House Passes Jammu and Kashmir Private University Bill

Jammu/The House today passed the Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Bill 2026 (LA Bill No. 08 of 2026) which deals with the establishment and incorporation of private universities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The bill, introduced by Education Minister Sakina Ito, reads, “This is a bill to provide for the establishment and incorporation of private universities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and to regulate their functioning, management and administration and educational standards so as to ensure quality education and protect the interests of students.”

Speaking about the bill, she said that the government has taken into account all the issues and concerns related to the higher education sector of Jammu and Kashmir before preparing this bill. She added that this bill will pave the way for the establishment of private universities and promote the higher education sector here. He further said that this will benefit many students of Jammu and Kashmir who were going outside Jammu and Kashmir for higher education.

MLAs Mir Saifullah, Nizamuddin Butt, Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah and Tanveer Sadiq moved amendments to the bill. However, after the assurance of the Education Minister, they withdrew their amendments.

MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia also moved an amendment which was rejected by voice vote.

Later, the Speaker put the bill for voice vote after which it was passed.