List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965 to 2024

Jammu and Kashmir, a region in northern India, has a unique political history. From 1965 to 2019, it had its own Chief Ministers who led the state through different challenges and changes. In 2019, the Indian government made a big change by ending the statehood and its special status. Here, we look at the list of Chief Ministers and important events in the region’s political journey.

An Overview of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a region in India, now managed as a union territory. It covers the southern part of the larger Kashmir area, which has been disputed between India and Pakistan since 1947 and between India and China since 1959. The Line of Control divides Jammu and Kashmir from the areas of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which are controlled by Pakistan. It is located north of the Indian states Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and west of Ladakh, another union territory of India.

The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was created under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was approved by the Indian Parliament in August 2019. This law divided the old state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, starting from October 31, 2019.

Current Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

Omar Abdullah is the current Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, taking oath on October 16. At 54 years old, this is his second time as Chief Minister. His family has a long history in the region’s politics; his grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was the first leader after Jammu and Kashmir joined India, and his father, Farooq Abdullah, served as Chief Minister three times.

Omar Abdullah was the last Chief Minister to complete a full six-year term, leading the former state from 2009 to 2015. He also has experience as a Member of Parliament and was the Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government from 2001 to 2002.

Government Structure of Jammu and Kashmir

When India became independent in August 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was one of 565 princely states. The leaders of these states had to decide whether to join India or Pakistan as British rule ended.

The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, chose not to join either country right away. He suggested a temporary agreement with both India and Pakistan to keep things as they were while he thought about his decision.

In October 1947, armed groups from Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, causing chaos and violence. This invasion forced Maharaja Hari Singh to ask India for military help.

On October 24, 1947, facing this serious threat, Hari Singh sent his representative, Sheikh Abdullah, to Delhi to ask the Indian government for assistance.

On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in Jammu, which was an official agreement allowing Jammu and Kashmir to join India under specific conditions. The agreement stated that India would have control over foreign affairs, defense, and communication. Lord Mountbatten, the Governor-General of India at the time, accepted this document on October 27, 1947.

After signing, Indian troops were airlifted into Jammu and Kashmir to help fight off the invading forces, which was crucial for stabilizing the region.

Early Governance System in Jammu and Kashmir

After joining India, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was made Prime Minister in March 1948, leading a temporary government set up by Maharaja Hari Singh. The political system was unique because it included a Sadr-e-Riyasat (head of state) and allowed Jammu and Kashmir significant autonomy through Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to the region.

Over time, there were many changes in this leadership role. Sheikh Abdullah was removed from office in 1953, and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad became the new Prime Minister. This period was marked by political instability and protests. In 1956, Jammu and Kashmir created its own constitution, which outlined the powers of the Prime Minister within the state.

Transition to Chief Minister

A significant change occurred in March 1965 with the Sixth Amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, which replaced the title of Prime Minister with Chief Minister. Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq was the first to hold this new position.

This change was important because it represented a move toward closer integration with the Indian Union, aligning Jammu and Kashmir’s government with those of other Indian states.

List of Prime Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 to 1965

Since the independence, Jammu and Kashmir was led by Prime Ministers till 1965. Here is the list of Prime Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 to 1965:

List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965 to 2024

This article provides a list of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965 to 2024. It highlights the key leaders who governed the region during this period, showcasing their contributions and the political changes that took place in Jammu and Kashmir over the years.

Here is the list of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir from 1965 to 2024: