Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu/Srinagar, October 16, 2025: In a major administrative notification, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued Government Order No. 1357-JK(GAD) of 2025, officially commencing the annual Darbar Move of offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the Winter Season 2025-26. The move, approved by the Council of Ministers on September 23, 2025, marks the continuation of the century-old practice aimed at ensuring administrative continuity across both divisions of the Union Territory.
According to the order, offices listed in Annexure ‘A’ will move in full, while those listed in Annexure ‘B’ will move in camp, with a limited staff strength of either 33% of employees or a maximum of 10 officials, whichever is lower. Offices observing a five-day week will close in Srinagar on October 31, 2025 (Friday), whereas offices observing a six-day week will shut on November 1, 2025 (Saturday). All offices will resume work in Jammu on November 3, 2025 (Monday).
The Darbar Move, a practice dating back over a century, was temporarily suspended in 2021, disrupting the long-standing tradition of seasonal administrative shifts. The suspension had adversely affected Jammu’s local economy, particularly the hospitality, transport, and retail sectors that benefit from the influx of government employees and associated footfall. The practice was recently revived following an announcement by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the current move is being seen as a major step toward restoring normalcy and economic activity in Jammu, providing a boost to hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local businesses that rely heavily on the presence of government offices and employees during the winter months.
The move will involve extensive logistical arrangements. Jammu & Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has been tasked with providing sufficient buses in good condition to transport employees to Jammu on November 1 and 2, with advance ticket bookings starting October 27, 2025, both from the Civil Secretariat and main JKRTC counters. Each convoy will be accompanied by a crane, two empty buses, and mobile workshops to ensure uninterrupted travel, even in case of vehicle breakdowns.
Security and medical arrangements have also been meticulously planned. The J&K Police will escort all convoys along the route, ensuring priority passage through the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel and the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel. The Health & Medical Education Department will set up medical aid facilities at strategic points including Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur, and Jhajjar Kotli to provide timely assistance to employees en route.
To support employees financially, the government has sanctioned a Special Move Travel Allowance (TA) of ₹25,000 per employee, applicable only to those moving within the prescribed dates. Non-gazetted employees may also avail advance salary, which will be recoverable in installments. Salaries for the month of October 2025 for all moving offices will be disbursed on October 31, 2025. Additionally, five days of special casual leave will be granted to employees from Kashmir who do not have accommodation in Jammu, though leave during move days will generally be restricted to exceptional circumstances.
The Estates Department will provide accommodation to officers and officials moving under the Darbar Move as per past practices. However, employees are prohibited from occupying any government or municipal accommodation without proper allotment. Those retaining Srinagar accommodation for family use must inform the Estates Department under approved terms.
Food and essential supplies will also be ensured. The Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department will set up ration counters in residential colonies of moving employees to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.
Key administrative offices moving in full include the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Civil Secretariat Treasury, Directorates of Youth Services & Sports, Horticulture, Education, Rural Development, Women & Child Development, and several other crucial departments. Offices moving in camp with limited staff include the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), Directorates of Health, Skill Development, ERA, Mission Youth, ICPS, and related offices.
The Civil Secretariat in Srinagar will function as the Winter Secretariat, ensuring uninterrupted governance in Kashmir. All administrative departments are directed to detach staff from subordinate offices in Kashmir by October 27, 2025, and the SSP (Security) of the Civil Secretariat will withdraw temporary identity cards and submit reports before Srinagar office closure.
Officials have described this year’s Darbar Move as a well-coordinated exercise combining logistics, security, employee welfare, and administrative continuity. With meticulous planning for transport, security, medical aid, accommodation, salaries, and allowances, the 2025-26 Winter Darbar Move is set to follow a structured schedule, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustaining this time-honored administrative tradition while also revitalizing economic activity in Jammu.
