Kargil: In a major move to standardize access to subsidized accommodation for students outside the district, the LAHDC Kargil administration on Sunday conducted its first written entrance examination for admission to the Kargil Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels in Srinagar and Jammu. A total of 415 candidates appeared across four centres—one each in Kargil and Srinagar and two in Jammu—under tight supervision.
The test marks the rollout of newly framed Hostel Admission Guidelines aimed at creating a transparent and uniform selection process for students pursuing higher studies and competitive examinations. Officials said that all hostel allotments will now hinge exclusively on performance in this written examination, replacing earlier discretionary procedures.
As per the guidelines, the reservation framework earmarks 80% of seats for the General Category, limited to families with an annual income of up to ₹3 lakh. Another 10% is reserved for Below Poverty Line (BPL) students with income below ₹1 lakh, 5% for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, and 5% for orphans or students from single-parent households.
Eligibility requires applicants to be residents of Kargil district, hold a valid domicile certificate, and be enrolled as regular offline students in recognized institutions or coaching centres in Srinagar or Jammu.
The duration of stay has been capped in line with course timelines—covering undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional degrees—while Ph.D. scholars may stay for up to five years. Students preparing for competitive examinations are generally allowed a two-year tenure, except UPSC Civil Services aspirants, who may stay for up to three years.
The administration has further clarified that students failing their regular courses or relying solely on online coaching will have to vacate their hostel accommodation to free up space for eligible full-time learners.
Officials stated that the smooth conduct of the maiden entrance test underscores the district administration’s commitment to a merit-based hostel system and improved academic support for Kargil’s student community.
