Central University of Kashmir

Overview

The Central University of Kashmir (CUK) is a prominent Higher Education Institution located in Ganderbal in the Kashmir Valley. The University has four campuses (Main, Green, Science, and Arts) in and around the city, with Tulmulla being the main location. Academic and research activities at CU Kashmir are organized into 9 Schools and 21 Departments, with the Research and Development Cell acting as an apex body to ensure innovative output. The Main campus is spread over more than 500 acres, and is located in a green area of the city, with constant civil work to enhance the facilities and infrastructure available.

The Central Placement Cell of CU Kashmir works with prominent companies to provide live projects, internships, and job opportunities to UG, PG, and Diploma students. It also works with students from their date of entry to the University to enhance their employability through functional and soft skills training programs. The median CTC offered to students who are successfully placed is approximately INR 3.6 LPA for most programs; most UG and PG courses have a placement rate above 50%.

Sports is an integral part of student life at the Central University of Kashmir, with the Department of Physical Education providing formal training and interfacing with the sports authorities of the University to ensure that there are highly trained teams to represent CUK. All four campuses are eco-friendly and have access to sports grounds and indoor cultural centers, with multiple events organized throughout the semester to cater to a wide range of extracurricular interests.

Highlights

Fees

The academic fees for students of the Central University of Kashmir have multiple components e.g. tuition fees, examination charges, registration fees, and caution deposits. The fee structure for different types of programs is as follows:

• Tuition fee: Ranges from INR 16,000 per year to INR 1.6 LPA:
  • MA programs (languages; social sciences): INR 16,000 per year (INR 8,000 per semester).
  • Most 2 year MSc programs (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology), Master of Tourism and Travel Management: INR 24,000 per year.
  • MBA, LLM: INR 40,000 per year.
  • BVoc: INR 48,000 per year.
  • 5 year PG programs (e.g. in Zoology and Mathematics), BEd + MEd: INR 60,000 per year.
  • MTech: INR 80,000 per year.
  • BTech: INR 1.6 LPA.
• Other fees: These encompass development, examination, registration, and placement fees. They range from INR 17,000 per year (for MA programs) to INR 1 LPA (BTech). Therefore, the total academic fees range from INR 33,000 per year to INR 2.6 LPA, depending on the type of program.

In addition, students who choose to stay at one of the four CU Kashmir campuses must budget for living costs, including hostel fees and mess charges. Students who stay off campus and commute to CU Kashmir every day must budget for transportation costs.

Admissions

The eligibility criteria for admission to the Central University of Kashmir are as follows:

• UG programs:
  • Students must have a pass certificate issued by a recognized Board of Higher Secondary Education for the Standard XII examination. Students who are appearing for the Board Examination in the same year as that of their application to the Central University of Kashmir can also apply.
  • Most UG programs have a cut-off based on the 10+2 aggregate of 50% for General category applicants, or 45% for reserved category students.
  • Applicants must have a valid CUET UG exam score.
• PG programs:
  • Students must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. The full list of qualifying disciplines for each program is given in the Central University of Kashmir prospectus. Some programs (e.g. MBA) admit students with any UG subject combination.
  • Different programs have varying UG aggregate cut-offs, which is 50% for General category students for most PG courses. However, some programs (e.g. MTech in Computer Science) require a UG aggregate of 55%. There is a relaxation of 5% for reserved category candidates.
  • Students must submit valid CUET PG test scores for most programs; however, MBA aspirants can submit CMAT scores.

Students who wish to apply to the Central University of Kashmir must follow these steps:

• Visiting the Samarth webpage for CU Kashmir and navigating to the CUET UG or CUET PG portal, before registering for the relevant examination, being careful to choose only the subjects that correspond to the course(s) in which the student is interested.
• Checking the eligibility criteria laid down by the Central University of Kashmir for the relevant program(s).
• Accessing the online form for application to the Central University of Kashmir after paying the application fee.
• Filling up the application form and attaching self-attested scanned copies of:
  • A recent passport size photograph with a white background.
  • The candidate's signature.
  • High School and/or Undergraduate University Leaving Certificate.
  • Associated marksheets and academic transcripts.
  • Caste and physical disability certificates, if applicable.
• After the application window closes, the Central University of Kashmir releases the shortlist of selected candidates and begins the academic registration procedure.

Placements

As one of the top Universities in India, the placement highlights of the Central University of Kashmir are as follows:

• The median CTC offered to graduating students of CU Kashmir has improved slightly over a three year period. The figures are:
  • UG 3 year programs: INR 3 LPA (up by 150% from INR 1.2 LPA two years earlier).
  • UG 4 year programs: INR 3 LPA (up by 67% from INR 1.8 LPA the previous year).
  • UG 5 year programs: INR 3.6 LPA (up by 20% from INR 3 LPA two years previously).
  • PG 1 year program: INR 3.6 LPA (up by 50% from INR 2.4 LPA two years earlier).
  • PG 2 year programs: INR 4.2 LPA (up from 17% from INR 3.6 LPA two years previously).
  • PG 3 year programs: INR 3.6 LPA.
  • Integrated PG programs: INR 4 LPA (more than double the figure two years earlier - INR 1.8 LPA).
• The ratio of graduating students of CU Kashmir receiving at least one job offer during the final placement season to the total number of graduating students varies by program type:
  • UG 3 year programs: 13 students successfully placed out of 23 registered with the placement cell (57%).
  • UG 4 year programs: 14 out of 39 (36%).
  • UG 5 year programs: 25 out of 45 (55%).
  • PG 2 year programs: 10 out of 16 (63%).
  • PG 1 year program: 171 out of 642 (27%).
  • PG 3 year programs: 13 out of 47 (28%).
  • Integrated PG programs: 39 out of 147 (27%).
• The 21 Departments within the 9 Schools of CU Kashmir have their own Placement Cells; it is a decentralized structure. The presence is usually on LinkedIn to allow efficient interactions with corporates and scheduling placement drives online. There is also a Central Placement Cell to coordinate the activities of the various Department Cells.

