J&K notifies private university rules to boost higher education
The new framework mandates 25 per cent reservation for local residents in admissions and jobs.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the Private Universities Rules, 2026, to allow national and international higher learning institutions to establish themselves in the Union Territory, according to ThePrint.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the move would strengthen the higher education sector and create more opportunities for local youth. He noted that the framework aims to attract institutional investment and promote excellence in research and teaching.
Under the new rules, private universities must reserve 25 per cent of seats for J&K domiciles. The regulation also requires 25 per cent of teaching and non-teaching roles to be filled by local residents.
The rules state that institutions must offer merit-cum-means scholarships to a minimum of 10 per cent of their students. The framework also prohibits capitation fees and makes accreditation mandatory within five years.
The notification follows Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s assent to the Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Bill, 2026. Institutions will operate under the supervision of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Regulatory Authority.
The government expects the initiative to encourage disciplines such as medicine, law, business studies, and STEM. It also aims to help students access quality education within the region instead of relocating to cities like Delhi or Bengaluru.