Jammu and Kashmir special status to full integrity: constitutional and empirical analysis

Abstract

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution historically granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, shaping its legal, political, and socio-economic framework for decades. This paper critically examines the origins, evolution, and implications of Article 370, with particular emphasis on its abrogation in August 2019. Moving beyond doctrinal analysis, the study integrates empirical data up to 2024, including trends in tourism, security, and investment. The findings suggest that while the abrogation has facilitated administrative integration and economic expansion, its broader success depends on political normalization, democratic restoration, and sustained public trust. The paper contributes to contemporary debates on federalism, constitutional change, and national integration in India.