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Srinagar (summer); Jammu (winter) · North · Union Territory with an elected legislative assembly
Chief Minister
NC · in office since 2024
Declared figures from the ECI election affidavit (—), via MyNeta/ADR — as declared, not verified. Bars are the original publisher's 0–100 mappings (education mapping; legal: 100 − serious×18 − other×10) — theirs, not ours.
These 0–100 ratings are the original publisher's own, quoted here with their methodology. Audit India computes no score — the same way we carry UNDP's HDI as UNDP's number.
Transparency
38/ 100
the original publisher
Two findings are carried here, both read against the reports themselves: the 2025 performance audit of public health infrastructure (Report No. 2 of 2025) and the 2025 performance audit of lake conservation (Report No. 4 of 2025). The score beside this note was assigned by the original publisher on four findings whose figures — 44 per cent specialist vacancy, 1.8 million with conflict-related PTSD, 34 per cent of Dal Lake samples over the E. coli limit, Rs 1,642 crore of wasted conservation spending — are not in those reports, and have been withdrawn. J&K's transparency is severely constrained by the unique LG-elected government dual power structure — the LG retains control of Police, IAS and other powers beyond the Council of Ministers' jurisdiction; elected government decisions can be overruled; this creates accountability without commensurate authority for the Omar Abdullah government. 10+ years of internet shutdowns (2019-2023) have suppressed civil society's ability to monitor governance. The lack of elected local bodies for most of 2019-2024 further reduced accountability mechanisms.
Officials' Legal Integrity
98/ 100
the original publisher
10 unique officials counted (Lieutenant Governor excluded). CM Omar Abdullah: 0 → 100; Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather: 0 → 100; Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary: 0 → 100; Sakina Itoo: 0 → 100; Javid Dar: 0 → 100; Javed Ahmad Rana: 1 case → 75; Satish Sharma: 0 → 100; Ghulam Ahmad Mir: 0 → 100; Raees Ahmad Dar: 0 → 100; and (10th) Javed Ahmed (Power) → 0 → 100. Average: (9×100 + 75) ÷ 10 = 975 ÷ 10 = 97.5, rounded to 98.
Governance
46/ 100
the original publisher
Composite: indicators avg (49/100) × 50% + Transparency (38/100) × 25% + Integrity (98/100) × 25% = 24.5 + 9.5 + 24.5 = 58.5; adjusted down to 46 to reflect: (1) J&K's fundamental governance abnormality — the LG-elected government dual power structure means the Chief Minister cannot govern the police, IAS postings, or prosecution of corruption, creating accountability without authority and the highest structural governance deficit in India's states/UTs; (2) 35 years of conflict have created a governance vacuum where normal administrative processes — gram sabha meetings, MGNREGS work planning, public health outreach — routinely fail in security-sensitive areas; (3) CAG's 2025 lakes audit found conservation programmes for only six of the UT's 697 lakes, seven of 63 sampled lakes no longer visible or nearly dried up, and 2,528.10 kanals of Hokersar Lake encroached for want of demarcation.
The 0–100 rings are the original publisher's category scores, in their colour bands — theirs, not ours.
These statistics were carried over from the original publisher, which produced them with a language model rather than compiling them from the publications named beside them. We removed 38 whose figures were absent from the source they credit, and confirmed 45 against theirs. The rest name a publication we have not been able to check them against — read them as the original publisher's figures, not as verified fact.
Figures below are as declared by each individual in their own ECI or Rajya Sabha affidavit. We report them; we do not score them. The small bars under education are the original publisher's 0–100 mapping of the declared qualification — their construct, not a measurement of ours.
| Name | Office | Party · since | Declared cases | Declared qualification | Affidavit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAOmar Abdullah | Chief Minister | | — | — | — |
| MSManoj Sinha | Lieutenant Governor | — | — | — | — |
| ARAbdul Rahim Rather | Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly | | — | — | — |
| SKSurinder Kumar Choudhary | Deputy Chief Minister & Minister for PWD, Rural Development |  | — | — | — |
| SISakina Itoo | Minister for Education, Social Welfare | | — | — | — |
| JDJavid Dar | Minister for Health & Medical Education | | — | — | — |
| JAJaved Ahmad Rana | Minister for Agriculture, Forest, Tribal Affairs | | — | — | — |
| SSSatish Sharma | Minister for Planning & Development, Science & Technology | | 0 | Post Graduate | 2024 |
| GAGhulam Ahmad Mir | Minister for Industries, Commerce & Transport | | — | — | — |
| RARaees Ahmad Dar | Minister for Water Resources, Irrigation & Flood Control | | — | — | — |
Findings from CAG audit reports on schemes as they ran in this state, quoted with their report references. We add no grade of our own.
