Education – The Kashmir Horizon

Centre releases ₹2,205 Cr for J&K schools in three years

Irfan Yattoo — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:38:58 +0000

• Infras gaps addressed under Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI
• Funds support classrooms, labs, playgrounds and teaching staff
• Projects approved through annual UDISE-based planning

Srinagar: The Centre on Thursday informed Parliament that infrastructure deficiencies in government schools across Jammu and Kashmir including shortages of classrooms, playgrounds, science and computer laboratories, vocational education facilities and teaching staff are being addressed through need-based interventions under the Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI schemes, with more than ₹2,205 crore released under Samagra Shiksha during the last three financial years.
The information was shared by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan.
Responding to the query, the Minister said education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution and that the majority of schools are administered by State Governments and Union Territory administrations, which are responsible for planning and implementing educational programmes at the grassroots level.
He said the Government of India provides financial and technical support to Jammu and Kashmir through centrally sponsored schemes to strengthen school education, develop infrastructure and improve learning outcomes.
According to the reply, the Samagra Shiksha scheme, covering pre-school to Class XII, and the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) initiative are being implemented in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
The Minister said these schemes support the strengthening of existing government schools and the creation or augmentation of infrastructure, including additional classrooms, boys’ and girls’ toilets, toilets for Children with Special Needs (CWSN), drinking water facilities, electricity, boundary walls, libraries, ICT and digital classrooms, playgrounds, science and computer laboratories, vocational education facilities and teaching staff.
He said assistance is sanctioned based on infrastructure gaps identified through the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) database and proposals submitted by the Union Territory administration.
The Minister said infrastructure requirements are assessed annually by the Jammu and Kashmir administration according to local needs and priorities and incorporated into the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B). The proposals are then examined and approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) after considering programme norms, the physical and financial progress of previously sanctioned works and the availability of budgetary resources.
According to the figures placed before Parliament, under Samagra Shiksha, Jammu and Kashmir proposed a central share of ₹1,736.49 crore in 2023-24, against which ₹865.43 crore was released. The total funds available, including the opening balance and the UT share, stood at ₹1,289.50 crore, while expenditure reached ₹1,103.22 crore.
In 2024-25, the proposed central share was ₹1,721.60 crore, with ₹823.49 crore released. The total funds available amounted to ₹1,471.76 crore, while expenditure stood at ₹944.49 crore.
For 2025-26, the proposed central share was ₹1,435.99 crore and the Centre released ₹516.92 crore. The total funds available were ₹1,102.65 crore, while expenditure touched ₹1,102.64 crore, according to data available on the PRABANDH portal.
The Minister also furnished details of assistance under the PM SHRI scheme. In 2023-24, the Project Approval Board approved an outlay of ₹116.43 crore, with a central share of ₹104.79 crore, of which ₹52.40 crore was released and utilised.
In 2024-25, the approved outlay increased to ₹280.76 crore, with a central share of ₹252.68 crore, while ₹99.72 crore was released and utilised.
For 2025-26, the approved outlay stood at ₹277.07 crore, including committed liabilities, with an approved central share of ₹249.36 crore. During the year, ₹124.68 crore was released and utilised.
The Centre reiterated that infrastructure support under the schemes is demand-driven and based on annual proposals submitted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, with approvals granted after appraisal by the Project Approval Board in accordance with scheme guidelines.

Kashmir schools reopen after 21 days summer break

K H News Service — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:53:03 +0000

Srinagar : All government and private schools of Kashmir division reopen on Monday after a 21-day summer break that was extended twice due to the heatwave and inclement weather advisory.
Government had on June-03 announced summer break for all schools of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu from July-06 to July-19.
However, in view of heat weather conditions and inclement weather advisory, the government on July-18, extended the vacation till July-22.
Later, the government further extended the summer break for all government and recognized private schools in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division up to July-26-2026.
On extension of summer vacations, the Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister had said that the break was extended in view of the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and their families.
The government had also said that the health well-being of the concerned stakeholders of the education sector was its foremost priority.
Pertinently, the Meteorological Department has forecast the inclement weather and warned of heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods between July 28 and August-02

J&K BOSE notifies revised date- sheet for Annual (Private)/Bi-annual 2026 exams

K H News Service — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:52:49 +0000

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (J&K BOSE) has notified the revised date sheet for the conduct of Annual (Private)/Bi-annual 2026 examinations of Secondary School Examination (10th Class), Higher Secondary Part-I (11th Class), Higher Secondary Part – II (12th Class) and Jammu & Kashmir State Open School (JKSOS 12th Class) which were postponed earlier.
Accordingly, the Board has advised the entire stakeholder to take necessary steps for the smooth and fair conduct of the examination at the designated examination centres as per the revised date-sheet.

JKBOSE Postpones Class 11 Exams

K H News Service — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:03:52 +0000

Jamm : The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education has postponed the Annual (Private)/Bi-Annual 2026 examinations of Class 11 (HSP-I) scheduled for July 25. Fresh dates for the postponed examinations will be notified separately.
As per the notification issued, the examination of the Jammu and Kashmir State Open School (JKSOS Class 12) will be held on the dates already notified, at the Jammu, Srinagar, Leh and Kargil centres.

