Centre Approves 9 Projects Worth Rs 85 Crore for Jammu & Kashmir Universities.

The Central government has sanctioned nine projects worth Rs. 85 crore for universities and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) flagship programme, aiming to enhance the region's higher education infrastructure.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Union Ministry for Education announced that the projects were approved during the third Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting held on December 20, 2024. These initiatives are part of the government's ongoing effort to improve higher education infrastructure and promote inclusivity and excellence in the region.

Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri will receive Rs 20 crore to enhance its infrastructure. The programme also includes the construction of five new girls' hostels in focus districts: Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam, Ramban, and Udhampur, with each receiving Rs 10 crore to foster gender equity.

Three Government Degree Colleges—located in Bandipora, Sogam Kupwara, and Nowshera—will each be granted Rs 5 crore for infrastructure development and upgradation. These projects are part of PM-USHA, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to address gaps in the higher education sector by improving infrastructure, curriculum, accreditation, and employability.

The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on equitable access to quality education and fostering a more inclusive and dynamic higher education ecosystem. This approval is part of a broader vision to transform education into a driver of social and economic change while reducing regional disparities.

The Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department had previously submitted a proposal for 47 institutions with an estimated total cost of Rs 585 crore. Including these recent approvals, 18 institutions in the region have received support under PM-USHA through three PAB meetings in 2024, with a cumulative funding of Rs 155 crore.

These investments in infrastructure will enhance educational quality, support gender inclusion, and contribute to the goals of NEP 2020. The projects are designed to foster innovation, learning, and employability, ensuring that students across all communities can access quality education. This sustained effort reflects the commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir government to create a robust higher education framework to meet future challenges and contribute to national and global progress.

ET