Srinagar Feb 15: In a first instance of its kind, a top IAS officer Saturday got an additional charge of Registrar of a J&K University, taking many by surprise.
As per the order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza (JKAS), Registrar Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri was transferred and asked to wait in GAD for further orders.
"The officer is deemed to be relieved with immediate effect," the GAD order reads.
The order has been issued by the order of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
As per the order, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma, an IAS officer, has been assigned the charge of Registrar BGSBU.
"Abhisek Sharma, DC Rajouri shall hold the additional charge of Registrar BGSBU, in addition to his own duties till further orders," the order reads.
The move has taken the stakeholders by surprise who say that the government was promoting bureaucratic control in Educational institutions.
"It started from the past few years when the J&K government posted a JKAS officer as Secretary JK Board of school education. Now, it is being done in Universities," a senior professor said, wishing not to be named.
He said earlier only academics were preferred for their posting or deputation as Chairman JKBOSE and Secretary.
"But now, the government has done away with that practice. We have apprehensions that the same things will be done in Universities as well," he said.
He said earlier a JKAS officer was posted as Registrar of the University and now an IAS officer has been given the charge.
"The government should not give control of the educational institutions in the hands of bureaucrats," the professor said.
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.
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.
'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.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. “Such remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. “Every success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,” he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the country’s most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
Srinagar, Mar 11: Nearly 45 percent of students studying up to Class 12 in Kashmir report sub-optimal mental wellbeing, with older students more exposed to technology but experiencing poorer psychological outcomes, a recent study has found. The study comes at a time when several southern States in India are considering restrictions on social media use among teenagers due to growing concerns over its impact on mental health. Published this year in the Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, the survey titled “Nexus Between Social Media Use and Mental Health Outcomes among High School Students in Kashmir” assessed nearly 400 students from Class 7 to Class 12 from both rural and urban areas of the Valley. Researchers evaluated students’ patterns of technology use, including social media activity, video gaming, virtual friendships, internet browsing and smartphone dependency, and analysed their association with psychological wellbeing. The findings revealed that 44.3 percent of students were experiencing poor to moderate psychological wellbeing, with older students reporting comparatively worse outcomes. The study also highlighted anxiety linked to the inability to access digital platforms. More than 14 percent of students reported moderate to high anxiety when they were unable to send text messages. Similarly, over 17 percent of respondents experienced moderate to very high anxiety when they could not make phone calls, while around 12 percent reported similar levels of anxiety when unable to access Facebook or other social networking platforms. Students also reported distress when unable to use other digital communication tools. According to the study, at least 13 percent felt moderate to very high anxiety when they could not access personal email, while around 10 percent experienced similar anxiety when unable to check work emails or voicemail. Among different forms of technology use, video gaming showed the strongest negative correlation with students’ psychological wellbeing, followed by internet searching, smartphone use and text messaging. The research also found higher levels of technology use among male students compared to female students, particularly in smartphone usage, gaming and social networking activities. A small proportion of students showed moderate to high engagement with certain technologies, including online friendships (3.6 percent), video gaming (2.8 percent), phone calling (2 percent), television viewing (1.6 percent), text messaging (1.2 percent) and social media friendships (0.8 percent). The study emphasised the need for policy interventions within schools to address the impact of excessive social media use on students’ mental health. “Schools should develop computer and information competency programmes to educate students about the potential risks of excessive social media use and to equip them with strategies to manage technology dependence,” the study suggested. Researchers also recommended integrating mental health service programmes in schools, including counselling support to help students cope with stress and anxiety linked to online behaviour. “Counselling and educational programmes can motivate students to develop healthier online habits and encourage them to seek help when faced with technology-related stress,” the study noted. The study further urged parents to guide children in responsible screen use, promote offline social interactions, and engage in open discussions about social media in order to mitigate the harmful effects of excessive digital engagement. It also called on policymakers to promote digital wellness policies, including safer web use programmes, age-appropriate content filtering, and the creation of online spaces that encourage responsible social media behaviour. According to official figures, the total student enrolment from pre-primary to Class 12 in Kashmir stood at around 26.17 lakh during the 2024–25 academic year, underscoring the scale of the issue and the need for timely intervention.
Srinagar, March 8: The faculty at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora have secured significant research funding under the Sponsored Research & Extension Programme (SREP 2025–26) of the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKST&IC), Department of Science & Technology, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Vice Chancellor IUST Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo thanked the Government for the grant and said that the funding support from JKST&IC will further strengthen research capacity at IUST while addressing regional challenges through science-driven solutions. "The initiative will also help researchers undertake advanced studies, develop technological interventions and contribute to policy-relevant outcomes benefiting society and the environment," he said. The grant reflects on IUST’s growing research profile and its commitment to promoting innovation, knowledge creation and impactful research aligned with regional and national priorities. The approved projects span a wide spectrum of emerging and critical research areas including artificial intelligence, healthcare technology, food safety, environmental monitoring and sustainable livelihoods. The funded studies include an AI-based translation and restoration of rare manuscripts, development of an IoT-enabled smart infusion system for patient safety and AI-driven microbial safety assessment of fresh produce in Kashmir. Other projects focus on microplastic contamination in packaged food, enhancing livelihoods of marginal bee farmers using artificial intelligence for geographical discrimination of honey and development of a geospatial model for real-time monitoring of construction activity around Dal–Nigeen Lake and associated wetlands in Srinagar. These projects are being led by faculty members from various departments of the university including Electronics & Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Food Technology and Environment Sustainability & Climate Change, reflecting the institution’s strong interdisciplinary research culture.
Srinagar, Feb 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said border villages in the region are no longer symbols of conflict but have emerged as “symbols of connection,” as the government partners with the Centre to promote tourism in these areas. Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, CM Omar said his government was working to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a hub of innovation and knowledge-based industries, while ensuring inclusive and sustainable development. He hailed the graduating students as the “spring of J&K in full bloom" and underlined key challenges facing the region, including climate change, agricultural transformation and youth mental health. “We are meeting at a pivotal moment,” Omar said, referring to the recently presented 2026–27 budget. Describing it as a “fiscal compass,” he said the budget reflects the government’s intent to build a modern, progressive and economically vibrant Jammu and Kashmir. “For decades, we were defined by tourism alone or agriculture alone. The J&K of 2026 is evolving into a centre of innovation and participatory governance,” he said, acknowledging that the region has faced economic setbacks following the trauma of 2025. “Our resilience has defined us,” Omar added. The Chief Minister said his government’s vision rests on three pillars—meritocracy, sustainability and digital sovereignty. On tourism, Omar said the government is moving beyond traditional destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam by promoting border tourism. “Villages like Keran, Gurez and Teetwal, once synonymous with conflict, are now symbols of connection,” he said. He added that the government, in collaboration with the Union Government, is developing nine new tourist destinations to ensure the benefits of tourism reach the last mile. Stressing the need for balance, Omar said climate concerns remain central to policy planning. "Our glaciers are receding and our winters are changing. We must protect what we promote, which is why we are investing in sustainable infrastructure,” he said. (KNO)