Inclement Weather: KU postpones exams scheduled for July 24, 25

K H News Service — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:16:41 +0000

Srinagar: The University of Kashmir on Thursday postponed all examinations scheduled to be held on July 24 and July 25 in view of the prevailing inclement weather conditions.
According to a notice issued by the Assistant Controller of Examinations all University examinations slated for July 24 and 25 have been postponed.
The University said the revised dates for the postponed examinations will be notified separately in due course.
“In view of the inclement weather conditions, it is hereby notified for the information of all concerned that all University Examinations scheduled to be held on 24/07/2026 and 25/07/2026 are hereby postponed. The revised date(s) for the conduct of the postponed examination(s)/paper(s) shall be notified separately in due course,” the notice reads

JKBOSE postpones exams scheduled for July 23

K H News Service — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:34:51 +0000

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education has postponed the Annual (Private)/Bi-Annual 2026 examinations of Class 11 (HSP-I), scheduled for July 23. Fresh dates for the postponed examinations shall be notified separately.
Examinations of the Jammu and Kashmir State Open School (JKSOS) for Classes 10 and 12 shall be held as per dates already notified.

Govt extends summer vacation till July 26

K H News Service — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:16:02 +0000

Srinagar : The government Tuesday extended summer vacation for schools of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division till July-26.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said that the schools shall reopen on July-27.
Taking to microblogging platform X the minister said, “Keeping the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and their families as our foremost priority, the summer vacation for all Government and recognized private schools in the Kashmir Division and Winter Zones of Jammu Division is hereby extended up to 26th July, 2026.”
“Schools will now reopen on Monday, 27th July, 2026,” she said.
The ministry requested the people to stay safe, remain vigilant, and follow the advisories issued by the concerned authorities. “Wishing everyone good health and safety.”
Earlier on July-18, the government had already extended summer vacation for all schools of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division till July-22 in view of prevailing heat weather conditions and inclement weather advisory.
The Education Minister earlier had said that the summer vacation was extended by three days for schools in Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division.
The government had earlier announced summer vacations for all schools in the Kashmir Division and winter zones of the Jammu Division from July 6 to July 19.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast the inclement weather and warned of heavy rainfall and the possibility of flash floods between July 20 and July 23

JK BOSE postpones exams scheduled for July 20

K H News Service — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:23:34 +0000

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has postponed the Annual (Private)/Bi-Annual 2026 examinations of Class 10 (SSE), Class 12 and Jammu & Kashmir State Open School (JKSOS Class 12) scheduled for July 20, in view of heavy rains and floods. The fresh dates for the postponed exams shall be notified separately.

School, Hr Edu Deptts issue framework for Academic, Content Audit of Educational Resources

K H News Service — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:41:29 +0000

Srinagar: The School Education Department and the Higher Education Department have issued comprehensive circulars prescribing a structured institutional framework for the academic evaluation, content verification and periodic review of books and other educational resources across schools, colleges, universities and public libraries in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The initiative has been taken in view of recent concerns regarding books available in the institutional libraries and the procurement of educational material by schools, colleges, public libraries and universities in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and in pursuance of Government directions.
The circulars are aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms governing the evaluation, recommendation, circulation, retention and periodic review of educational material to ensure that academic resources available in educational institutions possess established academic merit, factual authenticity, pedagogical relevance and educational value, while remaining consistent with the Constitution of India, the laws in force, the National Education Policy, the applicable regulatory framework and the curricular standards prescribed by the competent authorities.
Under the framework, all Government and recognised private schools, Government and recognised private colleges, and universities functioning under the administrative jurisdiction of the respective Departments and Public Libraries have been directed to undertake a comprehensive Academic and Content Audit of books, reference material, journals, research publications, dissertations, theses, digital repositories and other educational resources available in their libraries and academic units, irrespective of the year of procurement, adoption or inclusion.
The circulars further provide that no publication or academic material containing factually inaccurate, misleading, distorted, inflammatory, unlawful or otherwise objectionable content, including material that directly or indirectly promotes, glorifies, legitimises or justifies terrorism, violent extremism, secessionism, radicalisation or any activity prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the Nation, shall be procured, prescribed, recommended, retained, circulated, published, hosted or otherwise made available in educational institutions.
To ensure effective implementation, the Government has institutionalised multi-tier academic and content scrutiny mechanisms across the school and higher education sectors. These mechanisms provide for systematic academic evaluation, content verification, quality assurance, periodic review and institutional oversight through committees constituted at the institutional, district, directorate, university and administrative department levels, while respecting the statutory and academic autonomy of universities within the framework of the applicable laws and University Grants Commission regulations.
The circulars also assign clearly defined responsibilities to the Vice Chancellors, Principals of Colleges, Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education officers and Heads of Institutions (Hols), librarians, School Managements and other academic authorities entrusted with academic governance to ensure meticulous implementation of the prescribed framework within the stipulated timelines. Institutional heads shall be responsible for ensuring compliance within their respective jurisdictions, and any omission, negligence or deviation from the prescribed procedures shall be viewed with utmost seriousness.
The initiative is intended to reinforce academic standards, strengthen institutional accountability, preserve the integrity of the educational ecosystem and establish a transparent, objective and uniform framework for the periodic academic and content review of educational resources across schools, colleges and universities in the Union Territory.

Registration, Counselling under the Special Scholarship Scheme 2026-27 begin

K H News Service — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:34:49 +0000

Srinagar : Following the proactive intervention of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has officially set the process in motion for the Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) for the academic year 2026-27.
In an official communication issued by the Higher Education Department of the J&K Government on July 16, 2026, directives have been forwarded to expedite the setting up of the designated Facilitation Centres and Facilitation-cum-Document Verification Centres across the region.
This swift administrative step ensures that the registration and counseling process for the benefit of students of Jammu and Kashmir begins. This move will benefit the students of J&K who have passed their class 12th exams and will enable their admissions in prominent colleges and educational institutions of the country.
According to the official notification released by the AICTE, the online portal for the counseling and registration process has officially opened Thursday, July 16, 2026, starting at 12:00 Noon.