Jammu, Feb 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir was facing a severe threat from climate change, particularly in the form of a water crisis, stressing the need for greater awareness and action.
We are not doing enough to educate our people about what is happening with climate change and the dangers it poses. A lot of that responsibility lies with us as political leaders, the Chief Minister stated while addressing the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on 'Capacity Building in Innovation Pedagogy for the Implementation of NEP-2020' at Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.
The workshop is being organized by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Center (MMTTC) in collaboration with the Skill Incubation, Innovation, Entrepreneurship Development Center (SIIEDC), University of Jammu. The event was attended by Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University Professor Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellors of SMVD University, BGSBS University, and Cluster University of Jammu, along with senior faculty members, Principals of various colleges and students.
Addressing the pressing issue of climate change, the Chief Minister highlighted the alarming precipitation deficit in Jammu and Kashmir.
Until this morning, when the rains finally came, we were facing an 80-85% precipitation deficit this winter, signaling a major water crisis. Our agricultural patterns rely on the assumption of sufficient water availability. But with current water levels, cultivating paddy, which is water-intensive, would be nearly impossible, he warned.
Speaking on the Design Your Degree (DYD) program under the National Education Policy (NEP-2020), the Chief Minister stated that the initiative empowers students to shape their education according to their interests, enhancing their skills and aligning them with evolving job market demands.
As Jammu and Kashmir s private sector expands particularly in industry and tourism and as the region integrates further into the national economy, more job opportunities will emerge. With Jammu University gaining national recognition, students equipped with relevant skills will have a competitive advantage, he said. Reflecting on the pressure students face to secure high percentages, the Chief Minister remarked, It s astonishing how much pressure we put on our children. When you see the cut-off percentages for top colleges like those in Delhi University some even at 100% it raises the question: what is beyond 100%?
He emphasized that the Design Your Degree program marks a transformative shift in education by allowing students to study subjects that genuinely interest them.
This is a significant change from the traditional model, where students were told what to study. Now, they have the freedom to design their degree, enhancing both their academic experience and career prospects, he said. Discussing future prospects in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture and tourism, the Chief Minister highlighted AI s growing impact on education and industry.
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we approach learning and work. While it presents challenges, like the ease of using tools like ChatGPT for academic tasks, it also offers immense opportunities for innovation and growth, he observed.
He acknowledged the role of faculty members from Delhi University, pioneers of the Design Your Degree initiative, in guiding the program s implementation.
This shift requires a change in mindset for both students and teachers. Traditionally, teachers were told what to teach. Now, students are asked, What do you want to learn? and teachers must adapt their approach accordingly. The expertise of these eminent professors is invaluable as we navigate this transition, he added.
The Chief Minister expressed his commitment to supporting Jammu University in its academic endeavors, both in his individual capacity and as the Pro-Chancellor of the university.
I assure you that as long as I am here, I will do whatever I can to help Jammu University grow and thrive, he affirmed. Congratulating the Vice-Chancellor, faculty, and students of Jammu University for achieving the prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation, CM extended his best wishes for the success of the three-day workshop.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also interacted with students from Government Women s College (GWC) Parade and Jammu University under the Design Your Degree program, who shared their learning experiences. He described the interactions as inspiring and expressed his eagerness for more such engagements with young and talented minds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
'NC denied security, got people killed & now it wants to play victim' Srinagar, March 31: Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Tuesday made sharp counter-offensive against the National Conference leadership over the ongoing bungalow and security controversy, saying the party that once weaponised security denial as a political instrument had no moral standing to cry foul today. "As for this bungalow, it was neither anyone's inheritance in the past, nor will it be anyone's property in the future," Lone said. "When someone sits in power, they get the delusion that all of this is theirs. When they leave, they realise nothing belongs to them." Lone made clear his continued stay at the accommodation was not a matter of comfort but of necessity. "I have had a tragedy in my house, an assassination and I have a certain level of security. Let them arrange a house of that level for me and I will leave the very next day. I have no fondness for living there." Turning the argument on its head, Lone accused the NC of having systematically weaponised security mechanisms after 1996 while placing political opponents on OGW lists, denying Police Clearance Certificates to thousands and leaving those out of favour exposed to violence. "After 1996, the maximum number of people were put on the OGW list by them. Whoever was not with them was denied security and then left vulnerable to be killed. They have records of that. And now they want to play victims." He recounted a deeply personal episode to illustrate the charge. "When I was taking my father's funeral procession, I was not given security. He was buried just 100 feet from where he was killed," Sajad Lone recalled . Lone said the Divisional Commissioner at the time had warned him of mortal danger, yet the government refused his security request. "Were those who died not human? Did they not deserve security? Where were your principles then?" On Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary's remark that Lone's chair would need washing, Lone was dismissive. "Absolutely, it will have to be washed, he is bringing disrepute to that chair." He added that in the full catalogue of damage done through the erosion of Article 35-A and Article 370, placing the Deputy CM in office ranked among the gravest. Lone also took aim at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directly. "I saw it myself, Omar Abdullah whispered to him to speak, and he stood up. How petty is that? Will this bring statehood? Will this fight for Kashmir?" He said security was important for everyone but "My only point is, who weaponised it first? Today, when something minor happens to you, you raise an uproar like frightened children." "If you are scared, then leave, who asked you to enter politics," he added.