Public Health Infrastructure and Health Services — Jammu & Kashmir
In the six districts sampled, Jammu & Kashmir was short of 45 per cent of the sub-centres and 81 per cent of the community health centres that IPHS norms require. Of 415 construction works taken up under the National Health Mission, the Prime Minister's Development Programme and the languishing projects programme, 177 were completed and 238 were left incomplete.
What the audit measured
ENT, psychiatry, ophthalmology and skin OPD services were missing in eight, nine, six and 13 district hospitals respectively. All the inpatient services IPHS requires were available in only three of six district hospitals sampled, and in only seven of 18 sub-district hospitals and one of ten community health centres. Of 52 primary health centres sampled, only two had an operation theatre and only 19 had an ambulance. Every health institution test-checked was short of essential drugs and equipment. Out-of-pocket spending per delivery in a public facility was ₹5,145 against a national average of ₹2,916.
Conservation and Management of Lakes — Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir has 697 natural lakes, and conservation programmes for six of them. For the other 691 the Forest Department neither identified which were eligible for central assistance nor drew up any plan to seek it. About one per cent of the UT's capital budget over 2017-22 — ₹560.65 crore — went to the six lakes that do have programmes. Of 63 lakes audit sampled and plotted on satellite imagery, seven were no longer visible or had almost dried up.
What the audit measured
There is no centralised lake authority and no specific law for lake conservation, so responsibilities sit scattered across five departments. Dal Lake's open water could not be restored — land use changed because land was never acquired from lake dwellers, sewage treatment plants malfunctioned and de-weeding was improper. 2,528.10 kanals of Hokersar Lake have been encroached for want of survey and demarcation. Surinsar and Mansar were never demarcated either, and have no sewage treatment plants at all, so untreated sewage goes into them. Manasbal is unmarked beyond seven kilometres and construction around it continues unchecked.
The promises and their delivery status come from the original publisher and are their assessment, not ours. They cite a party's homepage rather than a manifesto, so what was promised cannot be checked from the citation given. Audit India has verified neither the wording nor the status.
Pass assembly resolution demanding restoration of J&K statehood from UT
J&K Legislative Assembly passed a non-binding resolution demanding restoration of statehood (November 2024) with NC-Congress support. GoI acknowledged the resolution but no formal statehood restoration legislation introduced in Parliament as of mid-2026. The resolution was a symbolic political step; actual statehood requires central government action.
Release political detainees and restore civil liberties in J&K
Omar Abdullah government released several PSA (Public Safety Act) detainees upon taking office. LG-administered police powers remain separate from elected government jurisdiction. Internet shutdowns (used frequently pre-2024) reduced significantly. Full civil liberties restoration is complicated by the UT governance structure where LG retains significant security powers.
Prioritise J&K domicile for government jobs over JKPSC/JKSSB selection
NC's "J&K for J&K youth" promise clashed with the 2020 J&K Reorganisation rules allowing non-domicile persons in certain posts. NC government moved to prioritise local recruitment; JKPSC advertised 1,500+ posts reserved for J&K domicile. However LG retains control over key administrative appointments, limiting the elected government's reach.
Make J&K India's top tourist destination; achieve 2 crore tourists annually
J&K tourism reached 2.11 crore visitors in 2024 — a record, fulfilling the numerical target. Kashmir valley became India's most-photographed travel destination in 2023-24 via social media. However the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack (Baisaran meadow — 26 tourists killed including Israeli and Canadian nationals) devastated tourism: bookings collapsed 80% in the week following, and the 2025 summer season is estimated to have lost ₹4,000+ crore in tourism revenue. NC government's Omar Abdullah demanded Centre expedite statehood restoration partly citing the security-governance gap that allowed the attack.
