J & K Falls Back On 10+2 Merit Amid Empty Classrooms

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- The Higher Education Department on Thursday announced that undergraduate admissions in all Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) across Jammu and Kashmir will no longer be conducted through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) from the academic session 2026–27, reverting instead to a merit-based system on Class 12 scores.

In a fresh notification, the department said that admissions to all UG programmes will be granted on a non-CUET basis, with selections made strictly on the basis of 10+2 marks. Students will, however, be required to register and apply through a centralised admission portal, where allotment of colleges will be determined by merit and the preferences submitted by candidates.

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The department said the advance notice is intended to help students and parents prepare for the upcoming admission cycle, while outlining key changes for the 2026–27 session.

The decision follows concerns over poor enrolment in several government colleges, many of which saw low intake through the CUET route in recent years. Earlier, the department had already exempted 64 GDCs from CUET-based admissions for the 2024–25 session after reviewing admission trends.

Official figures indicate a worrying pattern of declining student numbers across colleges in the Union Territory. As of March 2026, two colleges - GDC Baghi Dilawar Khan and GDC Chattisinghpora - reported no active enrolment. Both institutions have since been placed under the administrative control of Government Degree College Anantnag and S.P College Srinagar, respectively.

Data shared by the government further reveals that 13 colleges have fewer than 30 students each, while at least five colleges were functioning with enrolment below 20 in 2025. Eight colleges had fewer than 30 students, and 14 colleges recorded enrolment below 50.

In addition, 24 colleges had fewer than 100 students, while another 13 institutions reported enrolment in the range of 100 to 300 students.

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The department had earlier acknowledged that many students were reluctant to opt for CUET-based admissions due to factors such as geographical constraints, difficult terrain, and limited infrastructure in certain areas. Of the 64 colleges exempted last year, 35 were in the Jammu division and 29 in the Kashmir region.

Officials said the policy shift was taken after consultations with stakeholders and a review of admission patterns, particularly in colleges where CUET failed to attract adequate student interest.

With the rollback, the administration is expected to rely on the centralised portal and 10+2 merit to streamline admissions and improve enrolment across government colleges in the coming academic session. (inputs from KNO)

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