The Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs
Act details
| Short title | The Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the extension of certain laws to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. |
| Act number | 62 of 1956 |
| Act year | 1956 |
| Enactment date | 25 Sep 1956 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs |
| Department | Department of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 6 |
| Schedules | 1 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 4 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956
Key Provisions:
1. Extension of Central Laws
o The Act empowered the Central Government to extend certain laws enacted by Parliament to Jammu and Kashmir.
o The extended laws became applicable to the State subject to modifications and adaptations specified in the Act.
2. Application with Modifications
o The Central Government could make necessary adaptations and modifications while extending laws to ensure their effective implementation in Jammu and Kashmir.
o Such modifications were intended to suit the administrative and constitutional conditions of the State.
3. Amendment and Repeal of Existing Laws
o The Act provided for necessary amendments or repeals of inconsistent provisions in existing laws.
o It helped avoid conflicts between extended Central laws and State laws.
Legislative history
Legislative History: The Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956
Source: Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs
Key Legislative Metadata
Legislative Stage /Attribute Official Details
Act Title The Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956
Act Number Act No. 62 of 1956
Act ID (India Code) 195662
Presidential Assent date September 25, 1956
Enforcement Date November 1, 1956
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Home Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
1. Constitutional Integration & Article 370 Orders: Following the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, several legislative matters under the Union List were applied to the State of Jammu and Kashmir with the concurrence of the State Government.
2. Extension of Central Parliamentary Enactments: Enacted to formally extend a comprehensive list of Central statutes (covering subjects like census, criminal law, court-fees, oaths, administrator-general, and specific regulatory measures specified in its Schedule) to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing corresponding state laws and integrating the territory into the national legal framework.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation: Introduced by the Home Ministry as part of the broader legal and constitutional harmonisation process following the 1954 Presidential Order.
● Parliamentary passage: Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (First Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) in September 1956.
● Presidential Assent: Received Presidential Assent on September 25, 1956.
● Enforcement: Enforced on November 1, 1956.