The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher education institutions (HEIs) across the nation to extend the concession given to wards of Kashmiri migrants for admission well into the next academic year.

In his letter to Vice Chancellors of universities across the nation, UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain cited the decision of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to extend the concessions to Kashmiri migrant students applicable to the academic session 2016-17 and onwards, until further notice.

The concession includes relaxation in cut off percentage up to 10% and subject to minimum eligibility requirement. Apart from this, an increase in intake capacity up to 5% course-wise was also given. They were also given a reservation of at least one seat in the merit quota in technical or professional institutions.

The UGC Secretary has requested Vice Chancellors to take appropriate action to ensure compliance of extending this concession. This was to be brought to the notice of the colleges affiliated to the university for compliance too, he added.