| More than 2,000 Kashmiri students stranded in Iran | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 16: Even as the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday nominated a senior officer to coordinate with central agencies, over 2,000 students from the Union Territory—mostly from the Kashmir Valley—are currently studying in Iran amid growing concerns over the security situation there.
According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), around 2,050 Indian students are pursuing medical education in Iran, with a significant proportion hailing from Kashmir. Kashmiri students have traditionally opted for Iranian universities, particularly institutions such as Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Shahid Beheshti University, which are known to offer comparatively affordable courses and reserved seats under special quotas, commonly referred to as the “pargees quota.”
Officials said that many students from the Valley travel to Iran primarily to pursue courses in medicine and engineering. Kashmir also shares long-standing cultural and religious ties with Iran, and the country remains a popular destination among Indian Shia community members for both education and pilgrimage.
Officials and education experts attribute this trend to multiple factors, including comparatively low tuition fees, easier admission procedures, and the availability of reserved seats for Kashmiri students under special quotas, commonly known as the “pargees quota.” For many middle-class families, these institutions offer a more affordable alternative to costly private medical colleges in India and to countries in Europe or Central Asia.
Apart from economic considerations, Kashmir’s long-standing cultural and religious links with Iran also play a significant role in shaping students’ choices. Iran is not only a centre of Shia religious learning but also a popular destination for pilgrimage and tourism among Indian Shias, further strengthening social and emotional connections with the country. Many families, therefore, view Iran as a familiar and relatively comfortable environment for their children, particularly daughters pursuing medical studies.
However, the current geopolitical and internal political situation in Iran has once again raised serious questions about the safety and long-term academic prospects of foreign students. Frequent protests, strict social regulations, and periodic internet shutdowns have affected daily life, while regional tensions have further complicated the security landscape.
Parents in Kashmir have expressed deep anxiety over the well-being of their children, with several families appealing to both the Union and UT governments to ensure constant communication and emergency evacuation plans, if the situation worsens.
Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing situation in Iran, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has nominated a nodal officer to coordinate with concerned authorities for the welfare and safety of residents and students from the Union Territory.
According to an official order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Anil Sharma, JKAS, Additional Resident Commissioner of the J&K Government in New Delhi, has been designated as the nodal officer for coordination and liaison in respect of J&K residents and students in Iran.
As per Government Order No. 67-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated January 15, the officer will coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, concerned embassy and consular authorities, and other relevant agencies as required.
He has been tasked with facilitating information sharing, coordination, and necessary interventions related to safety, welfare, travel facilitation, and other matters concerning residents and students of Jammu and Kashmir currently in Iran.
The order has been circulated to all concerned departments for immediate compliance. |
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