New Delhi, Jul 11: The JK Peace Forum has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to introduce a 5% supernumerary quota for registered Kashmiri migrant students in professional colleges and higher educational institutions across the Union Territory from the 2026-27 academic session, alleging that displaced students continue to be denied educational benefits available elsewhere in the country.
In a representation submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Education Minister and the Relief Commissioner, the forum said successive governments have spoken about the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants but have failed to introduce a dedicated educational support mechanism for their children within Jammu and Kashmir.
The forum said the proposed quota would apply to admissions in medical, dental, AYUSH, nursing, engineering, law, agriculture, veterinary, management institutions, government universities, as well as postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
According to the representation, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education), through a communication dated October 15, 2019, recognised the educational hardships faced by Kashmiri migrant students and enabled institutions across the country to provide special concessions, including supernumerary seats, relaxation in admission criteria and increased intake.
The JK Peace Forum argued that while migrant students can avail such concessions in institutions outside Jammu and Kashmir, similar provisions have not been extended within the Union Territory. It termed this a policy inconsistency and called for corrective measures.
The forum maintained that the proposed 5% supernumerary quota would create additional seats without reducing the intake or affecting the rights of candidates in existing reservation categories.
It further said educational rehabilitation should form an integral part of the government’s rehabilitation policy for displaced families, adding that access to higher education is essential for ensuring long-term social and economic rehabilitation.
Referring to constitutional provisions, the forum cited Articles 14, 15, 21 and 46, stating that they provide for equality, protection of vulnerable sections and promotion of educational opportunities.
It also referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997, saying the legislation recognises Kashmiri migrants as a distinct displaced community requiring continued protection.
The representation questioned why educational concessions recognised by the Centre had not been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir and called upon the government to notify the proposed quota before the commencement of the 2026-27 academic session.
JK Peace Forum Secretary Satish Mahaldar said the demand was not for special privilege but for equal educational opportunities for the children of displaced families.
“For more than three decades, Kashmiri migrants have been assured of rehabilitation, yet their children continue to lack dedicated educational support in Jammu and Kashmir. We urge the government to introduce a 5% supernumerary quota to ensure educational justice and meaningful rehabilitation,” Mahaldar said.
The forum appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Jammu and Kashmir Government to take an early decision on the proposal so that it can be implemented from the upcoming academic session.
