Kupwara, Aug 13: Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir (KU), Prof. Nilofer Khan Thursday visited the University’s Kupwara Campus and held a detailed interaction with students, faculty members, civil society representatives, educationists, district administration.
The interaction was held to review the developmental needs, academic expansion and infrastructure requirements of the campus.
The meeting was attended by senior University officers and academicians, including Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, Registrar Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Prof. Pervez Ahmed, Dean, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Prof. Mubashir Masoodi, Director Kupwara Campus, Prof. G. M. Rather, Head, Department of Geography & Disaster Management, Chief Proctor Prof Imtiaz A Khan, Dr. Ashfaq Zarri, Special Secretary to VC and Joint Registrar Budget, Altaf Ahmad, Joint Registrar Estates, and Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, Joint Registrar Development, officials from University's construction division besides representatives of the District Administration, including Peerzada Mumtaz, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Faisal Farooq, DFO Kehmil, AEE R&B Kupwara, JE, PDD Kupwara and other officials from the district administration.
Representatives of civil society and district administration assured full cooperation for the planned development of the Campus.
Later in the evening, Prof. Nilofer Khan also held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse to deliberate on the developmental requirements of the University’s Kupwara Campus and the need for close coordination between the University and district administration.
The discussions focused on issues relating to road connectivity, demarcation and protection of University land, development of essential infrastructure and other administrative matters requiring inter-departmental coordination.
The Deputy Commissioner assured the Vice-Chancellor of full cooperation and support from the district administration in facilitating the planned and time-bound development of the Campus.
Both sides emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to address the infrastructural and developmental requirements of the institution and to ensure better educational facilities for students and youth of the region.
Key issues discussed included demarcation and fencing of the University land, road connectivity, student amenities, transportation, hostel facilities, academic expansion and introduction of market-driven skill-based programmes.
Regarding road connectivity, two feasible options for providing dedicated access to the Campus were explored with the officers deputed by the district administration.
An on-the-spot GPS survey of the Campus land was also conducted by the University’s Department of Geography & Disaster Management in collaboration with the concerned forest division to facilitate accurate demarcation and future development planning.
The Vice-Chancellor stressed on the strategic importance of the Kupwara Campus and directed that its development be pursued on priority.
She also issued on-the-spot directions for establishing a high-standard canteen at the Campus to improve student facilities and approved the procurement of two Winger-type vehicles to strengthen transportation and logistical support for the Campus.
The development of hostel facilities for girls was also discussed as an important requirement.
On the academic front, Prof. Khan directed the introduction of market-driven and industry-oriented skill courses to enhance employability and create better career opportunities for the youth of the region.
She assured that the University would take forward the process for starting B.Sc. Nursing and Paramedical programmes at the Campus.
The University will also explore additional skill-oriented and employment-focused programmes, including emerging disciplines such as Fashion Technology and other professional courses, in response to the educational and career aspirations of local youth.
Addressing the stakeholders, Prof. Nilofer Khan said that Kashmir University was committed to developing the Kupwara Campus as a vibrant centre of quality education, skill development and academic excellence.
She said that its growth remains aligned with the educational aspirations and developmental needs of the region.
She stressed on the importance of coordinated efforts between the University and district administration for the planned, coordinated and time-bound resolution of infrastructural and developmental issues.
She further emphasised that the introduction of skill-oriented and industry-linked programmes would create greater educational and career opportunities for students and youth of the region.
Prof. Khan also interacted with students and faculty members, taking feedback on academic and campus-related issues and resolved some grievances on the spot.
She also met members of the civil society to seek their suggestions for further strengthening the institution’s engagement with the local community.
She assured the stakeholders that the concerns and suggestions raised during the visit, especially the growing demand for more need-based and employment-focused courses, would be taken up on priority and that the University would work closely with the concerned departments, district administration and local community for their timely resolution.
The visit also featured a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Rally’ at the Kupwara Campus, in which students, faculty and staff participated with patriotic enthusiasm.
The activity brought the campus community together as part of the University’s Independence Day observances.
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 15.48 lakh traffic violation cases in 2025, with authorities collecting more than Rs 34.17 crore as penalty under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal. According to the official data, 15,48,525 challans were issued across the Union Territory in 2025, while the penalty amount recovered stood at Rs 34,17,36,740. The figures further show that in 2024, a total of 15,44,105 violations were registered with a penalty collection of around Rs 43.40 crore, while in 2023, 12,38,584 challans were issued and Rs 34.56 crore was collected. For the current year, till February 8, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 1,63,531 traffic violation cases, with revenue collection of about Rs 2.11 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 are aimed at ensuring better compliance and deterrence. It also said that traffic enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of States and Union Territories. The government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for electronic monitoring and is promoting technology-driven enforcement through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras integrated with the VAHAN database. Awareness campaigns under the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan are also being carried out to improve road safety.
