Srinagar: The University of Kashmir has been granted Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the UGC (Categorisation of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018, paving the way for greater academic, administrative and financial autonomy.
According to a communication issued by the UGC, the decision was approved during the Commission’s 598th meeting held on July 6, making the university eligible for the benefits available to Category-I institutions under the regulations.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan described the recognition as a major milestone for the university, saying it reflected its sustained academic progress and commitment to quality. She thanked Chancellor Manoj Sinha, Pro-Chancellor Omar Abdullah and Higher Education Minister Sakeena Itoo for their support in strengthening higher education in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prof. Khan said the enhanced autonomy would enable the university to expand academic programmes, strengthen research and innovation, promote interdisciplinary learning and deepen national and international collaborations.
She added that the Category-I status would facilitate collaborations with leading international universities, engagement of foreign faculty, admission of international students and introduction of new Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes in accordance with UGC regulations.
The recognition follows the university’s performance in the 2025 National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) re-accreditation cycle, in which it secured an A++ grade with a CGPA of 3.68, the highest accreditation score in its history. Under the UGC regulations, Category-I status is granted to universities with a NAAC score of 3.51 or above.
With the new status, the University of Kashmir will have greater flexibility to introduce new academic programmes, revise curricula, promote interdisciplinary education, establish research and innovation initiatives and undertake academic and administrative reforms with reduced regulatory approvals, according to the UGC communication.
