The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has published an important notification PDF regarding the revised office hours and court timings for District Courts in the Kashmir Division and the Union Territory of Ladakh. The official notification issued under Notification No. 3407 of 2025/RG/NG-03and on 11 of November 2025 prescribes new working hours for the winter period beginning 1 of December 2025 and continuing till 31 of March 2026. As winters are arriving with days short High Court regularly revises the schedule to ensure smooth functioning of the judiciary while keeping in view climatic conditions and public convenience. This notification officially lays down the session timings, break periods and overall functioning hours for courts across Kashmir and Ladakh.
📌 Effective Date of New Court Timings
The revised timings will be in force from:
1 of December 2025 to 31 of March 2026
After this period from 1 of April 2026, all District Courts will return to the timings prescribed in High Court Order No. 1638/NG dated 22-05-2020.
🧾 Revised Office & Court Timings – Complete Schedule
The High Court has published a detailed timetable dividing the daily work into two sessions, with a lunch break in between. Below is the full schedule for both Office Timing and Court Timing applicable for District Courts in Kashmir Division and the UT of Ladakh.
📊 Revised Timings Table (Winter 2025–26)
Office Timing
| Division | 1st Session | Break | 2nd Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kashmir & UT of Ladakh | 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM | 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM | 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM |
Court Timing
| Division | 1st Session | Break | 2nd Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kashmir & UT of Ladakh | 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
These timings apply strictly to all District Courts under the jurisdiction of the Kashmir Wing of the High Court and the UT of Ladakh.
📘 Why the High Court Revises Court Timings Every Winter
The Kashmir region and Ladakh experience long winter months characterized by:
- Because of Low temperatures
- There is Delayed sunrise
- Also Early sunset
- Winter Challenging travel conditions
- Very Slow public movement because of temperature fall.
To maintain judiciary accessibility and ensure smoother court operations, the High Court annually revises the working hours for District Courts. This modification helps:
- Provide sufficient daylight for commute
- Facilitate scheduling for advocates, litigants, and staff
- Prevent inconvenience caused by harsh weather
- Improve courtroom productivity during winter months
📌 Applicability of the Notification
The notification applies to the following:
✔ All District Courts in Kashmir Division
Including but not limited to:
- Srinagar
- Ganderbal
- Budgam
- Pulwama
- Shopian
- Anantnag
- Kulgam
- Kupwara
- Bandipora
- Baramulla
✔ All District Courts in UT of Ladakh
- Leh
- Kargil
The schedule is mandatory for all judicial officers, court staff, and litigants visiting any of these courts during the winter period.
📑 Important Points Highlighted in the Notification
- The revised timings will remain valid strictly from 1 of December 2025 to 31 of March 2026.
- From 1 of April 2026 all courts will revert to the timings specified in High Court Order No. 1638/NG (22 May 2020).
- The changes apply to both Office Hours and Court Hours.
- The notification has been issued by the Registrar General (O), Shri M. K. Sharma.
- All concerned departments, judicial officers, bar associations, and stakeholders must adhere to the new schedule.
📬 Legal & Administrative Importance of Timely Notification
Courts function under strict procedural schedules, and even minor shifts in timings affect:
- Filing deadlines
- Hearing schedules
- Movement of judicial files
- Advisory notices
- Availability of court staff
- Accessibility for litigants
Timely communication of such notifications ensures:
- Efficient justice delivery
- Proper coordination among advocates
- Minimum disruption in court proceedings
- Clarity for administrative planning
The High Court’s proactive approach helps maintain judicial discipline during winter months.
🔍 Comparison with Previous Timings (Optional Insight)
winter timings were largely similar indicating a consistent approach. The slight adjustments in break durations or session lengths accommodate:
- Local weather realities
- Transport availability
- Bar association feedback
- Administrative convenience
By aligning with traditional winter court schedules, the High Court aims to uphold consistency and predictability.
📎 Official Notification Details (Summary Table)
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh |
| Office | Registrar General at Jammu |
| Notification Number | 3407 of 2025/RG/NG-03(I) |
| Date Issued | 11 of November 2025 |
| Effective Dates | 1 of December 2025 to 31 of March 2026 |
| Applicable Areas | Kashmir Division & UT of Ladakh |
| Signed By | M. K. Sharma, Registrar General (O) |
| Reversion Date | 1 April 2026 |
| Previous Order | 1638/NG dated 22-05-2020 |
📝 Conclusion
The High Court Kashmir Court Timings 2025 notification provides a clear and structured winter schedule for District Courts across Kashmir Division and the UT of Ladakh. The revised office and court timings, effective from 1 December 2025, are designed to balance administrative efficiency with the practical challenges posed by the harsh winter months.
Official Notification download
