J&K Demographics & 20-District Census Data

Predominant in all 10 Kashmir Division districts. Also majority in Rajouri and Poonch (Jammu Division). Sunni Islam is the dominant school; Shia communities present in Kargil (Ladakh) and parts of Kashmir.

Majority in Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur districts. Includes Dogra Rajputs, Brahmin communities, and Kashmiri Pandits (largely displaced from the Valley since 1990).

Concentrated in urban centres of Jammu and Srinagar. Sikh community has historical roots in J&K from the Sikh Empire period (early 19th century) and maintains significant commercial presence.

Primarily in Ladakh (now a separate UT). Leh district is Buddhist-majority (Tibetan Buddhist); Kargil is Shia Muslim-majority. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries (gompas) dot the Ladakhi landscape.

Gujjars & Bakarwals

The largest Scheduled Tribe community in J&K (est. 2.7 million). Semi-nomadic pastoralists who practice transhumance — moving cattle between low-altitude winter pastures (deras) and high-altitude summer pastures (dhodhs). They speak Gojri. Their forest rights and habitation tenure are governed by the Forest Rights Act 2006. Traditional lifestyle is increasingly challenged by modernisation and forest regulations.

Kashmiri Pandits

The indigenous Hindu Brahmin community of Kashmir Valley. Historically the administrative and scholarly class. An estimated 3–4 lakh Pandits fled the Valley in 1989-90 during the insurgency. Now largely settled in Jammu, Delhi and other cities. The community is culturally distinctive with its own dialect (Kashmiri Pandit dialect), cuisine, and religious tradition (Kashmiri Shaivism). Return and rehabilitation remains a sensitive political issue.

Dogra Rajputs

The dominant community of Jammu Division. Dogra Rajput rulers, led by Maharaja Gulab Singh, established the Dogra Dynasty in 1846 under the Treaty of Amritsar. Dogras are known for their military tradition (Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army) and distinctive Dogra culture, cuisine and language. They form the majority in Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, and Samba districts.

Pahari People

Hill communities of Pir Panjal range — particularly in Rajouri, Poonch and adjacent areas. The Pahari people were granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status under the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act, 2024 — a landmark recognition. They speak Pahari, a Rajasthani-derived Indo-Aryan language. Population estimated at 8–10 lakh.

Major Urban Centres

Urban vs Rural (2011)

J&K is primarily rural. Urban growth rate was 37% (2001-2011) — above national average.

Age & Gender Profile