JAMMU KASHMIR
Fresh data tabled in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly points to a stark regional disparity in the distribution of reservation certificates, with Jammu accounting for nearly 86 per cent of the 11.81 lakh certificates issued across seven categories, compared to just 14 per cent in Kashmir. The skew is most visible in Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste benefits: of 7.49 lakh ST certificates, over 92 per cent went to Jammu, while in the SC category, more than 98 per cent were issued there. Categories linked to border areas also show heavy concentration, with over 93 per cent of ALC and all IB certificates issued in Jammu. Even in the Economically Weaker Sections, Jammu received over 91 per cent of certificates. Only the Reserved Backward Area category showed near parity. The figures highlight a significant regional imbalance in access to reservation-linked opportunities.
Jammu and Kashmir’s transport sector generated Rs 942.22 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 706.35 crore in the first nine months of 2025-26.
JAMMU
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was informed that the government has strengthened its response to online misinformation through a new media monitoring mechanism under the Directorate of Information and Public Relations. Minister Sakina Itoo said a dedicated cell now tracks websites, news channels and social media in real time and has issued 28 rebuttals this year, aiming to curb fake news and protect institutional credibility.
Marriage assistance demand surged from about 26,000 applicants in 2024-25 to 44,302 in 2025-26, with the scheme costing the exchequer nearly Rs 234 crore as of December 2025.
RAJASTHAN
Thirty-three Kashmiri students enrolled in the BSc Nursing programme at Mewar University in Chittorgarh have been suspended after protesting the institution’s failure to secure mandatory approvals from the Rajasthan Nursing Council and the Indian Nursing Council. The absence of statutory recognition has placed the academic and professional future of over 45 students in jeopardy, casting doubt on the validity of their degrees and eligibility for registration and employment. Despite repeated assurances that a No-Objection Certificate is in process, delays persist, leaving students in uncertainty.
Automobile retail sales in Jammu and Kashmir rose 9.95 per cent year-on-year to 14,470 units in January 2026, up from 13,161 units a year earlier.
JAMMU KASHMIR
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly flagged a deepening crisis in public works execution, with members warning that contracts awarded at 60–80 per cent below sanctioned rates are severely undermining the quality and durability of infrastructure. Legislators said such “abnormally low” bids make it financially unviable to meet engineering standards, resulting in substandard roads, repeated repairs and mounting costs. The practice, they cautioned, encourages corner-cutting and corruption while delaying projects. The House urged the government to reform the tendering system, enforce accountability and blacklist defaulting contractors to safeguard public assets. Experts believe that with not much work around and too many construction companies in the field, the stakeholders are getting into loss-making to stay afloat. It is a national phenomenon, they assert.
Of the 1,425 structures demolished across Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir accounted for an overwhelming share with 1,133 removals in Srinagar alone, far exceeding Jammu district’s 237 cases.
JAMMU
In a rare conciliatory move, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought to have his “un-parliamentary” remarks expunged from the Assembly record, saying he may have been swayed by emotions and regretted if BJP members were hurt. His statement came amid continued protests by BJP legislators, who disrupted Question Hour last week, refused to list their questions, staged a walkout and later held a sit-in demanding an apology. Abdullah said he represented voters on both Treasury and Opposition benches and did not want their constituencies ignored. The Speaker declined to intervene on the Chief Minister’s behalf and urged order in the House. Despite Abdullah’s softened tone and offer to withdraw his words, BJP members persisted with sloganeering and insisted that the House would not function normally until he issued an unconditional apology.
Kashmir’s saffron recorded sales worth Rs 534.53 crore in 2024–25
JAMMU KASHMIR
The Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the Assembly that there is no proposal to declare the Union Territory dry, stating liquor sales have generated over Rs 3,450 crore in the last three years and warning that prohibition could trigger smuggling, illicit brewing, organised mafias, public health risks and losses to tourism and allied sectors. District data shows Jammu as the top contributor, earning Rs 512.62 crore in 2022-23, Rs 508.26 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 522.93 crore in 2024-25, with outlets rising to 153 wine shops and 97 bars. Kathua generated about Rs 123.67 crore, Rs 122.17 crore and Rs 126.95 crore, while Samba increased from Rs 82.29 crore to Rs 102.99 crore. Udhampur grew to Rs 129.88 crore. In Kashmir, Srinagar more than doubled revenue from Rs 30.87 crore to Rs 76.33 crore. Anantnag rose sharply to Rs 20 crore. Rajouri peaked at Rs 152.32 crore. Several districts, including Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Budgam and Kulgam, had no liquor outlets.
