SRINAGAR: The Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) in Rajouri is facing a serious financial strain, with the Jammu and Kashmir government confirming a salary deficit of Rs 13.48 crore for the ongoing fiscal year 2025–26.
According to official data tabled in the assembly, the university’s total grant-in-aid from the Jammu and Kashmir government has increased from Rs 22.99 crore in 2022–23 to Rs 34.95 crore in 2024–25, with an additional Rs 21.80 crore released up to September 2025. However, the rising salary expenditure—estimated at Rs 48.48 crore this fiscal—has left the institution struggling to meet its financial obligations.
The university, which also receives CAPEX grants for development projects, was allocated Rs 4.22 crore in 2022–23, Rs 1.83 crore in 2023–24, and Rs 2.14 crore in 2024–25. For the current year, the CAPEX grant stands at Rs 95 lakh. Despite these allocations, the institution’s finances show recurring shortfalls, with internal resources contributing Rs 79.33 crore in 2022–23 but declining sharply to Rs 7.06 crore in 2024–25.
In its reply, the government said the university has repeatedly requested the Wakf Board for its annual contribution of Rs 2 crore, but no payment has been received since October 2019. The absence of this support, along with limited internal revenue, has worsened the university’s financial stability.
For 2025–26, the government has sanctioned Rs 35 crore as grant-in-aid for salaries of permanent employees. Yet, with salary expenditure projected to touch Rs 48.48 crore, the deficit remains significant. The university also lacks separate budgetary support for filling vacant teaching and non-teaching posts or for covering operational and maintenance costs, forcing it to rely on what it termed “meagre internal resources.”
The university’s annual income for 2024–25 stood at Rs 28.87 crore, against an expenditure of Rs 51.99 crore, resulting in a shortfall of Rs 21.92 crore. Even in earlier years, BGSBU reported consistent deficits—Rs 6.18 crore in 2023–24 and Rs 2.11 crore in 2022–23.
Officials have urged the government to enhance the grant-in-aid allocation, citing the need to maintain academic operations and pay salaries on time. Despite its financial troubles, the university continues to run several academic departments, including engineering, sciences, humanities, and nursing, across its Rajouri, Jammu, and Kishtwar campuses.
The Minister in charge of Higher Education said the government is aware of the financial distress at BGSBU and is examining measures to ensure stable funding for the university’s operations.
