Part of: Jammu And Kashmir Gk set 5

Which Indian state has a separate consitution?

Category: Jammu And Kashmir Gk

Hint: Consider the unique political history of certain Indian states.

Correct Answer: B) Jammu & Kashmir.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question pertains to the unique constitutional status of Indian states. In the context of the Indian Constitution, Jammu & Kashmir holds a special place due to its historical and political circumstances. The state was granted a separate constitution under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which provided it with a degree of autonomy and self-governance that was not available to other states in India.

Article 370 was a temporary provision that allowed Jammu & Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag, and a degree of autonomy in governance. This provision was unique to Jammu & Kashmir and was not extended to any other state in India. The state had its own legislative assembly and could make laws on all matters except those related to defense, foreign affairs, and communications, which were under the purview of the central government.

However, it is important to note that the situation changed significantly in 2019. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government abrogated Article 370, which effectively revoked the special status of Jammu & Kashmir. Following this, the state was reorganized into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This reorganization marked a significant shift in the constitutional status of the region, and it no longer has a separate constitution as it did under Article 370.

Other states in India, such as West Bengal, Haryana, and Goa, do not have a separate constitution. They are governed under the Indian Constitution and do not have the special provisions that Jammu & Kashmir once had. Each of these states follows the same constitutional framework as other states in India, with no special autonomy or separate constitutional status.

Understanding the historical and political context of Jammu & Kashmir is crucial to comprehending its unique constitutional status. The special provisions granted to Jammu & Kashmir under Article 370 were a result of the complex political and social dynamics of the region, and the abrogation of this article in 2019 marked a significant change in the governance structure of the state.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: West Bengal does not have a separate constitution. It is a regular state in India with no special constitutional status.
  • Option B: Jammu & Kashmir is the correct answer as it was the only state in India with a separate constitution under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, although this status was abrogated in 2019.
  • Option C: Haryana does not have a separate constitution. It is a regular state in India with no special constitutional status.
  • Option D: Goa does not have a separate constitution. It is a regular state in India with no special constitutional status.

Mnemonic: J&K has a unique "J" for "Jammu & Kashmir" and "J" for "Jurisdiction".

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