The growing disinterest among students in seeking admission to government and private engineering colleges in Jammu and Kashmir is a worrying trend. It demands immediate introspection and action from both the state and central governments. The consistent decline in admissions to these institutions over the past few years highlights a deeper crisis—one rooted in the deteriorating quality of education and poor institutional reputation. It is no secret that many engineering colleges in the region have struggled with a high number of vacant seats for the last two to three years. While earlier, students would line up for admission, the current scenario reflects a sharp drop in trust. This shift stems largely from the failure to improve the quality of education in these colleges. In an era where students are better informed and more conscious of career prospects, they tend to evaluate colleges based on rankings, placements, and the overall learning environment. Unfortunately, most engineering colleges in J&K fare poorly on these fronts. The rankings of these institutions are often abysmally low, and campus placements are either minimal or non-existent. As a result, students prefer securing admission in reputed colleges outside the state, despite the financial and logistical challenges involved. In fact, the number of students from J&K obtaining scholarships and opting for top-ranked national institutions in other states is increasing, further underlining the eroding credibility of local engineering colleges. The government must urgently reflect on this decline and initiate measures to revive the engineering education ecosystem in the Union Territory. Upgrading faculty quality, investing in infrastructure, ensuring industry partnerships for placements, and improving institutional governance should be prioritized. Transparent audits and a push for accreditation by national agencies could help restore some faith among prospective students. Furthermore, scholarships must be expanded not just to aid students studying outside the region but also to attract meritorious candidates to state-run institutions. Encouraging public-private partnerships and fostering innovation-driven campuses can also help in transforming the higher education landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. Students are the future of any region, and their disillusionment with local institutions is a clear indicator that something is deeply amiss. If not addressed now, the consequences could be long-term, both in terms of talent flight and regional development. It is time the government begins a serious dialogue and takes concrete steps to rebuild the academic confidence of its youth.
