JAMMU, November 5, 2026 – Emphasizing a result-oriented transformation of the higher education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has set a strict six-month deadline for universities across the Union Territory to fully roll out the innovative “Design Your Degree” (DYD) programme.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting of the J&K Higher Education Council (JKHEC) chaired by the Lieutenant Governor at Lok Bhavan in Jammu on Wednesday. The meeting focused on translating the Council’s initiatives into tangible outcomes, ensuring the effective utilization of resources, and building a comprehensive, holistic, and student-centric education system in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
A major highlight of the meeting was the strategic push to modernize university curricula. The Council discussed modalities for setting up a specialized task force tasked with integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)—including Machine Learning and Deep Learning—and Data Science into undergraduate and postgraduate academic programs. Emphasizing the need to prepare students for emerging technological challenges, LG Sinha stressed that new programs must also incorporate local languages and cultures to ensure rooted, relevant education.
“Successful implementation of these reforms will require institutional changes, stronger collaboration among universities, and a long-term strategy,” the Lieutenant Governor remarked, calling for a culture of research and innovation to strategically align J&K’s academic institutions with future challenges.
The meeting also called for enhanced inter-university collaboration, promoting the sharing of academic credits, research laboratories, and other academic resources to foster an integrated educational ecosystem.
Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman of JKHEC, echoed the need for clear policy directives to align undergraduate and postgraduate curricula with the progressive DYD framework.
The high-level meeting witnessed the participation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Higher Education Shamim Firdous, and Vice-Chancellors from various universities across Jammu and Kashmir. Also in attendance were the Directors of IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu, and NIT Srinagar, alongside representatives from IIT Bombay and Delhi University, underscoring the collaborative approach being taken to overhaul J&K’s higher education landscape.
Published by True Roots Media Network