Omar Abdullah Restores 150-Year-Old Darbar Move, Secretariat Shifts to Srinagar

The Civil Secretariat , the seat of governance in Jammu and Kashmir, reopened in Srinagar on Monday, marking the continuation of the historic ‘Darbar Move’ a 150-year-old practice involving the biannual shifting of the government between the Union Territory’s two capitals.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour as offices resumed operations in the summer capital, a week after shutting down in Jammu.

In a statement posted on the official handle of the Chief Minister’s Office, the move was described as a “renewed continuity of governance” , signalling the administration’s commitment to restoring traditional administrative practices. The Darbar Move entails functioning from Jammu during the winter months and shifting to Srinagar in summer to ensure accessibility and governance across regions.

The practice dates back to 1872, when Maharaja Gulab Singh initiated the seasonal shift to counter extreme weather conditions in the region. It continued post-Independence as a means to balance administrative outreach between Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the tradition was halted in 2021 during the Lt Governor’s rule. It was revived in 2025 by Omar Abdullah , a year after he assumed office, restoring a longstanding administrative rhythm in the Union Territory.

Ahead of the Secretariat’s reopening, Srinagar witnessed a major facelift , with roads repaired, potholes filled, and public infrastructure upgraded to accommodate the returning administrative machinery.

The resumption of the Darbar Move underscores both historical continuity and administrative intent , as the government seeks to maintain its presence across regions through the year.