Jammu, Mar 30: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday urged citizens to draw inspiration from the Prime Minister’s unwavering resolve and march shoulder-to-shoulder in building a strong and prosperous India. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working tirelessly round-the-clock for the nation's welfare. Speaking at the closing ceremony of special phase marking the 150 years of Vande Mataram, here, LG Sinha said PM Modi works tirelessly, round-the-clock, for the nation's welfare. "Let us draw strength from his resolve and stride shoulder-to-shoulder toward a strong, prosperous India," he said. The Lieutenant Governor said that the past decade brought global turmoil and crisis from Ukraine to West Asia plagued most nations, yet, under the able leadership and guidance of PM Modi, India has emerged resilient, sustaining its position as the world's fastest-growing major economy. LG Sinha said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu Kashmir has been integrated into the national mainstream. “The Union Territory has set new benchmarks in development. It is showcasing profound patriotism through pivotal events like Vande Mataram and Har Ghar Tiranga,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He termed Vande Mataram was India’s identity, strength, and vow and it is not just verses but a profound experience woven into our civilization's fabric. "Vande Mataram singing and related events revives memories of immortal martyrs, honors their sacrifices, and renews our commitment to India's glory," he said. He called upon every section of society to share one dream: making India the world's greatest nation. “We must unite to realize it. When every citizen of J&K UT dedicates themselves to building a developed India, I believe that collective spirit will become an unstoppable force,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the devotion and fervor in Jammu Kashmir towards Vande Matram, reflects how this Union Territory has shed painful chapters, embracing the ideals we have toiled for over the last five-six years. The nation witnessed Jammu Kashmir's stellar contribution during the previous phases of Vande Mataram @150 years commemorative event. In the first phase (November 7-14, 2025), 9 of India's top 10 performing districts were from UT, with Kishtwar at Number 1. In the second (January 19-26, 2026), 6 were from Jammu Kashmir, led by Poonch. The Lieutenant Governor said the overwhelming participation of people of Jammu Kashmir in the previous two phases of Vande Mataram event and embrace of its values signal a transformative power for the future. “I firmly believe a region's greatest strength lies in its ability to envision its future. In Jammu Kashmir, I'm witnessing that potential flourish. It's vital to spread the message that true patriotism is the bedrock of peace and progress. It's a sense of responsibility, a spirit of contribution, assuring us that we can better the world together,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor said that Vande Mataram symbolized the dream, goal, and resolve generations fought for and the special week-long phase offered moments to reflect at the confluence of history and aspiration, paying tribute to countless sacrifices that grant us today's freedom, unity, and pride. “Vande Mataram inspires us to honor our past, empower our present, and pledge a bright future. This was a UT-level introspection, reviving cultural roots through public participation and enlisting every citizen in nation-building,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor also called upon the political parties, civil society members and all sections of society to join the fight against drug menace and transform Nasha Mukt campaign into People's Movement in Jammu Kashmir. Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to the great freedom fighters and visited a photo exhibition depicting their historic contributions. The atmosphere was further enriched by the enthralling patriotic performances by the artists of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and students of Cluster University of Jammu. Pertinently, the special phase marking the 150 years of Vande Mataram was organised from March 23 to March 30 2026 to commemorate Shaheedi Diwas and honor the great martyrs of the freedom struggle, whose immense sacrifices paved the way for India's independence. Members of Legislative Assembly, Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta; Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretaries, Shaleen Kabra and Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary Culture, Brij Mohan Sharma; Commissioner Secretary, School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma, Vice Chancellors of various universities and senior officials were present. Padma Shri Dr Jitendra Udhampuri; Padma Shri Dr SP Varma; prominent citizens from different walks of life and youth in large number also attended the closing ceremony organised by Culture department.
Jammu, Mar 27: Ruling National Conference (JKNC) legislators on Friday staged a protest inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly against the US-Israel war on Iran as the House convened for the ongoing Budget Session. The lawmakers, raised slogans, condemning the strikes on Iran and calling them a violation of international norms and an act of aggression. The legislators also held placards and briefly disrupted proceedings, demanding that the issue be acknowledged and discussed. They stated that the developments have hurt public sentiment in the region.
