Dr Firdous Ahmad Qazi
“Academic integrity cannot be sustained when academic labour goes unpaid for months.” The conduct of university examinations is one of the most critical academic responsibilities, demanding time, expertise and integrity from teachers and non-teaching staff alike. In 2025, Kashmir University successfully conducted a large number of examinations across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, ensuring academic continuity despite logistical, administrative and climatic challenges. However, months after the completion of these examinations, the long-pending issue of unpaid remuneration to those involved has emerged as a serious concern, raising questions about fairness, governance and institutional accountability. Teachers who served as paper setters, evaluators, invigilators, supervisors and coordinators devoted countless hours beyond their regular teaching and administrative duties.
Many travelled long distances, worked under pressure to meet strict timelines and ensured that the examination process remained smooth and credible. Remuneration for such work is not a favour; it is a legitimate professional entitlement and an essential component of academic motivation. Delays extending into months undermine morale and create financial strain, particularly at a time when inflation and rising living costs are already affecting salaried professionals. The issue is not merely about money; it reflects a deeper administrative malaise. Universities are expected to function as centres of excellence, guided by transparency, efficiency and respect for academic labour. When remuneration remains pending without clear communication or timelines, it erodes trust between faculty and administration. Repeated assurances without tangible outcomes only add to frustration and a sense of neglect.
“The delay in paying Kashmir University examination remuneration is more than a clerical error; it is an issue of professional dignity and justice. Resolving this immediately is essential to demonstrate that the university respects its staff, maintains ethical standards, and is committed to fair governance.”
Moreover, such delays may have long-term consequences. Faculty members may become reluctant to take up additional examination-related responsibilities in the future, which could adversely affect the quality and timely conduct of examinations. This, in turn, impacts students—the primary stakeholders—who depend on prompt evaluation, declaration of results and progression to higher studies or employment. It is also important to note that timely payment of remuneration is a standard practice in most universities across the country. Persistent delays place Kashmir University at odds with established academic norms and risk tarnishing its reputation. In an era where higher education institutions are increasingly evaluated on governance and efficiency, such issues cannot be treated lightly.
The way forward requires immediate administrative intervention. The university authorities must prioritize the clearance of all pending examination-related payments for 2025 and publicly communicate a definite timeline. Additionally, a streamlined and digitized payment mechanism should be instituted to prevent recurrence of such delays. Accountability mechanisms must be strengthened so that responsibility for undue postponements is clearly fixed. In conclusion, the long-pending remuneration of Kashmir University examinations is not just an administrative lapse but a matter of academic dignity and justice. Addressing it promptly will send a strong message that the university values the contributions of its teachers and staff, upholds professional ethics, and remains committed to the principles of fairness and good governance.
(The author is a Lecturer at the Department of Management Studies Govt Degree College Shopian. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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