Jammu Kashmir Admin Sets August 2026 Deadline for 90 Per Cent Faculty Recruitment in Universities and Colleges | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is set for a major higher education transformation with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo directing that at least 90 percent of faculty vacancies across universities and colleges be filled by August this year, underscoring urgent strengthening of teaching capacity across the Union Territory.

The directive was issued during a high-level review of the Higher Education Department (HED), where it was stressed that academic quality is directly linked to timely recruitment of qualified and competent faculty.

A comprehensive academic overhaul has also been ordered, with instructions to conduct a full audit of courses across Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). Outdated and low-demand programmes are to be phased out and replaced with modern, skill-based and industry-oriented curricula aligned with emerging job markets.

The Chief Secretary further emphasized continuous curriculum revision and stronger integration of employability-focused and skill-based education to enhance student readiness for professional sectors.

Special focus has been placed on improving enrolment in professional institutions, including engineering and architecture colleges, along with corrective measures for declining admissions in affiliated colleges of the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu.

According to official figures, Jammu and Kashmir has 9 universities and 152 colleges with total student enrolment exceeding three lakh. Out of 3,635 sanctioned teaching posts, more than 3,400 are currently filled, while recruitment is underway for remaining vacancies.

The reform agenda also includes global talent return schemes, Professors of Practice, digital education expansion, apprenticeship-linked degrees, incubation centres, foreign collaborations, and plans to increase international student enrolment by 20 percent.

The directions were issued during a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, where Vice-Chancellors and senior higher education officials participated, with reforms aligned to NEP-2020 and national-level policy decisions.