammu and Kashmir Constitution defined permanent residents as people who:

  • Were state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir on May 14, 1954.
  • Had lived in Jammu and Kashmir for 10 years before that date.
  • Were legally recognized as permanent residents by the state government.

Note: Anyone who did not meet these conditions was denied special rights under Article 35A.

Special Privileges for Permanent Residents

Under Article 35A, only permanent residents were allowed to:

  • Own property and buy land in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Apply for government jobs in the state.
  • Receive scholarships and financial aid from the government.
  • Access special welfare benefits provided by the state government.

Note: Non-residents, even if they were Indian citizens, were not given these privileges.

Gender Discrimination Under Article 35A

Article 35A was criticized for being unfair to women.

  • A Jammu and Kashmir woman who married a non-resident man lost her permanent resident status.
  • Her children were also denied property rights and government benefits.
  • However, a Jammu and Kashmir man could marry a non-resident woman and still retain all privileges under Article 35A.

Note: This gender bias was challenged in courts, adding to the controversy surrounding Article 35A.

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Article 370 and 35A: Their Connection

Here’s a comparison of Article 370 and Article 35A in a tabular format:

Aspect

Article 370

Article 35A

Purpose

Grants special autonomy to Jammu & Kashmir.

Provides special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir.

Origin

Added to the Constitution in 1949.

Added through a Presidential Order in 1954.

Provision

Limits the applicability of Indian laws in Jammu & Kashmir.

Allows Jammu & Kashmir to define "permanent residents" with exclusive rights.

Scope

Applies to the entire state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Applies to the residents of Jammu & Kashmir, defining their special privileges.

Impact on Governance

Provides autonomy over internal matters.

Protects rights like property ownership, government jobs, and scholarships for permanent residents.

Abrogation

Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, revoking Jammu & Kashmir's special status.

Article 35A was indirectly abrogated following the revocation of Article 370.

Legal Challenges to Article 35A

Article 35A came under judicial challenges on the grounds of its constitutionality, and its critics suggested that it undermined equality principles, whereas its defenders saw it as a safeguard clause for the denizens of Jammu & Kashmir.

Constitutional Validity

Several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of Article 35A. Before the court could make a decision, the government revoked Article 370 and 35A in 2019. Many experts argued that Article 35A was unconstitutional because:

  • It was added through a Presidential Order and not approved by Parliament.
  • It violated Article 14 (Right to Equality) by discriminating against non-residents.

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Removal of Article 370 and 35A

The removal of Article 370 and 35A in August 2019 revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status, leading to its reorganization into two Union Territories and sparking significant political and legal debates.

Why Was Article 35A Removed?

The removal of Article 370 and 35A was aimed at:

  1. Integrating Jammu and Kashmir fully into India.
  2. Ensuring equal rights for all Indian citizens.
  3. Encouraging investment and economic growth.
  4. Eliminating discrimination against women and non-residents.

How Was Article 35A Removed?

On August 5, 2019, the Indian government:

  • Issued a Presidential Order revoking Article 370.
  • Passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which split the state into two Union Territories.

Note: Since Article 35A depended on Article 370, its removal automatically nullified Article 35A.

Impact of Article 35A’s Removal

The abrogation of Article 35A allowed non-residents to buy property and get employment in Jammu and Kashmir, altering its demographic, social, and economic character, and generating political and legal issues.

  • Social Impact: The removal of Article 35A had a significant social effect. People from outside Jammu and Kashmir were now allowed to buy property. Many residents feared this could change the demographic balance of the region and lead to cultural challenges.
  • Economic Impact: Economically, the removal opened up new opportunities for investment in Jammu and Kashmir. Businesses could now operLegal Implications: In the absence of Article 35A, the legal environment of Jammu and Kashmir was changed. Laws of India, which were partially inapplicable previously, were made applicable in the state. This shift generated disputes in courts about the fate of property rights, employment, and education benefits for the residents.ate more freely in the region.
  • Security Impact: Security issues arose following the scrapping of Article 35A. There were concerns that the amendment could bring more unrest in the region. The government also went out of its way to ensure order and security in Jammu and Kashmir following the constitutional changes.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

 
  • Introduction to Article 35A: Article 35A grants special rights and privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, protecting their unique status.
  • Historical Context: It was added to the Indian Constitution in 1954 through a Presidential Order, bypassing Parliament’s approval.
  • Definition of Permanent Residents: Article 35A allows the J&K legislature to define "permanent residents" and provide them exclusive rights within the state.
  • Privileges of Permanent Residents: The article empowers the state to grant property rights, jobs, and other privileges only to the identified permanent residents.
  • Purpose of Article 35A: It was initially aimed at protecting Jammu and Kashmir's demographic composition and cultural identity. 

Conclusion

Article 35A of Indian Constitution granted special privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. However, it also created legal and economic barriers. The removal of Article 370 and 35A brought uniform laws to the region, ending its special status. This move remains a major constitutional and political development in India.

For students preparing for exams like Article 35A UPSC, understanding its history, provisions, and removal is essential. The debates on Article 35A continue, shaping discussions on Indian constitutional law and national integration.

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Article 35A UPSC FAQs

Article 35A grants special privileges to Jammu and Kashmir’s permanent residents, including property rights, government jobs, and scholarships.

It was introduced to protect the rights of Jammu and Kashmir’s residents, ensuring exclusive privileges for them.

It allows Jammu and Kashmir to define permanent residents and grant them special rights like property ownership and jobs.

Article 35A is a result of Article 370, granting Jammu and Kashmir special autonomy and resident-specific privileges

Article 35A has been challenged for violating the right to equality and restricting non-residents' fundamental rights.
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