Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Department of Science and Technology reviewed 525 research proposals during a two-day meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKST&IC) held at the SKICC Srinagar on October 14 and 15, 2025. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Science & Technology Department, focused on evaluating and finalising research projects under the Sponsored Research and Extension Programme (SREP).
The SREP, a flagship initiative of the department, aims to promote indigenous research and support scientists in developing solutions to region-specific socio-economic and environmental challenges. Of the 525 proposals received, 306 were from Kashmir and 219 from Jammu, covering 20 thematic areas including climate change, glacier studies, water and energy security, food sufficiency, environmental protection, public health, and disaster management.
The Committee comprised leading scientists and academicians, including Dr. Anish Yadav (SKUAST-Jammu), Dr. Parvinder Pal Singh (CSIR-IIIM Jammu), Dr. Mudasir Andrabi (SKUAST-Kashmir), Dr. Aabid Hussain Shalla (IUST-Kashmir), Dr. Meena Sharma (University of Jammu), Dr. Kumud Ranjan Jha (SMVDU), Dr. Ambika Prasad (IIT Jammu), and Dr. Anil Bhat (SKUAST-Jammu). Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Additional Director, JKST&IC, served as Member Secretary of the Committee.
In his remarks, Dr. Shahid Choudhary underscored that novelty, methodology, and societal impact should remain central to project evaluations. He reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s research and innovation ecosystem, stating that the R&D funding policy is designed to “support promising ideas and transform them into scalable, sustainable solutions.”
Dr. Choudhary directed the Council to create an online portal for transparent submission, evaluation, and tracking of proposals, and urged universities and research institutions to conduct internal screening before forwarding projects.
The TAC concluded its deliberations by finalising select high-impact projects for submission to the Government. These projects are expected to play a pivotal role in advancing scientific innovation, policy development, and sustainable growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
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