Kulgam, Feb 21: The issue of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) exam coinciding with the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) on February 23 has come to the government’s notice and is currently under review, with possible solutions being explored, said Education Minister, Sakina Masood Itoo.
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) is scheduled to conduct the CCE 2025 prelims on February 23, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct AFCAT-1 2025 on February 22 and 23.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam after a review meeting of the district on Friday, the minister said that in the ongoing board exams for Classes 10th, 11th, and 12th, some students were left behind due to mistakes made either by a principal or a clerk, causing issues with their names. “I believe the students have worked hard throughout the year, and immediate steps were taken. I directed board officials to allow the students to appear for the examination so that their year-long study does not go in vain.”
Responding to a question about the demand to reschedule the JKAS and AFCAT exams due to their clash on the same day, she said that the issue has come to her notice. “We will examine it, explore possible solutions, and ensure it is looked into,” she added.
The minister further said that the administration, led by the Deputy Commissioner in Kulgam, is performing well and working efficiently. She added that, as per the review taken by the Chief Minister last time, the focus was on completing projects that are of immediate need. She conducted a similar review meeting in Kulgam to assess areas that require improvement.
“Kashmir has many beautiful areas that can be developed and promoted, and Aharbal is one of them, known for its stunning waterfall. We have several well-known tourist destinations, and when I was the Tourism Minister in 1996, a few huts were built during my father’s tenure, while some were constructed during our tenure and even before that. Now, we aim to further promote Aharbal and attract more tourists,” she said.
“Similarly, other destinations like Panchanpathri, Kongwattan, and Gurwattan require better connectivity. Road projects are being undertaken to ensure better access for tourists,” she added.
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, along with all district officers and officials from other line departments.