Srinagar, Dec 20 (KNO): Hundreds of Horticulture Diploma holders from Jammu and Kashmir Saturday sought urgent intervention of the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the government after SKUAST-Jammu refused to recognize their diploma awarded through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
The aggrieved candidates alleged that SKUAST-J has declared their ‘Diploma in Horticulture’ awarded by IGNOU as invalid contrary to the clear directions and clarifications issued by University Grants Commission (UGC) authorities.
The diploma holders said, “UGC in November-2025, has categorically clarified that the Diploma in Horticulture offered by IGNOU is exempted under the UGC’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Regulations, 2020, and is a valid and recognized qualification.”
“Despite unambiguous clarifications from UGC and IGNOU, SKUAST-Jammu continues to deny recognition. This decision is arbitrary, illegal and in clear violation of statutory regulations,” said one of the candidates.
The students according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) expressed deep concern over the impact of the decision of SKUAST-J on their professional future.
They said that various departments in Jammu and Kashmir are advertising posts and admissions where a Diploma in Horticulture is an essential qualification. “Yet IGNOU diploma holders are being excluded.”
“This decision has shattered the career prospects of hundreds of candidates and even in-service employees,” another diploma holder said.
“Many of us are being denied promotions, recruitment opportunities and chances for higher education only because SKUAST-J refuses to acknowledge a nationally recognized diploma,” he said.
“We request the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Agriculture Production to intervene and resolve this matter," the students said.
“Their timely intervention can restore justice and protect the legitimate rights of diploma holders,” they said—(KNO)