Kashmir Impulse Desk

Leh, July 5

A two-day career guidance seminar aimed at encouraging students from Ladakh to pursue admission to premier educational institutions and competitive examinations concluded in Leh and Kargil, with educationists and officials emphasising the importance of mentorship, discipline and career planning in improving opportunities for the region’s youth.

The programme, organised by Career Defence School, brought together students, education officials and career counsellors in separate sessions held in Leh and Kargil to guide on preparing for national-level entrance examinations, including those for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the National Defence Academy (NDA), medical colleges and other professional institutions.

Organisers said the seminar sought to familiarise students with career pathways available beyond conventional academic streams while addressing queries on competitive examinations, scholarships, residential coaching facilities and emerging employment opportunities.

The event was led by Career Defence School founder and Chief Executive Officer Vinay Rai and Administrative Officer Gagan Wadhwa, with coordination by Khan Jahangeer and Amir Suhail.

In Leh, the seminar was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner to the Lieutenant Governor Sheikh Adil, District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Principal S.D. Namgail, Head of Department Anchay Yagdol and other education officials.

Addressing students, Adil urged them not to view setbacks as barriers to success, saying perseverance and consistent effort were essential to achieving long-term goals.

He encouraged students to strengthen their communication skills, build self-confidence and prepare themselves to compete at the national level.

Namgail described the seminar as a meaningful initiative that would help students better understand opportunities available through competitive examinations and higher education institutions across the country.

In Kargil, the event was attended by Private Schools Association President Murtaza Khaleli and In-charge Chief Education Officer Sarwar Shahzad, who highlighted the importance of discipline, hard work and ethical values in shaping successful careers.

Khaleli urged students to remain focused on education and constructive pursuits while developing critical thinking skills to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive academic environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Rai said students from Leh and Kargil possessed considerable potential but required sustained guidance and exposure to compete successfully at the national level.

He said the institution was committed to preparing students for examinations such as JEE Main, NEET, the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) entrance examination and the NDA, while also focusing on personality development and leadership skills.

Interactive question-and-answer sessions formed a key part of the seminar, with students seeking information on eligibility criteria for defence services, preparation strategies for engineering and medical entrance examinations, hostel facilities, scholarship opportunities, physical fitness requirements and the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping future careers.

Organisers said the programme was conducted in collaboration with the Ladakh Education Department as part of broader efforts to improve career awareness and equip students from the Union Territory with the information and guidance needed to pursue higher education and professional opportunities across India.