New Delhi, Jan 25: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has directed all universities and dental colleges across the country to strictly ensure a minimum of 80 percent biometric attendance for Post Graduate students before allowing them to appear in examinations. The decision has been taken to curb absenteeism among postgraduate dental students. According to a circular issued by the Dental Council of India-a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the decision has been taken after multiple complaints were received from dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh regarding non-attendance of PG students. "The matter was examined by the Grievance Sub-Committee of the DCI in its meeting held on November 24, 2025," the circular reads. It reads that after detailed discussion and deliberation, the committee recommended that all universities and dental colleges must ensure compliance with Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which mandates at least 80 per cent attendance. "The recommendation of the Grievance Sub-Committee has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Dental Council of India through circulation and has now been formally communicated for information and necessary action," the circular reads. As per the circular, all the universities and dental colleges have been directed to ensure minimum 80 per cent biometric attendance of all PG students before permitting them to appear in examinations. The order, issued by Deputy Secretary Dental Council of India Mukesh Kumar, is expected to be implemented with immediate effect across the country.
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, March 6: Around 17 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2025, the result for which was declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday. The commission recommended a total of 958 candidates for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and various central services. Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate, has topped the civil services examination 2025, while Rajeshwari Suve M and Akansh Dhull have got the second and third ranks respectively. According to the official list released by the UPSC the 17 candidates from J&K who have figured in the final merit list include Suvan Sharma (Rank 148), Sugandha Gupta (207), Towseef Ganie (Rank 254), Ritika (Rank 456), Sooyash Shivam (Rank 572), Muneeb Parrah (Rank 581), Ghulam Din (Rank 683), Dwarka Gaadhi (Rank 721), Akash (Rank 747), Koh E Safa (Rank 763), Yasaar (Rank 811), Abhishek (Rank 820), Pankaj (Rank 856), Mohammad Ajaz (Rank 869), Azhar (Rank 886), Sarfraz (Rank 936), and Irfan (Rank 957). The results were declared after conducting the written examination in August 2025 followed by the personality tests (interviews) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026. As per the result notification issue by the UPSC, a total of 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment against 1087 vacancies reported by the government for the examination cycle. These include 180 vacancies in the IAS, 55 in the IFS, 150 in the IPS, 507 in Central Services Group A and 195 in Group B services. Of the total recommended candidates, 317 are from the general category, 104 from the economically weaker sections, 306 from other backward classes, 158 from scheduled castes and 73 from scheduled tribes. A consolidated reserve list of 258 candidates has also been published in accordance with the rules. The claims of recommended candidates regarding reservation categories will be subject to verification by the concerned authorities. The UPSC has stated that the candidature of 348 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, while the result of the two candidates has been kept withheld. The CSE is conducted annually in three stages- preliminary, Mains and interview by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination 2025 was conducted on May 25 of 2025. A total of 937876 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,76,793 actually appeared in the test. A total of 14,161 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (Main) examination which was held in August, 2025. Of these, 2736 candidates had qualified for the personality test (interview) of the examination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the candidates who qualified the UPSC exam. "Congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2025. Their dedication, perseverance and hard work have led to this significant milestone. Wishing them the very best as they embark on a journey of serving the nation and fulfilling the aspirations of the people," PM Modi wrote on his official X handle. "To those who may not have secured the desired outcome in the Civil Services Examination, I understand that such moments can be difficult. However, this is only one step in a larger journey. Many opportunities lie ahead, both in future examinations and in the many avenues through which you can contribute to our nation. My best wishes for the road ahead," his post on X reads. UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar announced the declaration of the result and congratulated the candidates who qualified the exam. "Congrats to all successful candidates as you begin a career of service to the nation. For those who did not make it-the learning from this journey will guide you in the paths ahead," UPSC Chairman wrote in a post on X. Among the 17 candidates from J&K who qualified UPSC exam inlcude a visually impaired candidate Irfan Ahmad Lone, a resident of Manzpora in the Naidkhai area of Bandipora.
