Jammu & Kashmir Politics & Governance

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Opens Budget Session

2 February 2026

Jammu and Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly opened its Budget Session with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, was scheduled to present the 2026–27 Budget on 6 February. Members were scheduled to debate a motion of thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s address from 3 to 5 February.

Key Facts

• Jammu and Kashmir’s unicameral Legislative Assembly is the union territory’s legislative arm.

India Rejects Arbitration Court’s Authority in Hydropower Dispute

3 February 2026

India rejected the authority of the arbitration court considering disputes involving the Baglihar and Kishenganga hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir. After the court sought operational data on the projects, India said it did not accept the court’s jurisdiction or orders.

Key Facts

• The Indus Waters Treaty provides arbitration or neutral-expert procedures for disputes or disagreements over river projects.
• The Permanent Court of Arbitration is an intergovernmental organization based in The Hague.

Omar Abdullah Presents Jammu and Kashmir’s 2026–27 Budget

6 February 2026

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented Jammu and Kashmir’s 2026–27 Budget in the Legislative Assembly. Announced measures included fast-track recruitment for more than 23,000 vacant government posts, 200 electric buses and a plan to convert 100 tribal villages into solar villages.

Key Facts

• The announced fast-track recruitment concerns more than 23,000 vacancies across government departments, targeting job-seeking youth.
• The proposed solar-village plan aims to expand renewable energy in 100 tribal villages.

Jammu & Kashmir History & Culture

Science and Technology in Jammu & Kashmir

Environment and Biodiversity in Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar and Gulmarg Record February Temperature Highs

23 February 2026

Srinagar recorded a February temperature of 21°C, exceeding its previous February high of 20.6°C, recorded in 2016. Gulmarg reached 11.5°C, breaking its reported February record from 1993.

Awards, Persons and Places in News in Jammu & Kashmir

Aapa Foods Receives SKUAST-Kashmir’s Best Agri-Food Brand Award

21 February 2026

Aapa Foods received the Best Agri-Food Brand Award from SKUAST-Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai. The recognition highlighted the brand’s traditional food heritage and development as a market identity.

The brand is guided by SKUAST-Kashmir’s Agricultural Branding Centre under HADP-04, which supports agricultural entrepreneurs through branding and market linkages.

Key Facts

• SKUAST-Kashmir’s Agricultural Branding Centre guides agri-food entrepreneurs in brand development and building market linkages.

Jammu & Kashmir in Sports

Jammu and Kashmir Reach First Ranji Trophy Semi-final

9 February 2026

Jammu and Kashmir defeated Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs in an Indore quarter-final to reach the Ranji Trophy semi-final for the first time. Fast bowler Aaqib Nabi took 12 wickets, including seven in the first innings and five in the second.

Key Facts

• The BCCI organises the Ranji Trophy, India’s annual domestic first-class cricket championship.

Jammu and Kashmir Reach First Ranji Trophy Final

18 February 2026

Jammu and Kashmir reached their first Ranji Trophy final after defeating Bengal by six wickets in the semi-final. Chasing 126, the team reached the target with four wickets down. Fast bowler Aaqib Nabi took nine wickets in the match.

Key Facts

• The BCCI organises the Ranji Trophy, India’s annual domestic first-class cricket championship.

Jammu and Kashmir Win Their First Ranji Trophy Title

28 February 2026

Jammu and Kashmir won its first Ranji Trophy title after taking a first-innings lead over Karnataka in the 2025–26 final. Jammu and Kashmir scored 584 in its first innings, while Karnataka was dismissed for 293; the teams later agreed to end the match with Jammu and Kashmir 342/4 in its second innings.

Qamran Iqbal scored an unbeaten 160 and Sahil Lotra made 101, sharing a 197-run partnership in the second innings.

Key Facts

• In a Ranji Trophy knockout match without an outright result, the team leading after the first innings advances as winner.