BHT aspirants rue decrease in SKUAST-K’s intake capacity

Srinagar, Oct 26: The aspirants of Basic Horticulture Training (BHT) and Basic Agriculture Training (BAT) on Sunday rued the abrupt decrease in the intake capacity of the two courses at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K).

Greater Kashmir received distress calls and emails from scores of aspirants who complained about the issue and said this year, SKUAST-K decreased 50 seats for open merit candidates under the guise of a new reservation policy.

“The intake was decreased for the UG course as well, following which we agreed to their decision. But, later, the university supported the UG students and increased seats for Under Graduate courses, but not for diploma holders,” a group of aspirants said.

The aspirants of BHT and BAT urged the SKUAST-K administration to increase the number of seats for these two diploma programmes on the analogy of UG courses.

“The notification dated October 24, 2025, does not reflect the expectations of aspirants, as the number of seats has been drastically reduced compared to previous years,” the aspirants said.

They said in 2024, nearly 150 students were enrolled for the diploma courses, while less than 50 seats were offered this year for the same courses.

“They have allocated only one seat per district, which is unjust and insufficient given the large number of eligible and meritorious candidates for the course,” the aspirants told Greater Kashmir.

The aspirants urged the SKUAST-K administration to allot at least three to four seats per district on merit while ensuring that all available seats are filled in a fair and transparent manner.

“While UG seats were increased this year on students’ requests, diploma seats were reduced, even though these courses are equally important for youth skill development and employment,” the aspirants said.

They questioned the varsity decision, saying that on what grounds UG courses were exempted from reductions if seats were reduced as per the new reservation policy.

“Many of us have not enrolled in any other institution and have already lost nearly six months and are waiting for this admission process,” the aspirants said.

They said that the first counseling session was held in April, while the next was scheduled for October 28, 2025.

“But our long-standing demand for seat enhancement has still not been addressed. We urge the authorities to look into the matter,” they said.

The aspirants demanded that SKUAST-K must modify the notification dated October 24, 2025, to increase seats for BHT and BAT programmes.

“The university should maintain the same counseling date but issue a revised notification reflecting the seat increase and also ensure that admissions are made purely on the basis of merit,” the aspirants said.

Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Nazir Ganai, was not available for his comments on the issue.

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