Full Breakdown
2022026 Darbar Move: Schedule, Logistics and Political Context
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
The “Darbar Move” is a bi-annual relocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s civil secretariat between Srinagar and Jammu. Initiated in 1872 by a Dogra ruler—sources differ on whether it was Maharaja Gulab Singh or Maharaja Ranbir Singh—the practice was created to avoid extreme seasonal climates. After the state’s accession to India in 1947, the tradition continued.
In June 2021, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha halted the move, citing a digital e-office system that could save roughly INR200 crore annually. The suspension lasted four years. Following the 2025 state elections, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revived the Darbar Move, fulfilling a National Conference manifesto promise. The historic return was marked on 3 Nov 2025, when offices moved back to the winter capital.
Timeline
- 20 Oct 2026 – Government announced the upcoming shift from Srinagar to Jammu.
- 27 Oct 2026 – Advance ticketing for employee transport to begin at Civil Secretariat and JKRTC counters.
- 30 Oct 2026 – Offices with a five-day week will close in Srinagar after office hours.
- 31 Oct 2026 – Offices with a six-day week will close in Srinagar after office hours.
- 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026 – JKRTC will operate buses; each convoy will include a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshop units.
- 2 Nov 2026 – All offices will reopen in Jammu, completing the winter-capital shift.
Data & Statistics
- Departments involved: Approximately 151 or 51, depending on the source.
- Employees affected: About 9,000 to more than 10,000.
- Staffing cap for “in-camp” offices: Up to 33 % of total staff or 10 officials, whichever is lower.
- Travel allowance: INR25,000 per employee.
- Transport resources: Buses to be provided on 31 Oct and 1 Nov; tickets issued from 27 Oct.
Official Statements & Responses
The order requires “in-camp” offices to retain only the stipulated staff proportion and mandates a Winter Secretariat in Srinagar with one gazetted officer and four non-gazetted officials. The Health and Medical Education Department will set up medical aid points at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur and Jhajjar Kotli during transit.
A government spokesperson confirmed JKRTC will arrange the bus fleet, tickets are available for advance booking from 27 Oct, police escort is mandated for all convoys, and priority passage will be given through the Banihal-Qazigund and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnels.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Founding ruler: The Hindu attributes the 1872 inception to Gulab Singh; Hindustan Times cites Ranbir Singh.
- Number of departments: Reports vary between 151 and 51.
- Employee count: Estimates range from about 9,000 to “more than 10,000”.
These discrepancies underscore the need for a consolidated official inventory of participating agencies and personnel.
The 2026 Darbar Move proceeds under a detailed logistical framework, reflecting the tradition’s historic roots and contemporary concerns about efficiency, cost and regional integration.