Our Future at Stake’ Nursing Students in Kashmir Protest Derecognition of Courses
Tension gripped Darind Nagabal on Monday as scores of students from the Royal Institute of Paramedical Sciences (RIPS) blocked the main road to protest against the Indian Nursing Council’s (INC) order restricting the recognition of their nursing degrees. The private institute, located in Nagbal, has been running paramedical and nursing programmes for nearly eight years and currently offers General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) and B.Sc Nursing courses.
According to a notification issued by the INC on March 25, 2025, exercising powers under Section 14 of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947, the Council has declared that with effect from October 26, 2024, qualifications in GNM and B.Sc Nursing from the Royal Institute will be eligible for registration only within the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The decision follows an earlier notice dated May 9, 2024 seeking a recommendation from the J&K government on the suitability of the institution and citing serious deficiencies in teaching and clinical facilities as observed in an inspection conducted in November 2023.
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Carrying placards and shouting slogans, students alleged that despite sending over 15 emails to the INC seeking clarification and registration, they have received no response. “Our parents struggled to pay our fees. Tomorrow we complete our degrees but they will not be valid nationally. We will be barred from competitive exams,” said one protesting student. Many worried about their future prospects as the nursing batch, which began three years ago, is due to graduate this year.
The administration has also faced criticism for its silence. District authorities have yet to issue an official statement, and students say they feel “caught between” the state government and the national regulator. Speaking to reporters, Institute Incharge Dr. Ishaq said the management “stands with the students” and will address the derecognition “in the shortest possible time.” He appealed for support from parents and officials to resolve the grievances.
