Most of Kashmir’s main circuit — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg — needs no special permit for Indian citizens; a valid photo ID is enough. Where the Inner Line Permit (ILP) actually matters is the areas closer to the Line of Control and border districts: parts of Gurez, Bangus, Keran, and stretches near the Zojila and Sonamarg approach roads that fall under restricted zones from time to time.
Foreign nationals face a slightly different picture — some areas require prior permission through a registered tour operator, and this changes with the security situation, so treat any fixed rule as provisional and verify close to your travel dates.
In practice: for the mainstream circuit, don’t worry about permits at all. For Gurez, Bangus, or anything near the LoC, apply through the district magistrate’s office in the relevant district (usually Bandipora for Gurez) with ID proof and a stated itinerary — this typically takes a few working days, so build that into your planning, not your arrival day.
Good to know: rules shift with the season and the security situation more than any other part of trip planning here — check the current requirement with a local operator or the district administration within a week of travel, not months in advance.