Restore Dal Lake ecosystem: remove encroachments and reduce pollution
Dal Lake — the iconic 18 sq km Srinagar lake and home to 50,000+ houseboat and floating garden residents — has shrunk from 25 sq km in 1900 to 12-15 sq km today, due to encroachment, silting, and eutrophication from untreated sewage. The J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has been attempting restoration since 2006 with limited success. Omar Abdullah government (2024-) committed to Dal restoration as a tourist and ecological priority. 78 houseboat operators found with FSSAI/environmental violations in 2025. Dal Lake water quality: oxygen-depleted in summer months (BOD 12-15 mg/L against standard 3). ₹1,200 crore allocated over 2024-30 for restoration.
Restore J&K's statehood — reversed from UT status imposed in August 2019
J&K was bifurcated into two UTs (J&K UT with legislature, Ladakh UT without legislature) on August 5-6, 2019, when the BJP-led NDA government abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A. The NC 2024 election manifesto's primary demand was restoration of J&K's full statehood. Omar Abdullah has repeatedly stated that the NC government's fundamental objective is statehood — and that governing J&K as a UT (where the LG retains significant powers over police, land and key bureaucratic appointments, limiting the elected government's authority) is an "insult to the mandate of J&K people." The Supreme Court, in its December 2023 judgment upholding the abrogation of Article 370, also noted that the Centre should restore statehood "at the earliest." As of mid-2026, statehood has not been restored — the Central government has not set a timeline. The NC-Omar Abdullah government functions under LG Sinha's oversight, with the LG having veto power over police and land decisions. This is a fundamental constraint on NC's governance.
Make J&K India's top tourist destination; 3 crore tourists by 2027; revive Kashmir arts
J&K tourism has seen a remarkable post-2021 surge. Tourist arrivals: 1.81 crore (2022 — highest ever at that point), 2.11 crore (2023), 2.1 crore (2024). This includes domestic tourists who have been visiting Kashmir in unprecedented numbers following the security improvement post-2019 (perception of safer travel after CRPF reinforcement and communications normalisation). Gulmarg (skiing — one of Asia's best ski resorts), Sonamarg (Glacier tourism), Pahalgam (pilgrimage gateway), and Srinagar (Dal Lake houseboats, Mughal gardens) are peak destinations. Kashmir's handicraft revival: carpet exports $220 million (2023-24), pashmina exports growing 18%/year. However the UT governance model (LG control over land) has accelerated non-Kashmiri real estate investment in Kashmir — which NC has opposed as changing J&K's demographic character. The Amarnath Yatra (2024) had 3.5 lakh registered pilgrims. J&K tourism economy: ₹8,200 crore (2023-24).
Create 1 lakh youth jobs; start-up ecosystem in Srinagar; revive apple-belt rural economy
J&K's youth unemployment rate (30.6% in 2024 — the highest among any Indian state or UT) is the most pressing governance challenge. Decades of conflict, security-related movement restrictions, and the collapse of private sector investment have created a generation of educated but unemployable youth. NC's employment strategy: (1) JKSSB (J&K Services Selection Board) recruitment — 8,000 posts notified in 2024, 4,200 filled by mid-2026; (2) J&K Start-Up Ecosystem: 220 registered startups in Srinagar (primarily IT, e-commerce, agri-tech); (3) Apple belt economy: J&K produces ~1.5 crore cartons of apples (second only to HP); the apple economy is dominated by Sopore and Shopian apple traders — the Fruit Mandi (auction market) reform is long-overdue; (4) Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) commercialisation of saffron farming (Pampore — the only saffron-growing region in India; GI tagged; 16 tonnes/year; India's most expensive spice at ₹2.5 lakh/kg). J&K saffron exports grew 38% (2023-24) after GI tag enforcement.
Seek restoration of Article 370 and special status through constitutional means
The NC 2024 manifesto explicitly included restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A — the foundational provisions of J&K's special status within India that were abrogated by Presidential Order on August 5, 2019. Omar Abdullah has since walked back the political urgency of the 370 demand post-election (stating it is a "long-term aspiration") while focusing practical governance on developmental issues. The Supreme Court's December 2023 judgment upheld the abrogation as constitutionally valid — making a legal reversal effectively impossible without a constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds Parliamentary majority and ratification by at least half the states (which is impossible given the current BJP-aligned parliamentary arithmetic). Thus this NC promise — while politically resonant in Kashmir — is legally unachievable in the foreseeable future. NC's actual legislative strategy focuses on the statehood restoration (achievable by Central executive action) rather than Article 370 restoration (requires Constitutional amendment).
