Srinagar, October 29, 2025 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday announced that the National Law University (NLU) will start functioning in the Kashmir Valley from April next year, marking a significant step in strengthening higher education and legal studies in the Union Territory.
The announcement came as the Chief Minister responded to a private member’s resolution moved by Congress MLA from Bandipora, Nizam-Ud-Din Bhat, urging the government to expedite the process of setting up the NLU in Srinagar.
“This House unanimously resolves to impress upon the Government to initiate the process of establishing the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University at Srinagar without any further delay, as the funds earmarked for the first phase have already been provided,” the resolution stated.
The Assembly passed the resolution by voice vote after Abdullah said his government had “no objections” to the proposal.
“We are already working on expanding the education infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. The establishment of the NLU is part of that effort,” the Chief Minister said.
Abdullah informed the House that the university would initially function from a rented accommodation in Ompora, Budgam, where a software technology park project had been shelved after objections from the Indian Air Force over antenna interference.
“That campus is vacant. If everything goes well, by April next fiscal, we should be able to start classes in rented accommodation. If a better location is not found immediately, we will begin the NLU there,” Abdullah added.
The Chief Minister said the permanent location for the university would be finalised in consultation with the Chief Justice of the J&K and Ladakh High Court and the Chief Secretary.
He emphasized that once functional, the NLU would benefit hundreds of local students who currently travel outside the Union Territory for pursuing legal education.
Addressing questions about the slow progress of the project, Abdullah clarified that the work had been ongoing continuously within the civil secretariat.
“The truth is that the work never stopped. If we start giving updates daily, people will get tired of the details,” he said with a smile.
The establishment of the National Law University in Kashmir is seen as a major milestone toward educational empowerment and institutional parity in J&K.
