Waris Fayaz

Srinagar, Oct 29 : At least 113 applicants were denied financial aid under the Marriage Assistance Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir between April and October 2025 due to the qualification bar set in existing guidelines.

Minister In charge Social Welfare department, as per the news agency — Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in a written response stated that these beneficiaries were found ineligible for assistance, as they did not meet the prescribed minimum educational qualification.

However, the government has now moved to relax the qualification criteria. The minimum qualification of Class 8 pass has been relaxed up to March 31, 2028, making more applicants eligible for the scheme. The change will apply retrospectively from April 1, 2025—(KNO)