Srinagar, April 21 -- A year of reforms has pushed education in Jammu and Kashmir into the spotlight. Calls for a National Law University and the passage of the Private Universities Bill signal ambition and fresh energy. In the middle of this momentum, one decision has redirected undergraduate admissions. Authorities have rolled back CUET-based admissions for the 2026-27 session and returned to a 10+2 merit system.

This shift looks simple on paper, but it rests on a deeper structural reality. Jammu and Kashmir runs a dual academic system through JKBOSE, divided into summer and winter zones. Climate drives two separate school calendars. Students in the winter zone finish Class 12 exams by October or November and often receive results by J...