Autumn Session Report | 20 August – 15 September 2026

By JK Centre for Peace and Justice Foundation (JKCPJ)

1. Overview

The MLA Fellowship is a flagship policy and legislative research initiative of the JK Centre for Peace and Justice Foundation (JKCPJ), established to strengthen democratic governance in Jammu & Kashmir by fostering meaningful engagement between young researchers and elected representatives. The Fellowship seeks to bridge the gap between evidence-based policymaking and legislative practice by providing lawmakers with structured research support while creating experiential learning opportunities for emerging policy professionals. During the Autumn Session, held from 20 August to 15 September 2026, the Fellowship extended its legislative research and policy support to six Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) representing different constituencies across Jammu & Kashmir. The engagement focused on developing research-backed legislative interventions, preparing Assembly Questions, drafting Private Members’ Bills, and formulating Resolutions addressing public concerns and governance priorities. The programme aimed to strengthen legislative participation by equipping elected representatives with research support on matters relating to education, employment, reservation policy, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental concerns, and public welfare. The fellowship engaged 12 Fellows from different backgrounds. Through this engagement, the Fellowship sought to ensure that pressing public issues and policy challenges received structured attention within legislative processes. During the reporting period, the Fellowship supported the submission of 40 Assembly Questions, five Private Members’ Bills, and seven Resolutions. These outputs reflected a range of public-policy priorities, with particular emphasis on educational reform, employment opportunities, recruitment-related concerns, social equity, healthcare access, and infrastructure development. The Autumn Session engagement demonstrates the role that structured legislative research can play in connecting public concerns with formal democratic institutions. By supporting elected representatives with research and drafting assistance, the Fellowship continued its efforts to promote informed legislative deliberations and more responsive governance in Jammu & Kashmir.

2. Legislative Coverage

During the Autumn Session, the MLA Fellowship extended research and legislative drafting support to the following six Assembly constituencies: S. No. Assembly Constituency Constituency No. Hon’ble MLA 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sopore Langate Budgam Kupwara Central Shalteng Lal Chowk 7 6 27 3 26 22 Irshad Rasool Kar Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi Mir Mohammad Fayaz Tariq Hamid Karra Ahsan Pardesi The engagement covered constituencies with diverse developmental and governance priorities. The legislative research undertaken during the period addressed issues relevant to students, job seekers, farmers, residents of remote and frontier areas, public-service users, and communities affected by environmental and infrastructure-related challenges.

3. Legislative Contributions and Outputs

The research and drafting support provided during the Autumn Session resulted in the following legislative submissions: ● 40 Assembly Questions ● 5 Private Members’ Bills ● 7 Resolutions These submissions addressed a broad range of public-policy concerns and reflected the Fellowship’s focus on strengthening evidence-based legislative engagement.

3.1 Assembly Questions

A total of 40 Assembly Questions were submitted during the reporting period. The questions formed an important component of the Fellowship’s legislative research support, enabling elected representatives to seek information, raise public concerns, and draw attention to governance and service-delivery issues. Assembly Questions serve as an institutional mechanism for obtaining information from the government, seeking clarification on policy implementation, and encouraging accountability across departments. Through research, issue identification, and drafting support, the Fellowship contributed to preparing questions intended to bring relevant public concerns into legislative deliberations. The questions submitted during the Autumn Session formed part of the programme’s broader engagement with governance priorities in Jammu & Kashmir. Their collective focus complemented the Fellowship’s work on legislative proposals addressing education, employment, reservation, healthcare, infrastructure, and public welfare.

3.2 Private Members’ Bills

During the Autumn Session, the Fellowship supported the submission of five Private Members’ Bills addressing key policy concerns. The proposed legislation focused on educational reform, examination integrity, horticultural risk protection, employment and skills development, mobility rights, and reservation policy.

1. Education and Examination (Reform and Integrity) Bill

The proposed Bill focused on strengthening the education and examination framework through reforms intended to promote integrity, fairness, transparency, and accountability in educational and examination processes. The proposal reflects the importance of credible examination systems and accessible, fair educational opportunities for students across Jammu & Kashmir.

2. Horticulture Insurance Bill

The proposed Bill addressed the need to strengthen insurance protection for the horticulture sector, which plays an important role in the livelihoods of farming households in Jammu & Kashmir. The proposal highlights the importance of risk mitigation and financial protection for horticulturists facing agricultural uncertainties and potential losses.

3. Employment and Skills Guarantee Bill

The proposed Bill focused on employment opportunities and skills development, with an emphasis on strengthening the relationship between skill-building initiatives and access to employment. The proposal reflects the need for policy interventions that support young people in acquiring relevant skills and improving their prospects for sustainable livelihoods.

4. Right to Free Mobility Bill

The proposed Bill addressed mobility as a public-policy concern, seeking to bring attention to the importance of accessible movement and the associated implications for education, employment, public services, and everyday life. The specific legal provisions and scope of the proposed right would be determined by the text of the Bill.

