J&K Govt introduces Private Universities Bill in Assembly

Jammu, Apr 2: 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 Sakeena Masood Itoo, provides a legal framework for establishing private universities and for regulating their functioning, management, and academic standards.
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 Private University shall be of the unitary type with its main campus in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and shall not have power to affiliate or recognize any college or institution,” reads the bill.
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.
According to the Bill, any sponsoring body desirous to establish a Private University shall make an application to the Government, containing an outline of the purpose and vision of the proposed Private University, the project report in such manner containing such particulars along with such non-refundable application fee not exceeding rupees twenty-five lakhs as may be prescribed in the rules.
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, the bill provides. (KNO)