Are Government Degree Colleges in Jammu
Karman Singh, Parveen Singh
As college admissions unfold across Jammu for the academic year 2025-26, a quiet but growing concern is going unnoticed – male students who wish to pursue Commerce are being systematically squeezed out of government colleges. While the system prides itself on being inclusive and merit-based, a closer look at how Commerce admissions are structured in Jammu reveals a clear imbalance that puts boys at a significant disadvantage, not because they are underperforming, but because the system simply doesn’t offer them enough seats.
Jammu District has five major government colleges under the Cluster University: GGM Science College, MAM College, Govt. SPMR College of Commerce, Government College for Women, Parade Ground, and Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar. Among these, only Govt. SPMR College of Commerce is a Commerce co-educational institution offering B.Com, BBA, and BCA programs. The other two prominent Commerce colleges – Parade and Gandhi Nagar – are exclusively for girls. Boys are therefore left with only one major government option: Govt. SPMR College of Commerce. While Government Degree College (GDC) Kunjwani also offers Commerce, it has only 50-80 seats, which are quickly filled and lack the capacity to meet the growing demand.
Now consider this: Parade College offers 400 seats for B.Com, and Gandhi Nagar College offers another 200 seats, both exclusively for girls. On top of that, girls can also apply to Govt. SPMR College of Commerce, which has an estimated 900 seats shared between both genders. This means girls effectively have access to over 1,500 government Commerce seats, across three colleges. Boys, on the other hand, are left competing for a small fraction of these seats – primarily at SPMR, and marginally at GDC Kunjwani.
The situation becomes worse when we consider the merit-based admission process, now largely conducted through CUET and JKCSAS. Girls have consistently outperformed boys in both board exams and CUET scores. As a result, they easily fill up the seats at Parade and Gandhi Nagar – and then also occupy a major share of seats in the co-ed SPMR College. Boys, despite having good scores, are often left without a seat, because they simply don’t have access to the same number of institutions. What we are witnessing is not a deliberate exclusion – but a structural one, deeply embedded in how our system is set up.
Imagine being a boy who dreams of a career in finance, accountancy, or management – scoring 70-75% – and still being denied a government college seat simply because you don’t have enough colleges to apply to. Meanwhile, girls with similar or slightly higher marks have three options, while boys essentially have one, plus a small college with very limited capacity. This is not equity; it’s an overlooked form of systemic imbalance.
And the issue is not just about numbers. Govt. SPMR College of Commerce is one of the most respected Commerce colleges in the region. It’s centrally located, has experienced faculty, and a strong academic reputation. It becomes the default – and only – real option for boys in the public system. But when girls dominate the general merit lists due to higher marks, boys are pushed further out, despite not having alternative public colleges for Commerce. This is the crux of the crisis – a lack of proportional access.
Strangely, two of Jammu’s top co-ed colleges – GGM Science College and MAM College – do not offer Commerce programs at all. These institutions are well-equipped, centrally located, and have the infrastructure and faculty to start B.Com or BBA programs immediately. Introducing Commerce in these colleges could dramatically change the landscape, giving boys more opportunities without requiring major infrastructure investments. Yet year after year, no steps have been taken in this direction.
The consequences of this imbalance are real. Boys who don’t secure admission are either forced to switch to streams they never intended to pursue, like Arts or Science, or enroll in private colleges, which often charge higher fees and lack the credibility of government institutions. For many families, especially from middle or lower-income backgrounds, this is simply not feasible. Students are left disillusioned – not because of their performance, but because of limited access.
It’s important to be clear: this is not about denying girls their achievements. The rise in female academic excellence is one of the most encouraging trends in Indian education, and we must continue to support and celebrate that. But at the same time, true gender equity means giving everyone a fair and equal shot. Right now, the system in Jammu gives female Commerce aspirants a clear edge – not just in terms of marks, but in sheer number of seats and institutions available to them.
So what can be done?
First, there must be a serious push to introduce Commerce streams in GGM Science College and MAM College. Even if each college starts with an intake of 100-150 students, that’s 200-300 additional seats right away – which could relieve the overwhelming pressure on Govt. SPMR College of Commerce and provide boys with alternatives.
Second, the authorities must consider making Parade and Gandhi Nagar colleges co-educational – at least for Commerce courses. These colleges already have the faculty and infrastructure; by opening their doors to boys in selected streams, we can correct an institutional gap without needing to build new colleges.
Third, as a temporary solution, Govt. SPMR College of Commerce could adopt a 50:50 or 60:40 gender ratio in admissions, at least until more seats are created elsewhere. This would prevent boys – who already have fewer options – from being entirely displaced in the merit list by students who also have access to two other colleges.
Fourth, GDC Kunjwani must be strengthened. Its intake capacity can be increased, faculty enhanced, and reputation improved through government support and awareness campaigns. Over time, it can become a second viable government Commerce option for boys and girls alike.
These are not radical suggestions – they are reasonable, practical, and achievable with political will and administrative intent. They do not infringe on anyone’s rights; rather, they seek to uphold the right to equal access for all. This isn’t about boys versus girls – it’s about making sure our public education system doesn’t unintentionally create bottlenecks that harm one section of students.
At a time when India is promoting entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital commerce, Commerce education should be widely available and equally accessible. Students shouldn’t have to fight over a limited number of seats, or worse, give up on their dreams because they weren’t born on the right side of a flawed admissions structure.
It’s time for the Cluster University of Jammu, the Higher Education Department, and local college authorities to recognize this imbalance and take immediate corrective steps. If we believe in fairness, opportunity, and academic freedom, then we must act – not just for today’s students, but for the credibility and integrity of our public education system.
Equal opportunity doesn’t just mean celebrating high scorers. It means ensuring that every student – boy or girl – has the chance to pursue their passion in a government college, without institutional bias. And when it comes to Commerce in Jammu, we have a long way to go to make that vision real.
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