Classes IX-XII and undergraduate students to benefit as UT rolls out major education welfare initiative with immediate effect.
Srinagar, July 8: In a landmark decision aimed at making education more accessible for the poorest sections of society, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday announced a full fee waiver for students from Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in government schools and government degree colleges across the Union Territory.
The benefit, notified through separate government orders issued by the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, comes into force with immediate effect and is expected to provide substantial financial relief to economically disadvantaged families.
As per the orders, students enrolled in Classes IX to XII in government schools and undergraduate courses from Semester I to VIII in government degree colleges will be exempted from payment of all fees charged by their institutions.
The government said the concession will be available only to students belonging to AAY households possessing a valid Antyodaya Anna Yojana ration card or any other document prescribed by the competent authority. While institutional fees have been waived, charges payable to external statutory authorities or examining bodies will continue to be governed by existing rules unless separately exempted.
The Higher Education Department has further stipulated that undergraduate students already receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance covering institutional fees will not be eligible for the benefit.
To ensure transparency, Heads of Institutions and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have been directed to verify the eligibility of every beneficiary before granting the waiver and maintain complete records for audit, inspection and verification.
The Director School Education, Jammu, Director School Education, Kashmir and the Director Colleges, J&K have been entrusted with overseeing implementation, monitoring compliance, verifying beneficiaries and submitting periodic reports to the government.
According to the orders, the financial burden arising from the initiative will be worked out by the concerned directorates and reimbursed by the Finance Department under the relevant budgetary provisions.
The decision marks one of the most significant education-focused welfare measures announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Government this year, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that no deserving student is denied access to school or higher education because of financial constraints.
