The body of Iqra Nisar Khan was found in Chee Darpora area last week, a police spokesperson said.
She was a resident of Ladibal, Bijbehara.
Accused Nasir Bashir Sheikh, a resident of Joyibal village in Veeri area of the south Kashmir district, confessed to the crime when he was interrogated by a Special Investigation Team on the basis of suspicion, he added.
He said jealously was the main motive behind the murder.
Other angles are being investigated and the case would be finalised after opinions are received from forensic and medical experts, he said.