Article 370 grants Jammu and Kashmir autonomous status, allowing it to operate under a different set of laws compared to other Indian states. This autonomy means that while defense, foreign affairs, and finance are uniform across India, all other laws require the state government's approval. The article was intended as a temporary provision during India's independence but lacks a specified time limit for its application. Its contentious nature arises from issues like dual citizenship for residents and restrictions on property ownership by outsiders; these have led some to challenge its validity in court.