Kupwara, Aug 13: Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir (KU), Prof. Nilofer Khan Thursday visited the University’s Kupwara Campus and held a detailed interaction with students, faculty members, civil society representatives, educationists, district administration. The interaction was held to review the developmental needs, academic expansion and infrastructure requirements of the campus. The meeting was attended by senior University officers and academicians, including Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, Registrar Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Prof. Pervez Ahmed, Dean, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Prof. Mubashir Masoodi, Director Kupwara Campus, Prof. G. M. Rather, Head, Department of Geography & Disaster Management, Chief Proctor Prof Imtiaz A Khan, Dr. Ashfaq Zarri, Special Secretary to VC and Joint Registrar Budget, Altaf Ahmad, Joint Registrar Estates, and Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, Joint Registrar Development, officials from University's construction division besides representatives of the District Administration, including Peerzada Mumtaz, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Faisal Farooq, DFO Kehmil, AEE R&B Kupwara, JE, PDD Kupwara and other officials from the district administration. Representatives of civil society and district administration assured full cooperation for the planned development of the Campus. Later in the evening, Prof. Nilofer Khan also held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse to deliberate on the developmental requirements of the University’s Kupwara Campus and the need for close coordination between the University and district administration. The discussions focused on issues relating to road connectivity, demarcation and protection of University land, development of essential infrastructure and other administrative matters requiring inter-departmental coordination. The Deputy Commissioner assured the Vice-Chancellor of full cooperation and support from the district administration in facilitating the planned and time-bound development of the Campus. Both sides emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to address the infrastructural and developmental requirements of the institution and to ensure better educational facilities for students and youth of the region. Key issues discussed included demarcation and fencing of the University land, road connectivity, student amenities, transportation, hostel facilities, academic expansion and introduction of market-driven skill-based programmes. Regarding road connectivity, two feasible options for providing dedicated access to the Campus were explored with the officers deputed by the district administration. An on-the-spot GPS survey of the Campus land was also conducted by the University’s Department of Geography & Disaster Management in collaboration with the concerned forest division to facilitate accurate demarcation and future development planning. The Vice-Chancellor stressed on the strategic importance of the Kupwara Campus and directed that its development be pursued on priority. She also issued on-the-spot directions for establishing a high-standard canteen at the Campus to improve student facilities and approved the procurement of two Winger-type vehicles to strengthen transportation and logistical support for the Campus. The development of hostel facilities for girls was also discussed as an important requirement. On the academic front, Prof. Khan directed the introduction of market-driven and industry-oriented skill courses to enhance employability and create better career opportunities for the youth of the region. She assured that the University would take forward the process for starting B.Sc. Nursing and Paramedical programmes at the Campus. The University will also explore additional skill-oriented and employment-focused programmes, including emerging disciplines such as Fashion Technology and other professional courses, in response to the educational and career aspirations of local youth. Addressing the stakeholders, Prof. Nilofer Khan said that Kashmir University was committed to developing the Kupwara Campus as a vibrant centre of quality education, skill development and academic excellence. She said that its growth remains aligned with the educational aspirations and developmental needs of the region. She stressed on the importance of coordinated efforts between the University and district administration for the planned, coordinated and time-bound resolution of infrastructural and developmental issues. She further emphasised that the introduction of skill-oriented and industry-linked programmes would create greater educational and career opportunities for students and youth of the region. Prof. Khan also interacted with students and faculty members, taking feedback on academic and campus-related issues and resolved some grievances on the spot. She also met members of the civil society to seek their suggestions for further strengthening the institution’s engagement with the local community. She assured the stakeholders that the concerns and suggestions raised during the visit, especially the growing demand for more need-based and employment-focused courses, would be taken up on priority and that the University would work closely with the concerned departments, district administration and local community for their timely resolution. The visit also featured a ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Rally’ at the Kupwara Campus, in which students, faculty and staff participated with patriotic enthusiasm. The activity brought the campus community together as part of the University’s Independence Day observances.
