The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Thursday introduced the “Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Bill, 2026” in the Legislative Assembly.The proposed law, introduced by Minister for Higher Education Sakina Masood Ittoo, provides a legal framework for establishing private universities and for regulating their functioning, management, and academic standards.
Through “The Bill for the Establishment and Incorporation of Private Universities in Jammu and Kashmir and for Ensuring Academic Standards to Safeguard Quality Education and Protect the Interests of Students,” the Government proposes for the establishment of private Universities in the UT of J&K to supplement its efforts in promoting higher education.
For this purpose, it is necessary to establish a framework for the governance , management and regulation of private universities to ensure maintenance of standards and quality education. Through this Bill, the Government intends to protect the interests of the students in private universities and prevent commercialization of education.
As per the statement of the Bill, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a growing demand for quality higher education. With the limited capacity of Government universities, there is a need to encourage the establishment of Private Universities to supplement the efforts of the Government in promoting higher education and to provide more opportunities for the youth of the region.
At the same time, it is essential to put in place a robust regulatory framework to ensure that Private Universities maintain academic standards, protect the interests of students, and do not indulge in commercialization of education.According to the proposed legislation, a sponsoring body can set up a private university in Jammu & Kashmir only if must be registered for at least three years, have education as its primary objective, sound finances, clean credentials, and lawful possession of adequate land and facilities.
The sponsoring body must also appoint qualified faculty, maintain proper infrastructure, and comply with government and UGC regulations.According to the proposed legislation, the Government may permit the establishment of a Private University by any sponsoring body in the manner provided under this legislation and shall declare such establishment by notification upon satisfaction of the conditions specified for it.
The Bill provides that Private University may establish constituent colleges, regional centres, additional campuses and study centers at such places in the Union Territory as it deems fit subject to the norms of UGC and other regulatory bodies.The Bill states that the Government shall constitute an Expert Committee headed by administrative secretary Higher Education to examine the applications received for establishing private universities.The Regulatory Authority will oversee private universities by ensuring they follow the law, inspecting them when needed, advising the government, handling complaints, and recommending action against those that violate the rules.
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