EDUCATION

Director Colleges reviews academic preparedness, student-centric initiatives of Kashmir colleges

Editor January 22, 2026 0

Baramulla,  Jan 22: Director Colleges, Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir Thursday convened a comprehensive meeting of Principals of all Government Degree Colleges (GDC) of the Kashmir division.

The meeting was convened at Conference Hall of Government Degree College Baramulla to assess academic preparedness, reinforcing governance mechanisms and strengthening student-focused institutional practices across the Division.

In his address, the Director Colleges emphasised institutional cohesion, academic discipline and outcome-oriented governance as the foundational pillars for improving the quality of higher education. 

A detailed review of the Department’s digital governance was undertaken, reiterating the Planning and Development Portal of the Directorate of Colleges as the sole authenticated platform for institutional data, real-time reporting and delivery of online staff services.

Principals were advised to ensure accuracy, regular updating and verification of institutional data to enable informed policy planning.

It was also highlighted that the Department’s digital interventions, particularly the engagement of need-based Academic Arrangements during the current academic session, have been widely observed across colleges to significantly enhance operational efficiency, simplify processes and strengthen transparency.

The meeting reviewed college-wise performance under the Connect with Policy Planning and Development Initiative, with emphasis on timely data submission and institutional responsiveness.

Principals were informed that sustained engagement in data-driven governance will continue to play a critical role in development and administrative decision-making.

Institutional development initiatives were deliberated in detail, including the functioning of Institutional Innovation Councils, the expansion of eYantra Labs, the implementation of SWAYAM Local Chapters for the promotion of blended education.

The Action Taken Report (ATR) on eYantra was reviewed specifically, during which the Director Colleges directed all eYantra-enabled colleges to constitute one or more student teams for participation in the UT-level Hackathon proposed to be rolled out shortly, and participation of student teams trained by colleges in the national eYantra competitions organised and conducted by IIT Bombay.

Student welfare and engagement mechanisms received focused attention, particularly the strengthening of the Mentor–Mentee Programme for academic and psychosocial support, structured sports and co-curricular inclusive framework, and the department’s institutional strategy for countering substance abuse through awareness, vigilance and early identification of vulnerabilities.

The Student Integrated Grievance and Messaging Application (SIGMA) portal was reviewed comprehensively, with college-wise registration performance shared.

Principals were encouraged to further enhance student onboarding and effective utilisation of the platform to ensure secure and time-bound Messaging to students and timely grievance redressal.

The Director Colleges informed the meeting about the rollout of the 
Student Connect for Academic Leverage and Excellence (SCALE) initiative, envisioned as a comprehensive student outreach programme to offer continuous guidance on NEP-2020, academic mobility, progression pathways and career planning in all Government Degree Colleges.

The meeting also reviewed the status of ongoing developmental works being executed under various budget heads.

Principals were advised to maintain close coordination with executing agencies and ensure regular monitoring of project timelines and quality parameters.

Concluding the deliberations, the Director Colleges reiterated that teaching and non-teaching staff are the primary drivers of institutional quality and urged Principals to cultivate a supportive and motivated work environment.

He called upon all institutions to collectively advance the Department’s mission through transparency, accountability and student-centric governance, so that Government Degree Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir continue to emerge as vibrant centres of academic excellence and societal transformation.

Popular post
Sopore scientist gains global recognition for black hole research

Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.

Class 10th, 12th result on Wednesday: Govt

Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.

Class 10th results soon after appointment of new Chairman: JKBOSE

'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.

AIP condemns Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks, rejects profiling of religious places

Srinagar, Jan 17: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Saturday strongly condemned PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti’s statement suggesting that if religious places are to be “profiled”, the process should start with temples and Hindu priests, instead of mosques and Imams. Inam Un Nabi said AIP was categorically against profiling of any religious place, irrespective of faith or community and such statements only deepen mistrust and polarisation in society. “Let it be Masjids and Imaams or temples and priests, profiling of religious institutions is unacceptable. AIP rejects it completely. Had the issue involved only temples or priests, AIP would have shown the same resentment and protest as we do for Masjids and Imaams,” he said. The AIP spokesperson said faith is a matter of personal conscience and religious belief and it should not be dragged into a culture of surveillance or administrative interference. “We do not want policing of faith. The role of the administration is to ensure peace and law and order, not to monitor religious identity or religious spaces,” Inam Un Nabi added. He appealed to all political parties to act responsibly and avoid statements that pit one community against another, stressing that Kashmir has a long history of communal harmony which must be protected. “AIP stands for dignity, equality and justice for all. We will oppose any attempt that targets places of worship, whichever religion it belongs to,” he said.

Sports achievements reflect strength of youth: Satish Sharma

Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. “As Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,” he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states  along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.

