J&K Student Alerts

Mega Development Push for J&K: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces PMGSY-IV Launch, ₹4,568 Cr Rural Boost

330 roads to be built at ₹3,550 Cr cost; 363 habitations to benefit; major focus on connectivity, rural economy and women empowerment

Aazan Manzoor

Srinagar, Apr 27 (JKNS): Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced a major development package for Jammu and Kashmir, including the launch of PMGSY-IV Batch-II and release of over ₹4,568 crore under rural livelihood schemes, aimed at accelerating infrastructure and economic growth in the region.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, as pwr news agency JKNS Chouhan said that the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV, Batch-II will be formally launched on April 28 at SKICC, in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, marking a significant step towards strengthening rural connectivity.

He said that under PMGSY-IV Batch-II, around 330 new roads spanning nearly 1,600 kilometers will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹3,550 crore, benefiting 363 habitations across Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the initiative is aimed at ensuring last-mile connectivity and integrating remote villages with mainstream development.

Highlighting past achievements, the Union Minister said that since the inception of PMGSY in 2000, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the construction of 3,328 roads covering 19,851 kilometers along with 257 bridges, significantly improving accessibility and mobility in rural areas.

Chouhan further announced that ₹4,568.23 crore will be released as the central share to 24 States and Union Territories under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), reiterating the Centre’s commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods and empowering women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

He said that nearly 96,000 Self-Help Groups, 7,500 Village Organisations and around 650 Cluster-Level Federations are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir, playing a vital role in promoting entrepreneurship, income generation and financial inclusion in rural areas.

The Union Minister emphasized that the government is working with a multi-dimensional approach, where infrastructure development is complemented by initiatives in agriculture, horticulture, skill development and rural enterprise. He said flagship schemes like PM-Kisan, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, e-NAM and micro-irrigation projects are being implemented to strengthen the farming community and enhance productivity.

Chouhan said the focus is not only on building roads but also on creating sustainable economic opportunities, especially for youth and women, thereby contributing to the broader vision of a developed and self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.

He added that the upcoming programme in Srinagar will also include handing over approval letters for PMGSY-IV projects and further strengthening Centre–UT coordination for effective implementation of development initiatives on the ground. (JKNS)

Empowering Women Through Strength: Self-Defence Workshop Concludes at GCW Srinagar

50 students trained in over 20 techniques; officials stress confidence, safety and long-term empowerment

Srinagar, Apr 27 (JKNS): A week-long self-defence workshop aimed at empowering young women with essential safety skills concluded at Government College for Women (GCW), M.A. Road, Srinagar on Monday, with officials highlighting its role in building confidence, resilience and awareness among students.

The workshop, organised by the college’s Women’s Study Centre and Department of Physical Education in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, witnessed participation of around 50 students who were trained in more than 20 self-defence techniques, including methods to escape wrist grabs, chokeholds and other forms of physical threats.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony, Divisional Sports Officer Kashmir Nusrat Gazala stressed the importance of self-defence in today’s environment, while Principal Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq said the initiative would not remain a one-time event but evolve into a sustained programme within the college.

Faculty members and trainers highlighted that the workshop not only enhanced physical preparedness but also significantly improved confidence, discipline, teamwork and situational awareness among participants. Meanwhile, Director Colleges Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir also visited the college and inaugurated newly upgraded laboratories, interacting with students and faculty on the occasion. (JKNS)

Director Colleges Unveils Upgraded Labs at GCW Srinagar, Pushes for Research-Driven Learning

Prof. Ajaz Bashir stresses modern infrastructure, scientific temper and collective efforts to strengthen higher education

Srinagar, Apr 27 (JKNS): Director Colleges J&K Sheikh Ajaz Bashir on Monday inaugurated newly refurbished laboratories at Government College for Women (GCW), M.A. Road Srinagar, underscoring the importance of modern academic infrastructure in enhancing quality education.

During the visit, the Director Colleges interacted with faculty members and students, appreciating the efforts undertaken by the institution to strengthen academic infrastructure and enhance practical learning facilities.

He emphasized the importance of well-equipped laboratories in fostering scientific temper, research orientation, and experiential learning among students.

Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq highlighted the ongoing academic and administrative initiatives of the college.
Director Colleges also held engaging interaction sessions, advising students and faculty members to make collective concerted efforts for overall betterment of higher education. (JKNS)

Jammu Kashmir High Court Quashes PSA Detention of MLA Mehraj Malik

SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed the Public Safety Act (PSA) detention of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik, granting major relief to the legislator who had been lodged in preventive custody since September last year, sources said.

Advocates who were representing MLA Mehraj Malik said that the court set aside the detention order issued under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act after hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Malik challenging his detention.

Malik, who represents the Doda constituency and also heads the AAP’s JK unit, was detained on September 8, 2025, on allegations of activities prejudicial to public order. He was subsequently shifted to Kathua district jail.

The petition challenging the detention had come up for hearing on several dates before the High Court. On February 23 this year, the court had reserved its judgment after completion of arguments by both sides.

With the detention order now quashed, Malik is expected to be released from custody after completion of legal formalities, unless required in any other case, they added. (KDC)

Ahead of HM's visit, Ladakh gets five new districts

Leh, Apr 27: Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Ladakh, the administration of the Union Territory has notified the creation of five new districts—Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass—taking the total number of districts in the Union Territory from two to seven.

