Srinagar, Apr 16: In a latest development, the Higher Education Department (HED) has done away with the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admission to Four Year Under Graduate Programmes (FYUGP) in colleges for the current academic session.

The decision has been taken in wake of the restoration of the November session for schools. The result of class 12th J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) exams was declared in January this year following which the qualified students have been waiting for the commencement of the admission process in the Degree Colleges across Kashmir.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Colleges J&K Prof Sheikh Aijaz Ahmad said that this year Higher Education Department will offer non CUET admission in all the 144 colleges this year. “Earlier we used to do CUET admission in only 39 colleges but this year all the colleges will offer admission on the basis of class 12th qualification,” he told Greater Kashmir.

This newspaper earlier reported that the students who qualified class 12 examination in Kashmir were in a dilemma due to a widening transition gap between the academic calendars of the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and the Higher Education Department (HED).

As per the academic schedule, class 12 results were declared in January 2026, while the new academic session in colleges was supposed to begin only between July and August in line with CUET. This misalignment would leave qualified class 12 students with an idle period of nearly six to seven months before they can enter college. To address the issue, the HED has now decided to offer non CUET admissions in all the colleges. In this regard, an official notification has been issued by the Director Colleges J&K informing students about the announcement of the admission process for Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes (FYUGP) and Integrated Postgraduate Programmes for the academic session 2026–27.

“The admission process will commence shortly across all Government Degree Colleges in the Union Territory,” the notification reads. As per the notification, admissions for the upcoming session will be conducted on the basis of 10+2 merit, doing away with the CUET-based process. The department has further clarified that all undergraduate admissions shall be granted purely on the basis of marks obtained in the Class 12 examinations. The decision has been taken to streamline the admission process for which the authorities have introduced a centralised admission system for the aspiring students. “All aspirants will be required to register through a Centralised Admission Portal, the link and detailed guidelines for which will be notified separately,” it reads.

The notification further reads that students will have to submit their preferences for colleges and courses through the portal. “The allotment of seats will be carried out on the basis of merit and the preferences indicated by the candidates, ensuring a transparent and structured admission mechanism,” the notice reads. As per the notification, the students have been informed that the detailed admission schedule, including dates for registration, preference filling, seat allotment, and fee submission, will be announced later through a formal notification. As of now, the department has issued an early advisory to help students and parents prepare in advance. “Students who have passed or appeared in the Class 12 examinations from JKBOSE, CBSE, or any recognised board are advised to explore the academic programmes offered by various Government Degree Colleges across J&K,” the notice reads.

Authorities have also encouraged students and parents to visit college campuses to gain a better understanding of course structures and interact with faculty members as well.

To facilitate the admission process, counselling and facilitation cells have already been established in all Government Degree Colleges.  “These cells are currently functional and are expected to assist students in choosing courses, understanding eligibility criteria, and addressing admission-related queries,” the notice reads. The department has also urged students to familiarise themselves with the key features of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, under which the FYUGP framework operates. These include multiple exit option, certificate after the first year, diploma after the second year, degree after the third year, and honours or research degree after the fourth year along with provisions for major-minor combinations and enhanced academic flexibility. The students have been further advised to visit the official website of the Directorate of Colleges, J&K for further details regarding courses and programmes offered in colleges . “The formal admission notification, along with the registration link and complete schedule, will be released in due course through the official portal and print media,” the notice reads.