Srinagar, Apr 8: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo Tuesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir government was focused on creating a robust academic ecosystem aligned with national educational priorities and global standards.
She said this during her interaction with the members of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports (EWCY&S) who are on two day visit of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the interaction, the Minister presented a comprehensive overview of the initiatives undertaken by the Government to enhance the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of education sector across Jammu and Kashmir.
"Our government is focused on creating a robust academic ecosystem aligned with national educational priorities and global standards," she said.
Sakeena Itoo highlighted key reforms aimed at improving academic infrastructure, promoting research and innovation, strengthening faculty development programmes and expanding digital learning facilities in schools, colleges and universities.
She informed the Committee that sustained efforts are being made to modernize schools, college campuses, introduce industry-oriented courses and ensure skill-based education to improve employability among students.
The Minister also underscored the importance of equitable access to education, stating that special attention is being given to students from remote and underserved areas through scholarship schemes, upgraded facilities and enhanced connectivity initiatives.
The Members of the Committee appreciated the progress achieved in the higher education sector and held detailed deliberations on challenges, opportunities, and future strategies for academic growth. The discussion focused on improving research output, fostering innovation-driven learning, and strengthening institutional governance mechanisms.
Sakeena Itoo reiterated that the Omar Abdullah led government was committed to nurturing academic excellence, encouraging innovation and creating a learner-centric environment that empowers youth and contributes to socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
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.
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.
Srinagar, Apr 8: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo Tuesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir government was focused on creating a robust academic ecosystem aligned with national educational priorities and global standards. She said this during her interaction with the members of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports (EWCY&S) who are on two day visit of Jammu and Kashmir. During the interaction, the Minister presented a comprehensive overview of the initiatives undertaken by the Government to enhance the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of education sector across Jammu and Kashmir. "Our government is focused on creating a robust academic ecosystem aligned with national educational priorities and global standards," she said. Sakeena Itoo highlighted key reforms aimed at improving academic infrastructure, promoting research and innovation, strengthening faculty development programmes and expanding digital learning facilities in schools, colleges and universities. She informed the Committee that sustained efforts are being made to modernize schools, college campuses, introduce industry-oriented courses and ensure skill-based education to improve employability among students. The Minister also underscored the importance of equitable access to education, stating that special attention is being given to students from remote and underserved areas through scholarship schemes, upgraded facilities and enhanced connectivity initiatives. The Members of the Committee appreciated the progress achieved in the higher education sector and held detailed deliberations on challenges, opportunities, and future strategies for academic growth. The discussion focused on improving research output, fostering innovation-driven learning, and strengthening institutional governance mechanisms. Sakeena Itoo reiterated that the Omar Abdullah led government was committed to nurturing academic excellence, encouraging innovation and creating a learner-centric environment that empowers youth and contributes to socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
'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.
