NationalWednesday, 21 October 2026·The Hindu - National
J&K restores annual Darbar Move: capital shifts from Srinagar to Jammu from Oct 31, 2026
Jammu and Kashmir resumed the annual Darbar Move in 2026, with offices shifting from Srinagar to Jammu and reopening in Jammu on November 2.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In October 2026, the Jammu and Kashmir government announced the annual Darbar Move from Srinagar to Jammu, with offices scheduled to reopen in Jammu on November 2 and the move resumed after being stopped in 2021.
Key specifics
- More than 9,000 government employees will relocate every year under the Darbar Move.
- About 51 government departments are covered in the twin-capital shifting practice.
- JKRTC was told to arrange buses for October 31 and November 1, 2026.
- Tickets for the convoy were to be issued in advance from October 27, 2026.
- Camp-mode offices will carry up to 33% staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is lower.
Exam lens
Polity and governance question type: match the following, chronology, and administrative practice. Key facts: Darbar Move, introduced in 1872 by Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh, stopped in 2021, resumed in 2025, offices reopen in Jammu on November 2, 2026. TNPSC may ask the year of introduction, the capitals involved, and the reason cited for the practice.