Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Dec 5: The Higher Education Department (HED) has issued a stern directive to all universities and autonomous colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, instructing them to strictly adhere to the Uniform Academic Calendar and refrain from conducting any examinations during officially notified vacation periods.
The fresh instructions, issued by Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director Colleges J&K, a copy of which is in possession of news agency JKNS, have been circulated to the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, Cluster Universities of Srinagar and Jammu, and all autonomous colleges.
According to the communiqué, vacations serve as essential breaks for both students and faculty—whether due to harsh winters, foggy weather, or peak summer heat—and are also intended for internships, industrial tours, and academic enrichment activities.
The department noted that some institutions continue to hold term-end, supplementary, or special examinations during vacation periods, undermining the purpose of the notified breaks and increasing pressure on students and staff.
“In continuation of previous instructions, no academic institution shall conduct any examination—regular, backlog, supplementary, or special—during the notified vacation period. All examination-related activities must strictly align with the Uniform Academic Calendar issued in May 2022,” the directive reads.
As per the 2022 academic calendar, winter vacations will begin on December 27. Odd-semester examinations are to be held between December 1 and December 31, while even-semester exams are scheduled from June 15 to July 14.
Notably, similar directions were issued last year as well, instructing universities and autonomous colleges to comply with the standardized academic schedule.
Students Allege Calendar Violation
However, several students from affiliated colleges under Cluster University Srinagar (CUS) told JKNS that their examinations have been scheduled directly within the winter vacation period.
“Our exams are set right in the middle of vacations. Most of our papers are after December 27,” the students said.
Documents accessed by JKNS confirm that Cluster University Srinagar has issued datesheets for various semesters, many of which fall during the winter break—particularly after December 27 and extending into the first two weeks of January.
These include, UG 1st Semester (Batch 2025): Eight papers scheduled after December 27. UG 5th Semester Backlog, One paper scheduled after December 27. UG 5th Semester (Batch 2023), Three papers scheduled after December 27. UG 7th Semester (Batch 2022), Two papers scheduled on December 27 and December 30.
JKNS attempted to contact officials from Cluster University Srinagar as well as the Director Colleges for comment; however, they were unavailable till this report was filed. (JKNS)
