Ramkot in J&K gets new Kendriya Vidyalaya, minister promotes science scholarships and startups

A newly approved Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ramkot, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, began functioning with the formal inauguration by Union minister Jitendra Singh on Nov 16.

The minister said the school is expected to strengthen access to consistent, high-quality education for children in the region.

During his address, the minister of state in the PMO urged teachers to make full use of central government programs aimed at spotting and nurturing young innovators and early-stage startup ideas within schools.

"The establishment of the Kendriya Vidyalaya will give a boost to education and provide uninterrupted quality education to the children of local residents, apart from the wards of security personnel posted in Ramkot," he said.

For the 2025-26 academic year, 200 students have already been admitted to classes one through five, with 40 seats filled in each class.

The school is currently operating from temporary facilities within the Government Model Higher Secondary School, Ramkot, while arrangements for its permanent infrastructure progress.

Singh encouraged parents of children between 10 and 17 years old to take advantage of scholarships and grants offered by the Department of Science and Technology.

He highlighted the INSPIRE-MANAK scheme, which provides ₹10,000 to each selected student to support innovative ideas and creative projects.

He also urged eligible families to consider the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education, which supports meritorious students aged 17 to 22 years with ₹60,000 annually, including a ₹20,000 mentorship grant, to motivate them to pursue careers in basic sciences and research.

The minister further referenced the Vigyan Jyoti Scheme for girls in classes 11 and 12.

The initiative offers mentoring for higher studies and science and technology careers, with a particular focus on encouraging students from under-represented regions to enter STEM fields.