The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) saw its operational revenue rise from Rs 85.96 crore in 2021–22 to Rs 164.82 crore in 2022–23 and Rs 190.57 crore in 2023–24, before moderating to about Rs 174.91 crore in 2024–25.
MUMBAI
Rouble Nagi, a Jammu-born artist and social worker, has won the US $1 million Global Teacher Prize at the World Government Summit in Dubai, becoming the tenth recipient of the award since it was instituted in 2015. Founder of the Mumbai-based Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has spent over two decades bringing education to underserved communities through art-led learning models. Her foundation has established more than 800 learning centres and reached over one million children with education, vocational skills and awareness programmes. Her Misaal Mumbai initiative has renovated and painted over 1.5 lakh homes, turning neighbourhood walls into open-air classrooms. She plans to use the prize money to set up a free vocational training institute for disadvantaged youth and women.
The government has disbursed Rs 657.83 crore in industrial subsidies over the past four financial years against apthe proved Rs 1,003.55 crore in incentives for 3,187 industrial units across Jammu and Kashmir under various support schemes.
SOPORE
Kashmir’s winter wetlands have recorded an unusual surge in migratory bird activity this season, highlighted by the first-ever sighting of the tundra-bean goose at Wular Lake, marking a new entry in the Valley’s avian records. Officials reported lakhs of birds arriving after rethe cent snowfall and rising water levels, turning major lakes into seasonal habitats. Wular, regarded as Asia’s second-largest freshwater lake, is hosting large concentrations of waterfowl, alongside rare species such as falcated duck and smew. Meanwhile, Hokersar Wetland, Srinagar’s largest wetland, has seen over 13 lakh migratory birds, including an uncommon increase in short-eared owls. Birds travelling along the Central Asian flyway from Siberia, Europe and Central Asia use these wetlands as winter feeding grounds before returning for breeding in spring. Authorities attribute the higher footfall to improved conservation measures, better water retention and habitat restoration across the Valley’s protected water bodies.
Over the past two years, Jammu and Kashmir inspected 13,692 vehicles, registered 446 cases and recovered over Rs 33 crore in penalties in a technology-backed crackdown on illegal mineral extraction and transport.
SAWLAKOTE
Following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, the Centre has cleared construction of the Sawalkote hydropower project on the Chenab in Udhampur and Ramban for Rs 5,129 crore. The 1,856 MW run-of-the-river scheme, stalled for nearly four decades, will be built in two stages and is expected to take nine years. Executed by NHPC Limited, it is the first major project to advance after the treaty was put in abeyance. The move forms part of a broader push to fast-track strategic Chenab basin projects to maximise India’s permitted water use and boost regional power generation capacity.
Mining operations across Jammu and Kashmir generated approximately Rs 455.11 crore in revenue over the last three financial years.
SHOPIAN
Retired Army officer Deep Bhagat revisited Shopian, where he once conducted counter-insurgency operations during the peak militancy of the 1990s and early 2000s, describing the return as deeply emotional. After nearly 30 years of service, he travelled the same roads on a motorcycle, unarmed and without security, contrasting sharply with earlier deployments marked by constant threat and combat readiness. In a social media video, Bhagat recalled the fear and violence that once defined the area but noted visible calm and normalcy today, calling the transformation a sign of lasting change and restored public confidence.
LADAKH
Leaders of the Leh Apex Body have said the Union Government appears unwilling to grant Ladakh Sixth Schedule safeguards and restore statehood after an inconclusive meeting of the High-Powered Committee with the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. Co-chairman Cherring Dorjay Lakruk said the Centre highlighted drawbacks rather than supporting the demands. Representatives of the Kargil Democratic Alliance echoed that no firm outcome emerged, though talks would continue. The meeting, chaired by Nityanand Rai, followed last year’s unrest in Leh. Ladakh leaders plan internal consultations and a public briefing while pressing for sustained dialogue.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board doubled the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris, service providers and staff from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage.
MUMBAI
Kashmir-born singer Rauhan Malik is drawing on memory, language and landscape as he prepares to release his new three-track EP Karvaan, charting his emotional and artistic journey after the success of his 2025 breakout hit Ishq. Raised in Sopore amid Kashmiri prayers, folk songs and instruments like the rabab and santoor, Malik says his roots shape both his sound and purpose. Now based in Noida, the 25-year-old views distance as deepening his connection to home and his resolve to represent Kashmir on larger stages. Karvaan, created with poet-lyricist Saqib Nabi, moves from loss in Alvida to introspection in the Sufi-influenced title track and optimism in Zindagi. Malik first began independently with minimal resources and later co-founded Stalwart Music Factory. His song Ishq went viral with over 360 million YouTube views and 490 million Spotify streams, cementing his national reach while keeping his focus on meaningful, culturally rooted music.
