JAMMU: The Higher Education Department today convened a high-level meeting in the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, under the chairmanship of Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary, Education.
The meeting was attended by Director Colleges, Higher Education Department, Deans of Academic Affairs and Registrars from the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, Cluster University Jammu and Cluster University Srinagar besides Principals of autonomous colleges, Government College for Women, Parade Jammu, GDC Baramulla and Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar.
The deliberations centered on critical issues pertaining to undergraduate admissions for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year and crucial progression of students to the 4th year under the transformative National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 besides other NEP-related initiatives.
The meeting took several decisions aimed to smoothen the admission process for upcoming UG 2025-26 admissions. It was decided that the Universities across the Union Territory will formulate and implement statutory provisions by the end of this month, facilitating lateral entry for eligible polytechnic students into the 2nd year (3rd semester) of Four-Year Undergraduate Program of Degree Colleges.
It was decided that admissions would continue to be granted through both CUET and non-CUET modes, aligning with established practices. However, timelines will be thoroughly reviewed and optimized to ensure greater student convenience and accessibility. In order to optimize the process, the Director of Colleges will coordinate and oversee the admission process, working in close liaison with the universities to ensure strict adherence to stipulated timelines.
All the universities are mandated to establish statutory mechanisms and guidelines as provided under NEP 2020 for multiple exit options at the end of the 1st and 2nd year, providing students with greater portability. Besides, the Universities shall come up with an implementation plan in terms of the requirement of additional credits for the award of Certificate or Diploma.
It was further decided that the Director Colleges, Higher Education Department, will undertake a reclassification of colleges based on admission grant criteria on CUET or NON-CUET, pre-informing students and institutions, so that aspirants can seek admissions without any ambiguity.
The ACS asked to ensure that the admission process is completed well within the time to ensure adherence to the academic calendar. He said that the admissions should be centralized at the directorate level, instructing the Director of Colleges to start the process of developing a robust centralized admission system.
The meeting also took decisions regarding progression of students to the 4th Year of NEP in Honours and Research Mode and finalisation of the statutory provisions by the Universities for admission to the 4th year under the Honours and Honours with Research programs. The exercise is to be completed by the month end to ensure a smooth transition to the 4th Year for enrolled students.
It was decided that the transition to the 4th year will be implemented in a phased and calibrated manner. The students will be duly informed about the modalities of transfer from various degree colleges to facilitate their pursuit of quality research and Honors programs. It was clarified that 4th Year programs will be offered at selected institutions, necessitating the student mobility across institutions.
The ACS instructed the Universities to finalise statutory provisions without delay to facilitate the identification and offering of courses through the SWAYAM platform, thereby enhancing credit transferability and providing students with greater academic flexibility. An Action Taken Report, in this regard, will be submitted by the HEIs to the Higher Education Department by the month end, he added.
He affirmed the department’s commitment towards coordinating with the National Testing Agency (NTA) at the highest level, to ensure that the CUET examination is conducted with an increased number of centers within the UT with enhanced facilities.
Shantmanu reiterated that the Higher Education Department is committed towards taking all necessary steps to facilitate the smooth and effective implementation of NEP 2020 and to continuously improve the quality of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. He appreciated the role of Universities in the implementation of NEP for the undergraduate students.