The decision, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was announced by the Lieutenant Governor’s office, Vinai Kumar Saxena in a post on X, describing it as a “historic day” for Ladakh and a step aimed at fulfilling a long-pending demand of the people.

He said the move had received approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2024.

The creation of new districts is aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, decentralising administration and ensuring faster delivery of public services, particularly in remote and far-flung areas, he said—(KNO)

Six Medical Shops Shut in Anantnag After Surprise Raids Over Norm Violations

ARTO Ganderbal Orders on for

Schools directed to adopt AIS-063 compliant vehicles and enforce strict safety norms to protect students amid rising road safety concerns

JKBOSE Class 10th, 12th Annual Private / Bi-Annual Exam Form Instructions 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has released the official guidelines for filling online exam forms 2026 for Class 10th (SSE) & Class 12th (HSP-II) under Annual Private / Bi-Annual session.

👉 Classes: 10th & 12th Annual Private / Bi-annual
📍 Applicable for: Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh (Winter & Summer Zones)

📝 Includes: Step-by-step form filling process, eligibility, and important instructions

Students must follow the official instructions carefully while submitting the JKBOSE Exam Form 2026 to avoid rejection or errors.

🔗 Check full notification on JKBOSE official website

8 zones, 15 Hr secondary, 61 high schools headless in Baramulla

The district also has 15 higher secondary schools out of 61 without principal and the charge has been given to the equivalent rank officials. As per the figures around 61 out of 140 high schools are without fulltime headmasters.

Syed Rizwan Geelani

Srinagar, Apr 26: The delay in the fresh recruitment and continuous retirements of the officers has thrown up a major challenge for the School Education Department (SED).

The department has key positions vacant, affecting day to day affairs of the offices and the schools throughout Kashmir. Baramulla is one such district in north Kashmir which is facing a acute shortage teaching staff while a huge number of schools are also headless. TravelGuides & Travelogues

The key positions are also lying vacant in the district, affecting day to day affairs of the department at grass root level. As per the official figures, the district has eight out of 18 zones without permanent ZEOs while the District Institute of Education and Trainings (DIET) is also without a principal as well.

The district also has 15 higher secondary schools out of 61 without principal and the charge has been given to the equivalent rank officials. As per the figures around 61 out of 140 high schools are without fulltime headmasters. In the district, the rural schools are facing acute dearth of teachers while the urban schools are having surplus staff. Talking to Greater Kashmir, minister for education Sakina Itoo said that there were lot of vacancies at the time of the formation of the government. "A lot of work has been done since we took over. We also held several DPCs and promotions were ordered as well," she said. She however said that there has been no recruitment in the education department since 2019 which she attributed to the "difficulties" being faced in the department. "As there was recruitment for these years, so many people retired from the department due to which vacancies got created with each passing year," she said. The minister however said that the department somehow managed the crisis by way of rationalisation of the staff. "Even we filled some of the vacancies during the last one and a half year but it is a continuous process because people retire every year which again creates vacancy in the department," she said. She said the department was still working on the issue and efforts were made to fill all the vacancies. "We have done a lot of work on this. If there are vacancies anywhere we will post the staff there. If someone has retired, new people will be sent to those positions," she said. (GK)

Ganderbal schools suffer staff shortages as rationalisation lags behind

Ganderbal, Apr 26: Ganderbal district schools are grappling with persistent Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) imbalances as the concerned department has failed to implement staff rationalisation for the 2025-2026 academic session, unlike other Kashmir districts that completed the process by February.

Sources told Greater Kashmir that Education Zones like Kangan and Hariganiwan, boasting the district's highest student enrollment suffers acutely from staff shortages that strain teaching capacity and violate PTR norms.

Under the National Education Policy 2020, maintaining a healthy pupil-teacher ratio is key to ensuring learning outcomes. However, on the ground in Ganderbal, the same hasn’t been implemented yet. Staff rationalisation, a key J&K education directive since mid-2025, redistributes teachers from surplus to deficit schools to balance PTRs and boost learning outcomes.

Sources said that Districts like Kupwara kicked off efforts early, addressing over 1000 vacancies through mergers and reallocations by session start, while others finalized adjustments in February 2026 for optimal operations. In stark contrast, Ganderbal lingers without orders into late April. The fallout hits hardest in high-enrollment Hariganiwan, where elevated student numbers clash with limited faculty, eroding academic quality. Another institution head warned that mid-session rationalisation now risks further disruption, insisting it's the "need of the hour" to salvage the year amid DSEK's ambitious calendar and NEP 2020 alignment. They have urged the administration to expedite the process before the mid-term exams, so that academic loss to students can be prevented.

When contacted, CEO Ganderbal, Oneel Kumar Bhat said that “the process of rationalisation will be started soon. “ We have approved it and will be completed shortly to ensure balanced staff deployment across the district” CEO told this newspaper. (GK)

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JKBOPEE Answer Key 2026 Out Now!

JKBOPEE BSc Nursing, Paramedical & Technology CET 2026 Answer Key Released

JKBOPEE BSc Nursing, Paramedical & Technology CET 2026 Answer Key (All Series) has been officially released 📄

📅 Exam Date: 26 April 2026
📥 Check & Download PDF from official website

Candidates can now match their answers and estimate their scores before the result.

Visit JKBOPEE official website for direct link