Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
A growing number of undergraduate aspirants across Kashmir have expressed concern over missing college admission deadlines after the online application period coincided with the Eid-ul-Adha holidays, prompting appeals to educational authorities for additional time to complete the process.
The issue has emerged as several colleges and higher education institutions fixed their final application submission dates between May 27 and May 30, a period that overlapped with peak Eid celebrations across the Valley. Students say the timing made it difficult for many candidates to focus on admission-related formalities while attending religious observances and family commitments associated with one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.
The challenge was particularly acute for students in rural and remote areas, where access to digital facilities remains limited. According to students and education sector officials, many internet cafes, computer centres and other digital access points remained closed during the holiday period, leaving applicants with few options to complete mandatory online registration and form submission requirements.
Concerned over the situation, several aspirants have approached college and university authorities, urging them to reconsider the admission schedule and provide an extension to ensure that eligible candidates are not denied higher education opportunities due to circumstances beyond their control.
In a formal representation submitted to admission authorities, one applicant highlighted what was described as an “urgent need” for extending the deadline.
“A large number of deserving students are facing the risk of missing out on their higher education opportunities through no fault of their own,” the representation stated.
The appeal called on institutions to extend the application deadline by at least one week, arguing that such a move would help ensure a more equitable and inclusive admission process for students across the region.
Education observers note that online admissions have streamlined the application process in recent years, but challenges related to digital access continue to affect students, particularly during extended holidays and in areas with limited internet infrastructure. For many families, internet cafes and private computer centres remain the primary means of accessing online services, making closures during festive periods a significant obstacle.
Responding to the concerns, Director of Colleges, Jammu and Kashmir, Prof. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, said that admission deadlines had already been extended earlier and that a further extension was not feasible at this stage.
However, he indicated that students who missed the initial admission rounds may still have an opportunity to secure a seat through the spot admission process.
According to Prof. Bashir, spot rounds are typically conducted after the completion of regular admission rounds and are designed to fill vacant seats that remain available in colleges. The mechanism allows candidates who either missed the application deadline or were not allotted seats in earlier rounds to participate in the admission process, subject to seat availability.
While the assurance has offered some relief to affected students, many aspirants continue to hope for additional measures that would accommodate those who were unable to complete their applications during the Eid period.
With admissions season underway and competition for seats remaining high, students and parents alike are closely watching for any further announcements from higher education authorities regarding admission schedules and seat allocation procedures.
For now, officials have ruled out another extension, placing increased importance on the upcoming spot admission rounds as a potential lifeline for candidates who may have missed the original application window.
