Jammu, November 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday formally marked the reopening of government offices in Jammu under the Darbar Move arrangement for the winter session of 2026–27. He was accorded a Guard of Honour by a contingent of Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu.
More than 100 government offices have resumed operations in Jammu following the seasonal shifting of the administration from Srinagar to the winter capital.
The reopening marks the return of administrative activities to Jammu for the winter months, with officials and departments expected to continue public services and routine government work from the city.
As part of the shifting process, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and 40 other government offices have moved to Jammu completely. Meanwhile, 50 designated offices have shifted in camp mode and will function with 33 per cent of their sanctioned staff strength or 10 employees, whichever is lower, unless separate instructions have been issued.
The Darbar Move is a nearly 150-year-old administrative tradition under which the Jammu and Kashmir government shifts its official headquarters between Srinagar and Jammu according to the seasons. Government offices function in Srinagar during the summer months, generally from May to October, before moving to Jammu for the winter period.
The practice was discontinued in 2021 by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration following the introduction of the e-office system, which enabled government departments to function digitally without requiring the physical movement of files.
However, the elected government restored the traditional arrangement in November 2025. Its continuation for the 2026–27 winter session marks another seasonal shift of the administration to Jammu.