Anantnag, Jul 18: The Private Schools' Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) Friday organised an educational conclave at Lucent Global School, Batengoo, Anantnag. The event was attended by school leaders, principals, administrators, teachers, and management representatives from across the district. Prof. Parvaiz Mir Director, CIED-IUST Foundation was the Chief Guest at the occasion. In his keynote address, Prof. Mir emphasized the need to foster innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and institutional excellence in schools. He highlighted the importance of aligning educational institutions with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and encouraged school leaders to cultivate a culture of creativity, research, and future readiness among students. The conclave was presided over State President, PSAJK Dr Baba Nazrul Islam. In his presidential address, he presented the association's roadmap for strengthening private school education through visionary leadership, organizational unity, quality assurance, and continuous professional development. He urged all stakeholders to work collectively for the advancement of school education and reaffirmed PSAJK's commitment to safeguarding the interests of educational institutions while promoting academic excellence. The green campus initiative of PSAJK will be pledged for the next three years while the segregation of waste will reach to each kitchen. The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, followed by a welcome address by the District President, PSAJK Anantnag Ashfaq Ahmad , who welcomed the distinguished guests and participants. The first technical session was delivered by Prof. Parvaiz Mir on "Empowering School Leadership for Quality Education and Institutional Excellence." The second technical session was conducted by Qadir Ahmad Khan, renowned Life Skill Speaker and Master Trainer, who spoke on "Innovation, Compliance, Collaboration and Future Readiness in School Education." The programme also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, followed by reflections from Er. Zulfqar Sideqi, Vice President (South), PSAJK, on strengthening collaboration among member institutions. Shafiqul Islam, Senior Vice President, PSAJK, addressed the gathering on the importance of organizational unity, emphasizing that a united Association is the key to achieving educational transformation. The conclave concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the General Secretary, PSAJK Anantnag, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, resource persons, participants, organizers, and the management of Lucent Global School for hosting the event. PSAJK reiterated its commitment to organizing such capacity-building initiatives across Jammu & Kashmir to empower school leaders, enhance institutional excellence, and contribute meaningfully to the transformation of education in the Union Territory.
Srinagar, Jul 10: The Executive Committee Meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Council (JKHEC) was held at the University of Kashmir, on Thursday, bringing together eminent academicians, policymakers and heads of higher educational institutions from J&K to deliberate on transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening the higher education ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice-Chairman, J&K Higher Education Council, who emphasised the need for promoting innovation-driven, interdisciplinary and learner-centric approaches in higher education institutions in accordance with the vision and spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020. Addressing the members, Prof. Singh underlined the importance of reimagining higher education through creativity, flexibility, experiential learning and problem-solving. He stressed on taking forward the Design Your Degree (DYD) programme as an innovative academic initiative aimed at enabling students to explore multidisciplinary learning pathways and develop skills suited to contemporary challenges. Prof. Singh said universities and colleges must evolve as dynamic centres of ideas, innovation and research where students are encouraged to think independently, undertake meaningful projects and engage with real-world challenges. He also highlighted the significance of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into academics, teaching-learning processes and research, enabling institutions to remain responsive to emerging global developments. Earlier, Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, in her remarks highlighted the University’s commitment towards advancing academic excellence, research, innovation and student-centric reforms. Prof. Khan said the University of Kashmir remains committed to achieving the objectives envisioned under NEP-2020 by strengthening collaboration among universities, colleges and government institutions. She said the J&K Higher Education Council has created an important platform for collective thinking and developing a shared roadmap for transforming higher education across Jammu and Kashmir. The Committee reviewed the progress achieved on decisions taken during previous meetings of the Higher Education Council and held detailed deliberations on strengthening the implementation of the Design Your Degree initiative, promoting undergraduate research, entrepreneurship and innovation-led education. Prof. Shobha Bagai, Director, Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi, shared her insights on multidisciplinary education, innovation ecosystems and experiential learning models. She emphasised the need to encourage creativity, research aptitude and entrepreneurial thinking among students from the undergraduate level and highlighted the importance of designing academic frameworks that connect classroom learning with practical problem-solving. The Executive Committee also discussed the integration of Artificial Intelligence in teaching, learning and research programmes across higher educational institutions. Members deliberated upon strategies to leverage AI for enhancing academic practices, improving research outcomes and preparing students for future opportunities. The meeting also reviewed initiatives related to entrepreneurship and innovation, proposed programmes under the Higher Education Council framework, and discussed budgetary provisions and other academic matters. The meeting was attended by Shri Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS), Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, J&K; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, Vice-Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology; Prof. Mohammad Mobin, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar; Prof. K. S. Chandrasekar, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director Colleges, J&K; Prof. (Dr.) Seema Naz, Nodal Principal, Government College of Education (IASE); Dr. Naveen Anand, Principal, Government College for Women, Parade Ground Jammu; and Dr. Guneet Singh Sudan, OSD to Vice-Chairman, J&K Higher Education Council, among others. Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), and Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, joined the meeting through online mode and participated in the deliberations.