Education

View more
Director Colleges reviews academic preparedness, student-centric initiatives of Kashmir colleges

Baramulla,  Jan 22: Director Colleges, Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir Thursday convened a comprehensive meeting of Principals of all Government Degree Colleges (GDC) of the Kashmir division. The meeting was convened at Conference Hall of Government Degree College Baramulla to assess academic preparedness, reinforcing governance mechanisms and strengthening student-focused institutional practices across the Division. In his address, the Director Colleges emphasised institutional cohesion, academic discipline and outcome-oriented governance as the foundational pillars for improving the quality of higher education.  A detailed review of the Department’s digital governance was undertaken, reiterating the Planning and Development Portal of the Directorate of Colleges as the sole authenticated platform for institutional data, real-time reporting and delivery of online staff services. Principals were advised to ensure accuracy, regular updating and verification of institutional data to enable informed policy planning. It was also highlighted that the Department’s digital interventions, particularly the engagement of need-based Academic Arrangements during the current academic session, have been widely observed across colleges to significantly enhance operational efficiency, simplify processes and strengthen transparency. The meeting reviewed college-wise performance under the Connect with Policy Planning and Development Initiative, with emphasis on timely data submission and institutional responsiveness. Principals were informed that sustained engagement in data-driven governance will continue to play a critical role in development and administrative decision-making. Institutional development initiatives were deliberated in detail, including the functioning of Institutional Innovation Councils, the expansion of eYantra Labs, the implementation of SWAYAM Local Chapters for the promotion of blended education. The Action Taken Report (ATR) on eYantra was reviewed specifically, during which the Director Colleges directed all eYantra-enabled colleges to constitute one or more student teams for participation in the UT-level Hackathon proposed to be rolled out shortly, and participation of student teams trained by colleges in the national eYantra competitions organised and conducted by IIT Bombay. Student welfare and engagement mechanisms received focused attention, particularly the strengthening of the Mentor–Mentee Programme for academic and psychosocial support, structured sports and co-curricular inclusive framework, and the department’s institutional strategy for countering substance abuse through awareness, vigilance and early identification of vulnerabilities. The Student Integrated Grievance and Messaging Application (SIGMA) portal was reviewed comprehensively, with college-wise registration performance shared. Principals were encouraged to further enhance student onboarding and effective utilisation of the platform to ensure secure and time-bound Messaging to students and timely grievance redressal. The Director Colleges informed the meeting about the rollout of the  Student Connect for Academic Leverage and Excellence (SCALE) initiative, envisioned as a comprehensive student outreach programme to offer continuous guidance on NEP-2020, academic mobility, progression pathways and career planning in all Government Degree Colleges. The meeting also reviewed the status of ongoing developmental works being executed under various budget heads. Principals were advised to maintain close coordination with executing agencies and ensure regular monitoring of project timelines and quality parameters. Concluding the deliberations, the Director Colleges reiterated that teaching and non-teaching staff are the primary drivers of institutional quality and urged Principals to cultivate a supportive and motivated work environment. He called upon all institutions to collectively advance the Department’s mission through transparency, accountability and student-centric governance, so that Government Degree Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir continue to emerge as vibrant centres of academic excellence and societal transformation.

Editor January 22, 2026 0

College allocation issue of MBBS candidates of SMVD College resolved: CM Omar Abdullah

Govt constitutes committee to examine fees charged by private schools

GVEI holds felicitation ceremony for Class 10, 12 top performers

TCI Cement awards scholarship to Handwara student

Srinagar, Jan 21: Trumboo Cement Industries Private Limited (TCI Cement) has awarded a scholarship of Ra one lac to Faizan Majeed Malik, an exceptional student from Handwara, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. A company official said that the scholarship recognises Faizan’s remarkable determination and academic achievement. Despite severe financial hardship and having attended school in a tin shed, he secured 488 out of 500 marks in the Class 10 board examinations. The official stated that the financial support is aimed at facilitating Faizan’s pursuit of higher education. He added that the initiative underscores TCI Cement’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities and supporting deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds. (KNS)

Editor January 21, 2026 0

PSAJK seeks syllabus relaxation for Jammu division students in JKBOSE exams

NIT Srinagar hosts ‘Life Beyond Classroom’ interaction with alumnus Dr. Pradeep Tyle

Students must act as drivers of change, emerge as Job givers: Ram Niwas Sharma

JKBOSE website to remain down for few days for system upgradation

Jammu, Jan 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) official website, www.jkbose.nic.in, will remain temporarily inaccessible for a period of four to five days from January 19, 2026. As per a public notice issued by the JKBOSE, the temporary shutdown is being undertaken to upgrade the system in accordance with revised operational requirements.  "Consequently, all online facilities hosted on the website will remain unavailable during this period," the JKBOSE notice reads. The services that will remain suspended include submission of re-evaluation applications and requests for photocopies of answer scripts, among others. JKBOSE has regretted the inconvenience caused to students, parents and stakeholders and has appealed for patience and cooperation until the upgradation process is completed and services are resumed.

Editor January 16, 2026 0

'Support your children through setback, they will bounce back stronger'

Qayoom Wani welcomes timely declaration of Class 10, 12 results

Students who couldn’t clear exams must not lose hope: Sakina Itoo

0 Comments