Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 15 

The government has set up a six-member task force to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in universities and colleges, following a decline in student admissions across the region.

The panel, headed by the Director Colleges, will examine the causes behind low enrolment and recommend measures to increase student intake in higher education institutions, according to an order issued by the Higher Education Department.

Members of the committee include officials from the school education departments of both divisions, as well as registrars from the University of Kashmir and the University of Jammu.

The move follows concerns over falling admissions, particularly in newly established government degree colleges, and unfilled seats in postgraduate programmes at universities.

Officials said the issue was reviewed in a meeting chaired by the chief secretary in February, where directions were issued to constitute a task force to address the problem.

Authorities noted that several institutions have struggled to attract students, with universities resorting to spot admissions to fill vacant seats even after entrance processes.

The Central University of Kashmir has also offered additional admission opportunities despite candidates qualifying through national-level entrance tests, reflecting subdued demand.

Officials attributed the trend partly to student preference for older, established colleges over newer institutions, even though many of the latter have improved infrastructure.

Jammu and Kashmir currently has 144 government degree colleges, evenly split between the Kashmir and Jammu regions, including 52 institutions set up in recent years.

Some newly established colleges have faced operational challenges. In one instance, faculty from a Srinagar-based college were relocated to nearby institutions after it failed to attract students and lacked a permanent campus.

The government said the task force may co-opt additional members if required and is expected to propose targeted interventions to strengthen enrolment and utilisation of available capacity across institutions.