Fair price for apple growers; saffron protection; modernise Fruit Mandi at Sopore and Shopian
J&K's agriculture is dominated by horticulture: apples (1.5 crore cartons, ~₹8,000 crore farm-gate value), pears, cherries, walnut, and saffron. The apple cartel issue — where a small number of traders at the Sopore Fruit Mandi and Shopian market dominate pricing, leaving farmers with 30-40% of retail value — has been a persistent problem. NC 2024 promised to break the cartel through transparent electronic mandi platforms. The GoJK e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) integration for apples: incomplete by mid-2026 — only 3 of 8 major apple mandis connected. Saffron (Pampore town, Pulwama district) — the world's most expensive spice — is grown on 3,715 ha, primarily by 2,800+ farming families. The J&K Saffron Revival Mission (NMPB) has invested ₹412 crore since 2010 — but production has stagnated at 15-16 tonnes/year (from a historic 18-20 tonnes). Challenge: changing rainfall patterns (saffron needs specific rainfall timing in October), drip irrigation (being introduced in 500 ha), and land fragmentation.
Achieve peace through dialogue: release political prisoners and begin reconciliation
PDP (in coalition with BJP 2015-18) had a contradictory position — moderate separatist appeal but allied with BJP which revoked Art 370 in 2019. Some PSA detainees released. Dialogue with Pakistan was the stated goal but Uri attack (2016) and Pulwama (2019) derailed process. Mehbooba Mufti resigned in 2018 when BJP withdrew support.
Employment generation and self-reliance for Kashmiri youth
PDP-BJP government provided PMKVY training and limited government recruitment. Tourism employment improved 2015-17 before violence escalated. PMGSY roads improved connectivity. However J&K unemployment (23% in 2018) remained well above national average; security situation deterred major private investment throughout the 2014-19 cycle.
Revive Kashmir handicrafts — carpet, shawl, papier-mâché — to create non-conflict employment
Kashmir's traditional handicraft sector — carpets (Kashmiri hand-knotted carpets are India's most expensive, averaging ₹5-50 lakh per carpet), Pashmina shawls (the world's finest wool, from Ladakhi Changthang goats), and papier-mâché — employs approximately 3 lakh artisans. PDP 2014 promised to revive this sector with design institutes, GI tag enforcement, and export promotion. GI registration for Kashmiri Pashmina (2008) and Khatamband woodwork was leveraged. However the 2016 Burhan Wani killing and subsequent unrest caused tourism collapse (80,000 tourist cancellations in 2016) which hurt handicraft retail. The sector recovered partially in 2022-24 as tourist arrivals normalised.
Protect Article 370 and Article 35A; maintain J&K's special status within the Indian Union
The PDP-BJP coalition (2015-18) was — in retrospect — one of India's most contradictory political alliances. PDP's founding identity under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was as a pro-dialogue, soft-separatist party committed to Article 370 and 35A (which restricted land purchase in J&K to permanent residents). BJP's ideological position has always been to abrogate both articles. The Agenda of Alliance (2015 coalition document) carefully avoided Article 370. When BJP withdrew support in June 2018 (citing unilateral ceasefire as enabling militancy), Mehbooba Mufti's government fell. On August 5, 2019 — exactly 14 months later — BJP abrogated Article 370 and 35A through a Presidential Order and bifurcated J&K into two UTs (J&K and Ladakh). Every PDP promise premised on Article 370 continuity was rendered void. Mehbooba Mufti called August 5, 2019 "the darkest day in democratic history." The abrogation eliminated J&K's separate Constituent Assembly, flag, Ranbir Penal Code, and land residency protections — changing the fundamental constitutional character of the territory.
Complete USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) — connect Kashmir to Indian rail network
The USBRL — India's most engineering-complex railway project (sanctioned 1995, under construction since 1997) — was a centrepiece of the PDP 2014 manifesto promise of "normalcy through connectivity." The project traverses the Himalayan Pir Panjal range via 10 major tunnels and 37 bridges, including the Chenab Bridge (359 m above the Chenab river gorge — the world's highest railway bridge), the Anji Khad cable-stayed rail bridge (India's first), and the 12.75 km Banihal-Qazigund tunnel. Under the PDP era (2015-18) and continuing through the J&K LG administration: Udhampur-Katra section commissioned 2014; Banihal-Qazigund tunnel operational 2013; Katra-Banihal (the missing Pir Panjal link — 111 km, 98 km of tunnels) was the critical gap. Chenab Bridge steel arch completed 2022 (under LG administration). Track laying on Katra-Banihal commenced. Full USBRL (Srinagar-Baramulla section to Delhi rail network): expected completion and trial run 2026-27. When completed, Kashmir will have rail access to Delhi for the first time — reducing Srinagar-Delhi journey from 12+ hour road/flight to approximately 8 hours by train.
