Concepts, models of existing varsities in country being studied
*Discussions going on to meet other pre-requisites
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 24: The Government has set into motion a formal exercise for the establishment of a National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir with the objective of strengthening legal education and research in the Union Territory. At present, the Law Department and Higher Education Department are studying the concepts and models of existing National Law Universities across the country to finalize the institutional framework.
While presenting Budget for the Financial Year 2025-25 in the Legislative Assembly on March 7, 2025, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced: “The Government is committed to establishing a National Law University in Jammu & Kashmir to drive legal education reforms and research. With world-class training aligned to contemporary standards, the university will empower future legal professionals and enhance justice delivery. I propose a provision of Rs 50 crore in the budget for this transformative initiative”.
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Following the announcement, the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs placed a formal proposal before the Chief Minister, who directed to study the concepts and models of existing National Law Universities in the country particularly those established in the recent years. He also instructed that bare minimum infrastructure and manpower requirements be worked out in consultation with the Higher Education Department of the Union Territory, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
“The necessary information has been obtained from various National Law Universities particularly Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. At present, the information is being studied by the Law Department”, sources said, adding “additionally, discussions are underway between the Department of Law and Higher Education Department to meet other pre-requisites”.
“Even the bare minimum requirements of infrastructure and manpower are being worked out so that a comprehensive proposal can be placed before the Chief Minister at the earliest”, they further said while disclosing that Government will make an endeavour to make the university functional from the next academic session albeit from the rented accommodation as creation of permanent infrastructure will take time.
Regarding other pre-requisites, sources said that Government will need to obtain necessary accreditations and affiliations before formally establishing the university. Approval from the Bar Council of India is required for offering professional Law Degrees while recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) is required for academic validity and eligibility for grants.
“The Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Higher Education Department have been instructed by the Chief Minister to work out the modus operandi for each and every aspect in a mission mode so that Budget announcement is translated into reality within the shortest possible time-frame”, sources said, adding “it would be only after the completion of all this exercise, the location of the university will be finalized by the Government”.
The proposed National Law University is envisioned to strengthen legal education and promote advanced research in the field of law, contributing to the development of a robust justice delivery system in Jammu and Kashmir.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University Bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly in the year 2018. However, the then Governor raised certain clarifications over the legislative proposal as a result of which no further progress could be made.
However, the bill was given approval by last Governor of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir in October 2019-before formal implementation of J&K Reorganization Act, 2019.
Following bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs formally adapted the J&K National Law University Act but only in the context of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and even amended certain provisions thus bringing the legislation at par with the regulations for such institutions in other parts of the country.
In the un-amended Act, Chief Minister was mentioned as Chancellor of the Law University despite the fact that in other parts of the country Chief Justice of the concerned State holds this position. Through gazette notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs substituted the term “Chief Minister” by “the Chief Justice” in Section 8 of the Act while as the term of “Chief Justice was substituted by “the Chancellor” in Section 12, Sub-Section (1), Clause (d).
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