Govt to Frame Rules, Set Up Expert Committee as Proposals Begin Arriving; Applicants Asked to Wait for Panel
JAMMU, Apr 16: Clearing the decks for setting up Private Universities in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has accorded assent to The Jammu and Kashmir Universities Bill, 2026, passed by the Assembly on the last day of the budget session on April 4.
The LG has also cleared The Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas Second (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the assent to both bills has been conveyed to the Government, and the stage is now set for framing rules for establishing Private Universities in the Union Territory for the first time, which is expected to boost the education sector.
The Private Universities Bill was introduced in the Legislative Assembly by Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, who also holds the portfolios of Health and Medical Education and Social Welfare. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had appreciated the initiative, and the House passed the legislation unanimously.
Sources said the Education Department will now frame detailed rules for setting up Private Universities as per the Act. Once the rules are notified, the process of inviting and processing applications from interested groups will begin.
They added that several organisations have already approached the Government with proposals for setting up Private Universities, but have been advised to wait until the rules are framed and an Expert Committee is constituted.
As per the provisions, any body seeking to establish a Private University must submit an application along with a vision document, detailed project report, and a non-refundable application fee of up to Rs 25 lakh as prescribed.
The Government will constitute an Expert Committee headed by the Administrative Secretary of Higher Education to examine proposals. A Regulatory Authority will also be set up to oversee Private Universities, ensure compliance, conduct inspections, address complaints, and recommend action against violations.
Only those bodies will be eligible that have been registered for at least three years, have education as their primary objective, possess sound financial credentials, lawful possession of adequate land, and meet infrastructure and faculty requirements in line with Government and UGC norms.
The Private Universities will be unitary in nature with a main campus in Jammu and Kashmir, though they may establish constituent colleges, regional centres, additional campuses and study centres within the Union Territory as per regulatory approvals.
Meanwhile, The Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas Second (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, will decriminalise and rationalise several offences to promote ease of living and ease of doing business. It also aims to reduce compliance burden and align with the Business Reforms Action Plan.
The law amends 18 Acts of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing minor imprisonment provisions with monetary penalties and compounding of offences, and revising outdated fines to improve regulatory efficiency. (Agency)
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