Srinagar, July 29: In a landmark achievement that underscores its sustained pursuit of academic excellence, the University of Kashmir (KU) has been accorded the prestigious Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the UGC (Categorisation of Universities for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018.

According to an official communication issued by the UGC Secretary, Prof. Shyama Rath (D.O. No. 91-1/2024(SU-1)/142186), the decision was approved during the Commission's 598th meeting held on July 6, 2026, making the University eligible for enhanced academic, administrative, and financial autonomy available to India's top-performing higher education institutions.
"The University shall now be eligible for all the benefits as stipulated under Clause 4, i.e., Dimensions of Autonomy for Category-I Universities, of these Regulations," the UGC communication states.
Expressing her delight over the achievement, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan described the recognition as a defining moment in the University's journey towards academic excellence.
"The grant of Category-I status by the UGC reflects the University's sustained academic progress and our collective commitment to quality. I sincerely thank our Hon'ble Chancellor, Shri Manoj Sinha, Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Omar Abdullah, and Minister for Higher Education, UT of J&K, Ms. Sakina Itoo, for their continued guidance and support in strengthening higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. I also congratulate our students, scholars, faculty and non-teaching staff, whose dedication and unwavering commitment have made this recognition possible. We will utilise the enhanced autonomy to further expand academic opportunities, research, innovation, and institutional collaborations," she said.
Prof. Khan further noted that the Category-I status would significantly enhance the University's global academic footprint by enabling collaborations with leading international universities, facilitating the engagement of foreign faculty, admitting international students, and offering new Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes in accordance with UGC regulations.
She said the enhanced autonomy would further strengthen research, innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and internationalisation initiatives.
The recognition follows the University's outstanding performance in the NAAC Re-accreditation Cycle (2025), in which it secured an A Grade with a CGPA of 3.68—the highest accreditation score in the University's history. Under the UGC Regulations, Category-I status is conferred on universities that achieve a NAAC score of 3.51 or above.
With this recognition, the University of Kashmir will enjoy greater flexibility to introduce new academic programmes, revise curricula, promote interdisciplinary education, establish research and innovation ecosystems, forge national and international collaborations, and undertake a range of academic and administrative initiatives with minimal regulatory approvals.
The conferment of UGC Category-I status marks a significant milestone in the University's evolution as a centre of academic excellence and innovation, while reinforcing its commitment to the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and positioning it among the country's leading institutions of higher learning