Restore Kashmir tourism; Gulmarg as South Asia's ski capital; promote film tourism
Kashmir's tourism under the PDP-BJP government (2015-18) was severely disrupted: the 2016 unrest following Burhan Wani's killing led to 80,000+ tourist cancellations; the 2017 season partially recovered. PDP's Mehbooba Mufti promoted film tourism — J&K was granted a special incentive under the GoI Film Production Incentive scheme (₹2 crore for productions of 75+ minutes filmed partly in J&K). Major Bollywood shoots returned (Fitoor, Bajrangi Bhaijaan) though the state remained on security advisories for most of the 2015-18 period. Gulmarg (2,690 metres) has Asia's second-highest gondola (Phase II at 4,390 metres, above the snowline) — ski season September-April. The 2016 cancellations reduced Gulmarg ski revenue 60% that year. On the positive side, the PDP-BJP government's cooperation with International Ski Federation (FIS) led to Gulmarg's first FIS World Cup-grade ski event (2017). Houseboat sector: Srinagar's 1,300 houseboats saw occupancy fall to 18% in 2016 (from 65% in 2013-14).
Create conditions for Kashmiri Pandit return to Kashmir Valley; resettlement with dignity
The return of Kashmiri Pandits — approximately 3-5 lakh Hindus who fled the Kashmir Valley in 1989-91 under threat from militancy — was a central promise of the PDP 2014 manifesto's "healing touch" agenda. The Pandit community (Kashmiri Brahmin community with roots in the Valley dating to antiquity) lives primarily in Jammu, Delhi and other cities. PDP's approach: transit accommodation (government flats in secure colonies inside the Valley) for Pandits willing to work in government jobs in Kashmir — the "PM Package" employees. ~3,800 Kashmiri Pandits had taken up PM Package jobs in the Valley (2008-2018). However in May 2022, the targeted killing of Kashmiri Pandits — including government employee Rahul Bhat in Budgam (killed in his office by terrorists) — triggered mass exodus of these PM Package employees back to Jammu. As of mid-2026, most PM Package Kashmiri Pandits have abandoned Valley postings. Full community return requires sustained security normalisation (not yet achieved) and resolution of property rights — both remain undelivered.
Reduce AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) areas; improve human rights accountability
AFSPA — which grants the armed forces sweeping powers to arrest, search and shoot in "disturbed areas" without normal criminal accountability — is one of the most contentious laws in J&K. PDP 2014 promised to review and reduce AFSPA-covered areas as security improved. Under the PDP-BJP government (2015-18): no formal reduction in AFSPA coverage was implemented; the escalating 2016 unrest made any reduction politically impossible. The NC-led 2024 government has also not reduced AFSPA formally — AFSPA remains in force across J&K. However, post-2019 security improvements have materially reduced militancy incidents: 2018: 257 militancy incidents; 2023: 46; 2024: 38 — an 85% reduction. The Government of India has reduced AFSPA coverage in the Northeast (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) gradually, but J&K's AFSPA has not been formally reduced despite the security improvement.
Transform J&K education; IIM Jammu, NIT Srinagar; expand engineering and medical seats
J&K's higher education infrastructure has expanded significantly under the UT administration (2019-24) and the elected NC government (2024-). Key institutions: NIT Srinagar (3,200 students, 4 new departments added 2020-24); IIM Jammu (500 MBA students, permanent campus inaugurated 2022 at Jammu Tech Park); University of Kashmir (Hazratbal — 26,000 students, one of India's oldest universities, 1948); SKIMS Medical College (Srinagar — 750 MBBS students, apex medical institution). Government Medical College Jammu and GMC Srinagar expanded MBBS seats from 150 to 250 each. AIIMS Jammu (sanctioned 2019, under construction — 720 beds; Phase 1 operational 2025). J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) results: Class 12 pass rate improved from 66% (2018) to 74% (2024). A structural issue: J&K has one of India's lowest graduation rates (25% of 18-24 year olds) despite high school enrolment — attributed to security-driven disruptions and school closures.
2 CAG reports