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Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

POK is a central component of the India-Pakistan dispute, impacting India's territorial integrity, foreign policy, and regional security. UPSC candidates must understand its historical context, legal status, internal governance issues, and human rights situation, which often fuel local unrest and international attention.

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) refers to the portion of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that is administered by Pakistan. India considers POK an integral part of its territory, illegally occupied by Pakistan, making its status a core bilateral and geopolitical issue, often marked by internal governance challenges and human rights concerns.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

India's constitutional claim

POK is part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (now UTs of J&K and Ladakh) under Article 1 of the Indian Constitution.

Administrative divisions

POK is broadly divided into 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir' (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, both administered by Pakistan with varying degrees of autonomy.

Line of Control (LoC)

The de facto border between Indian-administered Kashmir and POK, established after the 1948 ceasefire.

Governance challenges

The region faces issues of economic disparity, limited democratic rights, and concerns over state repression, as highlighted by local civil society movements like the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndia-Pakistan Relations
Conceptual areaKashmir Dispute
Conceptual areaHuman Rights

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
United NationsMediates/observes
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • India claims POK as integral part of J&K.
  • Administered by Pakistan, divided into AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
  • LoC is the de facto border.
  • Region faces economic grievances, governance issues, and human rights concerns.
  • Civil society groups like JAAC protest against state policies and repression.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

International RelationsOpen question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

International RelationsOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

International RelationsOpen question
2023Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

International RelationsOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 2. The demand that Bangla has to be on...

International RelationsOpen question
2017Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

International RelationsOpen question
2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

India-Pakistan RelationsKashmir DisputeHuman Rights
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 2. The demand that Bangla has to be on...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

Open question

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

Open question

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

Open question

CPI(M), PDP condemn killings by security forces in POK

29 Jul 2026 · POK is the Pakistan-administered part of J&K, claimed by India. It's divided into AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, separated by the LoC. The region faces governance issues, economic grievances, and human rights concerns, leading to civil society protests.

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Related topics

Current topic

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)

Often confused with

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and its Governance Challenges

Open notesOften confused with

India-Pakistan Relations

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It ...

2024·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ? 1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Tran...

2026·International Relations
Solve

What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?

2017·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 2. The demand that Bangla has to be on...

2021·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following statements : Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the 'Trade and Techn...

2023·International Relations
Solve

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

2015·International Relations
Solve

Consider the following pairs : Regions : often Reason for being in news 1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan 2. Nagorno-Karabakh : In...

2023·International Relations
Solve

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists : | List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) | |---|-...

2026·International Relations
Solve

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