5. Reservation Amendment Bill

The proposed Bill focused on amendments to reservation policy in Jammu & Kashmir. It brought attention to the importance of examining existing reservation provisions and their implications for equitable access to educational and employment opportunities. The proposal forms part of the Fellowship’s broader engagement with social equity, representation, and the policy framework governing access to opportunities. Collectively, the five Bills demonstrate the Fellowship’s engagement with legislative proposals extending beyond routine administrative concerns to broader questions of public policy, economic security, institutional integrity, and social justice.

3.3 Private Members’ Resolutions

The Fellowship supported the submission of seven Resolutions addressing employment, higher education, recruitment, healthcare, public infrastructure, and environmental governance.

1. Employment Reservation for the Domiciles of Jammu & Kashmir

The Resolution addressed employment reservation for domiciles of Jammu & Kashmir, highlighting the importance of examining recruitment policies and the access of local residents to employment opportunities. It brought the issue of employment security and equitable access to government jobs into the broader discussion on public policy and youth aspirations.

2. Practical and Industry-Oriented Internships under NEP 2020

The Resolution focused on promoting practical, industry-oriented internships under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It emphasized the importance of connecting academic learning with practical exposure, professional environments, and workplace skills. Such opportunities can help students bridge the gap between theoretical education and the demands of employment.

3. Guaranteed Placement and Employment Support for Graduates

The Resolution addressed the need for stronger placement mechanisms and employment support for graduates. It highlighted the importance of institutional assistance, career guidance, skills development, and structured pathways connecting graduates with employment opportunities. The proposal reflected concerns about the transition from higher education to the workforce.

4. Age Relaxation in JKCCE

The Resolution sought to address the issue of age relaxation in the Jammu & Kashmir Combined Competitive Examination (JKCCE). Recruitment eligibility and age limits are important concerns for aspirants preparing for competitive examinations. The proposal brought attention to the need to examine recruitment-related rules in the context of fairness, opportunity, and the aspirations of young people seeking entry into public service.

5. Healthcare and Infrastructure Reforms in Remote Frontier Areas of Kupwara and Kishtwar

The Resolution focused on healthcare access and infrastructure development in remote and frontier areas of Kupwara and Kishtwar. Geographical remoteness can create challenges in accessing healthcare, transportation, public services, and essential infrastructure. The proposal highlighted the importance of addressing regional disparities and strengthening service delivery in underserved areas.

6. Annual Infrastructure Audit of Government Schools in Jammu & Kashmir

The Resolution proposed annual infrastructure audits of government schools across Jammu & Kashmir. Regular infrastructure assessments can help identify gaps in school buildings, sanitation, drinking water, classroom facilities, accessibility, and other essential amenities. The proposal emphasized the importance of systematic monitoring and accountability in ensuring safe and functional learning environments.

7. Examination of Grievances of Inhabitants Affected by Hokersar Wetland

The Resolution sought examination of grievances raised by inhabitants affected by Hokersar Wetland. The proposal highlighted the importance of addressing community concerns associated with wetland management, environmental protection, and the effects of related administrative or conservation measures on local inhabitants. It underscored the need to examine grievances through appropriate institutional mechanisms while considering both environmental objectives and the concerns of affected communities. Together, the seven Resolutions reflected the Fellowship’s engagement with issues directly affecting citizens’ access to employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and responsive public administration.

4. Thematic Areas of Legislative Engagement

The legislative submissions made during the Autumn Session covered several interconnected areas of governance. Education and Examination Reform The Education and Examination (Reform and Integrity) Bill and the Resolution on annual infrastructure audits of government schools addressed the importance of educational quality, institutional accountability, examination integrity, and adequate learning facilities. The proposed interventions recognized that strengthening education requires attention to both academic systems and the infrastructure supporting students and teachers. Employment, Skills, and Youth Opportunities Employment and youth development emerged as major themes through the Employment and Skills Guarantee Bill and the Resolutions on domicile employment reservation, industry-oriented internships, guaranteed placement support, and age relaxation in JKCCE. These proposals reflected concerns about unemployment, the transition from education to work, access to public-sector recruitment, and the need for more effective pathways into employment. Agriculture and Economic Security The Horticulture Insurance Bill addressed economic risks faced by the horticulture sector and the importance of protection for agricultural livelihoods. The proposal highlighted the relevance of legislative interventions that respond to the economic vulnerabilities of communities dependent on agriculture and horticulture. Healthcare and Regional Equity The Resolution concerning healthcare and infrastructure reforms in remote frontier areas of Kupwara and Kishtwar focused on the importance of equitable.

5. Impact

The MLA Fellowship Programme demonstrates how meaningful youth participation can contribute to stronger democratic institutions and more responsive governance. By connecting young people directly with legislative processes, the programme cultivates informed, confident, and responsible citizens while simultaneously strengthening the research and policy support available to elected representatives. The programme illustrates that sustainable peace, democratic strengthening, and inclusive development in Jammu & Kashmir are closely linked to empowering young people and providing them with meaningful opportunities to engage with governance.

Through this approach, the Fellowship contributes to building a more participatory, research-driven, and accountable democratic