EDUCATION

Meer Irfan An outbreak of jaundice has been reported across several areas of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, with health authorities tracing the cause to contaminated drinking water. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that the worst-hit areas include Turkawangam, Trenz, Pahnoo, Sedow, Pehlipora, and parts of Shopian town, where dozens of cases have surfaced over the past week. They said that the patients are showing symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and yellowing of the eyes, triggering fear of a wider health crisis. Doctors at the District Hospital Shopian said most cases remain manageable but warned that negligence could worsen the situation. “Jaundice is treatable, but if ignored, it can lead to complications. People should immediately seek medical help instead of relying only on hom...

The Indian Nursing Council (INC) has formally withdrawn recognition of 13 nursing institutes in Jammu Kashmir, raising grave concerns over the future of hundreds of students who pursued professional courses at these institutions. The derecognition, issued under Section 14 of the INC Act 1947, has stripped the degrees of pan-India validity, effectively blocking nursing graduates from the the region to seek jobs outside J&K. In a notification circulated earlier this month, the INC said the decision followed repeated reminders and communications to the J&K administration which went unanswered. The apex nursing body cited indiscipline, irregularities, and non-compliance with statutory rules and regulations as the primary grounds for its decision. “Despite repeated reminders, t...

Faizan Bashir It’s a welcome step that the Honorable Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, accompanied by Health Minister Sakina Itoo, visited AIIMS Awantipora on 8th September 2025. With the finalization of the project expected by the end of next year, and OPD and IPD services set to become functional this year and next, their visit has brought relief to the people of Kashmir, particularly South Kashmir. The AIIMS Awantipora project has faced multiple delays before this announcement. It is set to be a major milestone in Kashmir’s healthcare sector, offering advanced treatment options with qualified doctors and staff. However, it remains to be seen whether the hospital will be operational by next year as promised. Awantipora’s counterpart, AIIMS Jammu, was inaugurated by the Honorable Pr...

The University of Kashmir has made a strong mark in the Stanford University Rankings 2025, with fourteen of its faculty members featured among the world’s leading researchers. Those recognised include Adil Gani, Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Idrees Ahmad Wani, Farooq Ahmad Masoodi, Mudasir Ahmad, Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, Faheem Arjamend Sheikh, Shabir Ahmad Parah, Ghulam Jeelani, Firdous Ahmad Shah, Arshid Bashir, Lateef Ahmad Malik, Shariefuddin Pirzada and Reyaz Hassan Mir. Among them, Dr. Adil Gani achieved rare global distinction by being placed in the career-long impact category, securing a position in the top one per cent of scientists worldwide. NIT Srinagar has also seen significant representation in the rankings, with nine of its faculty members being named. These include Prof. M.F. Wani...

Students of the Royal Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Ganderbal, staged a protest on Tuesday, blocking the road and demanding justice after the Indian Nursing Council (INC) withdrew national recognition for their college. The INC withdrew its approval after an inspection found serious deficiencies under Section 14 of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. As per the order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), degrees obtained from the institute after March 2025 will be valid only within Jammu and Kashmir and will not be accepted for national recruitment exams such as NORECT, CRE, ESIC, and RRB. Students said the decision has jeopardized their future and accused the college administration of remaining silent. “INC has withdrawn recognition for ou...

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda for sanctioning 50 MBBS seats at the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME). In a post on X, office of LG J&K, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner—KNC, said the step aligns with the Shrine Board’s vision to improve medical education and healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Shrine Board had already approved the establishment of a medical college with 50 seats at Kakryal during its 71st meeting in August 2023, with a long-term plan to upgrade it to a 100-seat college. “By increasing MBBS seats in recent years, we are not only providing opportunities for local aspirants but also ensuring specialized h...

In a major boost to medical education in Jammu Kashmir, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has today issued Letters of Permission (LoP) for 190 additional MBBS seats across five Government Medical Colleges of the region. The approvals include 50 additional seats each for Government Medical College Baramulla, Government Medical College Doda, and Government Medical College Kathua, while Government Medical College Jammu and Government Medical College Srinagar have been allotted 20 seats each. With this development, the total MBBS intake in Government Medical Colleges of Jammu Kashmir has now jumped from 1,185 to 1,375 seats. This timely enhancement will significantly increase opportunities for aspiring medical students from Jammu Kashmir, reduce competition pressure, and contribute t...

Sheikh Nadeem Authorities on Wednesday ordered the closure of all schools across the Kashmir for the day following continuous heavy rains that have disrupted life. Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), G.N. Itoo, announced that both government and private schools in the division will remain shut. He said the step has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and commuters amid the prevailing weather conditions. The Valley has witnessed incessant rainfall over the past 24 hours, leading to rising water levels in rivers and streams, prompting authorities to issue advisories and take preventive steps. Education authorities said regular classwork would resume once the weather improves and conditions are deemed safe.

Danishwar Hameed Several government schools in Qaimoh zone have suffered damage following continuous rainfall over the past few days, with rising water levels in the area raising serious concerns. Major losses have been reported from two institutions, Kasturiba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Residential School, Kharama Ganesh Wanpoh, and PM Shri Government Middle School, Wanpora. Locals appreciated the efforts of Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Qaimoh, Zafar Iqbal Bhat, along with concerned staff members, for promptly cleaning and shifting vital office records to safer locations, thereby preventing further damage. Residents, however, urged the government and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, to construct double-storey school buildings in the area to withstand such situa...

Suhail Dar On Saturday morning, teams of Jammu Kashmir Police reached several schools across the Valley, triggering fresh controversy as officials claimed the institutions were linked to the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT), which they allege functions as an affiliate of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami. FAT chairman Ghulam Nabi Dar has refuted the association with Jamaat e Islami, saying, “We are not Jamaat; we are running schools where thousands of children are receiving education, and dragging us into politics is unfair,” even as authorities maintained that FAT remains under the scanner for its alleged connections to the proscribed organisation. The move has triggered a political and administrative controversy, with Education Minister Sakina Itoo distancing herself from the language of the or...