Srinagar, June 11: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) and the J&K Centre for Peace, Research & Sustainable Development (JKCPRS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Samaira Policy Institute (SPI), Dehradun, to launch the Sheikh-ul-Alam MLA Fellowship, which the organisations described as the first structured legislative fellowship programme in Jammu & Kashmir.
According to a statement, the Fellowship will provide selected graduates and young professionals with exposure to governance, policymaking, legislative functioning, public administration, constituency management and grassroots development through placements with Members of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
The statement said the Fellowship is being jointly implemented by JKSA and JKCPRS and is intended to promote youth engagement in public policy, governance and democratic institutions.
Named after Sheikh-ul-Alam (Nund Rishi), the programme is scheduled to begin with its inaugural cohort in July 2026. Around 22 Fellows are expected to be selected through a competitive process and placed with MLAs for a period of 13 months. Two Fellows will also be attached to the Office of the Chief Minister, according to the statement.
Before their placements, selected candidates will undergo a one-month residential training programme at the Samaira Policy Institute campus in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The training will focus on governance, policymaking, legislative processes and public administration.
The statement said Fellows will assist legislators in areas such as policy research, legislative analysis, constituency outreach, public grievance redressal, stakeholder engagement, development planning and policy formulation.
Vishal Paul, President of Samaira Policy Institute, said the Fellowship aims to provide young people with opportunities to engage directly with governance and policymaking processes through structured placements with elected representatives.
Under the MoU, SPI will provide technical support, training, curriculum design, mentorship and institutional guidance for the programme, while JKSA and JKCPRS will facilitate outreach, stakeholder engagement, implementation and coordination with legislators and other stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir.
Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of JKSA and Founder of JKCPRS, said the Fellowship is intended to support youth leadership development and increase engagement with democratic institutions.
According to the statement, applications for the first cohort are expected to open on June 12, 2026, and the selected Fellows are likely to begin the programme in the last week of July.
