J&K Government Restores Darbar Move After Four Years

The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced the revival of the historic Darbar Move after a four-year hiatus. This traditional practice involves the biannual relocation of government offices between Srinagar and Jammu, and the upcoming Winter Season 2025–26 marks its resumption. The move aims to maintain administrative continuity, preserve cultural tradition, and ensure the welfare of government employees during the transition.

Under the new guidelines, certain departments will be fully relocated to Jammu, while others will operate with a minimum of 10 officials or 33% of their staff, whichever is lower. Offices following a five-day workweek in Srinagar will close on October 31, and six-day workweek offices will close on November 1. All relocated offices are scheduled to reopen in Jammu on Monday, November 3.

To facilitate the move, the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) will provide adequate buses on November 1 and 2, with each convoy supported by a crane and two empty buses to handle any breakdowns en route. Medical teams will also be stationed at key transit points, including Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur, and Jhajjar Kotli, to ensure employee safety.

Employees participating in the move will receive a special Transfer Allowance (TA) of ₹25,000. Non-gazetted staff will also receive advance salary payments, recoverable in installments, with October salaries disbursed on October 31 for all Darbar Move employees.

The restoration of the Darbar Move underscores the J&K government’s commitment to upholding administrative traditions while prioritizing employee welfare and creating a smooth and secure transition process.