JAMMU, Dec 21: The Union Ministry of Education has greenlit projects totaling Rs 85 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) for nine higher education institutions in Jammu & Kashmir.
This decision, made during the third Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting on December 20, 2024, highlights the government’s dedication to enhancing higher education infrastructure and promoting inclusivity and quality in the region.
Among the approved projects, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri is set to receive Rs 20 crore for infrastructure improvement.
Furthermore, five new girls’ hostels will be built in Bandipora, Baramulla, Kulgam, Ramban, and Udhampur, each granted Rs 10 crore to advance gender equity.
Three Government Degree Colleges in Bandipora, Sogam Kupwara, and Nowshera will also obtain Rs 5 crore each for infrastructure upgrades.
PM-USHA, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Education, aims to bridge significant gaps in the higher education sector by enhancing infrastructure, reforming curricula, improving accreditation, and increasing employability.
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the initiative strives to provide equitable access to quality education, especially for marginalized groups, thus promoting a more inclusive and robust higher education environment.
The recent project approvals are part of a greater vision to leverage education as a catalyst for social and economic transformation, helping to reduce regional disparities and equipping students with essential skills for the evolving world.
The Higher Education Department of Jammu & Kashmir previously submitted a detailed proposal covering 47 institutions, with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs 585 crore.
With the latest approvals, a total of 18 institutions, including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and various colleges, have been sanctioned under PM-USHA across three PAB meetings in 2024.
The overall funding has now reached ₹155 crore, a significant achievement in meeting the academic and infrastructural requirements of the region.
The introduction of new hostels and facility upgrades will boost educational quality while fostering gender inclusion, a crucial element of NEP 2020’s equitable development vision.
NEP 2020 advocates for a holistic and multidisciplinary educational approach, emphasizing equity, inclusivity, and excellence.
PM-USHA plays a vital role in realizing this vision by addressing infrastructural deficiencies and advancing reforms that meet global benchmarks.
The sanctioned projects in Jammu & Kashmir will foster an environment conducive to innovation, learning, and employability, ensuring that all societal segments have access to quality education.
These efforts demonstrate the J&K Government’s ongoing commitment to establishing a strong higher education framework that not only tackles current challenges but also anticipates future needs, ensuring the region’s academic institutions are equipped to contribute to national and global advancements.
