Valley's pandits to get admission concessions for Kashmiri Migrants within existing quota

The extension of concessions available for children of Kashmiri migrants for admission in higher educational institutions to Kashmiri Pandits living in the valley will be within the existing quota only, the HRD Ministry has clarified. The ministry had last month decided that the concessions available for Kashmiri migrants will also be available to non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits or Kashmiri Hindu families, for admission into higher educational institutions in other parts of the country from the 2020-21 academic session.

READ: IMD predicts heavy rainfall over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh

Following the notification, the Ministry received various queries from educational institutions about whether the "increase in intake capacity up to 5 per cent course-wise and reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions is over and above the existing quota. 

READ: Kashmiri Sunanda Vashisht exposes Pakistan at US Congressional hearing

"It is clarified that the concessions for wards of both Kashmiri Migrants and Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley for admission in higher educational institutions from academic year 2020-21 and onwards are within the existing quota till further orders," the HRD Ministry said in an official communication.

The HRD Ministry had taken the decision following discussion with the Home Ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government after it had received several representations to extend the concessions to non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits as well. The concessions granted to students include relaxation in cut-off percentage up to 10 per cent subject to minimum eligibility requirement, increase in intake capacity up to five per cent in each course and reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions. While there is no requirement of domicile certificate of Kashmiri migrants, the Kashmiri Pandits or Kashmiri Hindu families living in the valley will need domicile certificate to avail concession. 

READ: Better to keep '3 persons' in detention if Kashmir remains peaceful: MoS PMO to officers

Earlier in October, the HRD officials clarified that the concessions granted to the students include relaxation in cut-off percentage up to 10 per cent subject to minimum eligibility requirement, increase in intake capacity up to five per cent in each course and reservation of at least one seat in merit quota in technical and professional institutions.

"While there is no requirement of domicile certificate of Kashmiri migrants, the Kashmiri Pandits or Kashmiri Hindu families living in the valley will need domicile certificate to avail concession," the official said.

READ: US Commission cautioned against 'motivated' witnesses on Kashmir