SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an annual academic and content audit of books, journals and other educational resources in government and recognised private degree colleges, directing institutions to withdraw material found objectionable, factually inaccurate, unlawful or inconsistent with prescribed academic standards.
The Higher Education Department issued Circular No. 02-JK(HE) of 2026 on July 9, establishing a three-tier scrutiny mechanism at the college, Directorate and administrative department levels for evaluating library and other learning resources.
The exercise covers all library holdings irrespective of when or how they were acquired, including printed books, digital resources, reference collections, journals, periodicals, research publications and other educational material. The audit is not limited to material purchased during the current procurement cycle.
Under the circular, institutions have been directed to assess educational resources for academic relevance, factual authenticity, pedagogical suitability, research credibility, linguistic accuracy, curricular relevance, copyright compliance and conformity with applicable laws, University Grants Commission regulations and government policy.
The department has also directed that material containing content that promotes, glorifies, legitimises or justifies terrorism, violent extremism, secessionism, radicalisation or activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, integrity or security of India should not be procured, recommended, retained or circulated.
Material identified during the scrutiny as objectionable or inconsistent with academic standards, factual accuracy, constitutional values or the applicable legal framework is to be withdrawn from circulation and placed in safe custody pending further orders.
The circular establishes a College Academic and Content Scrutiny Committee at every college under the supervision of the principal. The committee will comprise the principal as chairperson, the librarian as member secretary and senior-most heads of departments in arts, social sciences and language/literature.
At the Directorate level, a Directorate Academic Review and Verification Committee will scrutinise college audit reports, conduct random or sample-based verification where required, constitute expert panels for specialised scrutiny and issue corrective directions.
A Departmental Review Committee has also been constituted at the administrative level under the Administrative Secretary, Higher Education Department. It will review consolidated reports, monitor compliance across Jammu and Kashmir, issue policy directions and examine cases involving serious academic, legal or administrative implications.
The department has made principals primarily responsible for implementation within their institutions. They are required to personally supervise the audit and certify that the prescribed scrutiny has been completed and that material identified for withdrawal, replacement or further examination has been reported through the designated channel.
The circular provides for tier-wise certification, with each report required to carry a certificate of compliance before being forwarded to the next level.
For the existing collections, principals were directed to submit their audit reports, inventories, committee proceedings and certificates to the Director Colleges, Jammu and Kashmir, by July 26, 2026. The Director Colleges was required to complete the Directorate-level scrutiny and submit the consolidated report and certifications to the Higher Education Department by July 31, 2026.
The department has further ordered that the annual content audit be conducted every year from 2026 onwards.
The mechanism applies to government degree colleges, government colleges of engineering and technology, recognised private degree colleges and other institutions imparting higher education under the administrative, academic or regulatory jurisdiction of the Higher Education Department. Similar arrangements may also be put in place for public-funded libraries in Jammu and Kashmir.
The circular states that any delay, omission, suppression of material facts, procedural irregularity, negligence or failure to comply may invite administrative, disciplinary or other action under the applicable rules.
The directions were issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma.
