Big push for higher education: CUK’s Ganderbal campus gets Rs 998 crore nod
Srinagar, Nov 12: In a major development for higher education in Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has approved a revised cost estimate of Rs 998.62 crore for the establishment of the permanent campus of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) at Tulmulla, Ganderbal.
The revised estimate includes a capital outlay of Rs 400.80 crore and recurring expenditure of Rs 146.98 crore for the period 2025–2028, totalling Rs 547.78 crore for the next phase of development.
The approval follows the recommendations of the Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting convened by the Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, on August 18, 2025. The proposal was supported after a detailed presentation by CUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, who outlined the university’s infrastructure challenges and growth plans.
Officials said the MoE’s nod marks a milestone for the university, paving the way for the construction of a state-of-the-art campus with modern academic, administrative, and residential facilities.
Since its establishment in 2009, the Central University of Kashmir has been functioning from temporary campuses across Srinagar and Ganderbal. The lack of a unified campus and adequate infrastructure has hindered its expansion and visibility in national rankings.
Prof. Ravinder Nath, during his presentation, highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure, faculty housing, and expanded academic programmes in line with the university’s mandate. He also detailed the proposed academic and administrative blocks, central facilities, sports complexes, and green digital campus features, emphasising sustainability and inclusivity.
He told the PIB that CUK had maintained continuous engagement with the MoE, Department of Expenditure, and NITI Aayog, ensuring that the long-pending project was re-examined, revised, and finally cleared after addressing all technical, financial, and land-related queries that had delayed progress for nearly 15 years.
Out of the total project cost of Rs 998.62 crore, the capital component is Rs 517.07 crore and recurring Rs 481.55 crore, including Rs 450.83 crore (capital Rs 116.27 crore and recurring Rs 334.56 crore) already incurred since 2009–2025.
Following the approval, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ravinder Nath extended gratitude to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Member of Parliament Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi for their support.
“Beyond a financial sanction, this approval reflects the collective perseverance and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the university community,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
With this approval, the Central University of Kashmir is expected to transition from fragmented operations to a full-fledged modern campus, significantly strengthening higher education infrastructure in the Union Territory.
