Omar Abdullah restores 150-year-old Darbar Move as 10,000 employees shift offices
GS1History · Society · Geography· Ancient & medieval India· Prelims + Mains·
Historical administrative traditions vs. e-governance: a GS1 and GS2 case study on public administration.
Why in news
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah restored the 150-year-old Darbar Move tradition in Jammu and Kashmir, moving 151 departments and 10,000 employees from Srinagar to Jammu.
Background
The Darbar Move is a Dogra-era practice of biannual capital shifting between Srinagar (summer) and Jammu (winter). It was halted in June 2021 by LG Manoj Sinha to save ₹200 crore via e-office but resumed in 2025.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceSrinagar serves as the summer capital and Jammu as the winter capital for the Darbar Move.
- FactThe Darbar Move involves the shifting of 151 government departments and over 10,000 employees.
- FactThe move to the Valley occurs at the end of April, while the move back to Jammu occurs towards the end of October.
- FactThe practice dates back over 150 years to the Dogra era.
Prelims practice question
During the Darbar Move tradition in Jammu and Kashmir, which city serves as the summer capital?
- (a)Kathua
- (b)Leh
- (c)Udhampur
- (d)Srinagar
Show answer
Answer: (d) Srinagar — The note specifies that Srinagar serves as the summer capital and Jammu as the winter capital.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of the Darbar Move in the context of Jammu and Kashmir's administrative history and the trade-offs between traditional practices and modern e-governance.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Administrative continuity: Balancing historical Dogra-era traditions with modern logistical requirements.
- Fiscal vs. Cultural trade-offs: Evaluating the ₹200 crore annual savings of e-office against the socio-political significance of the Darbar Move.
- Logistical complexity: Managing the biannual relocation of 151 departments and 10,000 employees across different geographical terrains.
Keywords: Dogra era · Administrative tradition · e-governance · Srinagar-Jammu axis · Public administration
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