Cut-Offs

No CUET UG or CUET PG cut-offs are announced by the Central University of Kashmir before the application window closes; program-wise cut-offs are determined after the seat allocation process is completed. Each program has an associated cut-off based on the 10+2 Board Examination or UG semester aggregate; this is 50% for most courses, with a relaxation of 5% for reserved category applicants. Some PG programs e.g. MTech in Computer Science have cut-offs of 55% for general category candidates.

Faculty & Alumni

The Central University of Kashmir is home to 164 full time Faculty members. Of these, 128 (78%) are Assistant Professors, 5 (3%) are Associate Professors, and the remaining 31 (19%) are full Professors. Most Faculty members (128 out of 164, or 78%) hold PhD degrees; the others are also well qualified with professional PG degrees (e.g. LLM, MTech, and MBA). Only about half the Faculty members are regular employees of the University; the remaining are employed on an adhoc or contract basis. This is a consequence of the relatively remote location.

Graduating students of the Central University of Kashmir have come together to form an online Alumni Association page. Even though the University is relatively young, with only ten batches having graduated since its inception, more than 1,600 students have signed up for the online association page, which facilitates professional networking among alumni from different batches and fields of work. As the University grows, it will rely on alumni for improved placements and internship opportunities, as well as being a source of additional funding for CUK infrastructure and financial assistance for needy students.

Scholarships

As in other top Universities in India, the Central University of Kashmir encourages its students to apply to internal and external scholarships to fund their study. As of 2024, 66 out of 2,769 students (2%) receive full tuition fee waivers from the Central and State Governments, 320 students (12%) receive full scholarships via University funds, and none currently receive full tuition fee scholarships from private bodies and Trusts. 

1. Student Aid Fund: All students of CU Kashmir pay a portion of their semester fees to the Students’ Welfare Fund. This is used to establish a corpus that provides variable financial aid to needy students who request a partial or complete tuition fee waiver. The number of such scholarships is limited and depends on the availability of funds.

2. Earn While You Learn scheme: This is open to students of all streams and from all categories. Selected applicants will be allowed to work up to ten hours a week on various tasks provided by the University. 40% of the work hours are organized under the Government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, with the remaining hours coming under the Uchtar Shiksha Abhiyan. In addition to serving as a scholarship, this scheme also strengthens the work experience CV of students who are selected.

3. Scholarships for Exchange Programs abroad: There are 21 scholarship schemes that help students of CU Kashmir fund one or more semesters’ study abroad, mostly in European countries. For example, the Humboldt Research Scholarships help students study temporarily in Germany, and the New Zealand Government Scholarships are available both for exchange programs and for UG students of CUK who wish to pursue their higher studies in that country. The application process is usually directly to the host University or country, and the CU Kashmir authorities are only involved at the No Objection Certificate (NOC) stage.

4. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) schemes: These are the same as those available to students of other Central Universities, and range from Research Fellowships (offered by UGC) to Post Matric Scholarships (that provide full tuition fee waivers and monthly stipends to students from underprivileged communities who have additional financial hardships) and scholarships for single girl children, wards of defense personnel, and students admitted under the sports quota based on regional or national achievements. The deadlines and application modes (both online and offline) are detailed on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Students can typically not avail of more than one scholarship (either State or Central) at the same time.

5. SBIF Asha Scholarship Program: This is a merit-cum-means scholarship awarded to both UG and PG students enrolled in the top 100 Universities in each category in the latest NIRF rankings (for example, CU Kashmir). Students must satisfy both family income and minimum academic performance (in the qualifying examination) criteria; in the case of more applicants than there are scholarship spots, the candidates will be ranked in order of percentage.

There are also several private organizations and trusts which offer scholarships to UG and PG students of the Central University of Kashmir. Like the other scholarships, students must apply after they accept the offer of admission to CUK, and the amount awarded does not usually cover the full tuition fee cost.

Preparation & FAQs

The Central University of Kashmir requires all its applicants to submit CUET UG or CUET PG test scores. Therefore, applicants must attend classes (either online or offline) for their chosen subjects, and refer to previous years' examination papers to ensure that the syllabus is fully covered by their preparation. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Which is the top University in India?

The Central University of Kashmir is one of the best Universities in India. It is ranked #33 among the best Central Universities in India, according to the IIRF 2024 ranking list.

Q. What are the application fees to the Central University of Kashmir?

The application fees to the Central University of Kashmir vary according to the level of the program to which the student is applying (undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD). UG aspirants pay INR 1,000 to appear for up to three CUET UG papers. The CUET PG application fee is INR 1,200 for general category students.

Q. What are the expected dates of the Central University of Kashmir recruitment 2025?

The expected dates, mode of application, and submission deadlines for all part time and full time roles offered by the Central University of Kashmir in 2025 can be found on its website. The University also maintains a page on the Samarth portal with a list of all active job openings.

Q. What are the MBA specializations offered by the Central University of Kashmir?

The Central University of Kashmir offers two main MBA programs: General Management and Tourism & Travel Management.

Q. Which entrance test scores are accepted by the MBA program at the Central University of Kashmir?

CU Kashmir accepts Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) scores.

Q. What is the expected date of CMAT 2025?

CMAT 2025 will be conducted by the National Testing Agency in 100+ Indian cities in April and May 2025.

Q. What are the expected dates of CUET PG 2025?

CUET PG 2025 is expected to be held over several dates in March 2025, as a computer based test. These scores will be used as the basis for admission to most PG programs offered by the Central University of Kashmir.