MoU signed to launch Jammu & Kashmir's First MLA Fellowship Programme
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In a significant move to foster youth engagement in local governance, Jammu & Kashmir has launched its first-ever structured legislative fellowship, the 'Sheikh-ul-Alam MLA Fellowship'. This groundbreaking initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between the J-K Students Association, the J&K Centre for Peace, Research & Sustainable Development, and the Dehradun-based Samaira Policy Institute, aims to immerse young graduates directly into the legislative process and public administration. Applications for the inaugural 13-month cohort are slated to open on June 12, 2026, marking a fresh chapter for youth participation in the Union Territory political landscape. This fellowship arrives as Jammu & Kashmir continues to navigate a complex socio-political environment, with a strong focus from both the Union and UT governments on youth empowerment. Existing initiatives like 'Mission Youth' and the broader 'Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP)' underscore a strategic push to integrate young professionals into the region's development trajectory. By placing fellows directly with Members of the Legislative Assembly and even the Office of the Chief Minister, the program seeks to bridge the critical gap between academic understanding and the practical realities of policy-making and constituency needs, cultivating a new generation of informed leaders. Looking ahead, the 22 selected fellows will undergo intensive residential training at the Samaira Policy Institute in Mussoorie before their placements begin in July 2026, where they will assist legislators in key areas from policy research to public grievance redressal. The success of this 'Sheikh-ul-Alam MLA Fellowship' will be keenly watched as a model for strengthening democratic institutions and channeling youth aspirations into tangible governance contributions within the Union Territory. Its capacity to transform academic talent into impactful public service will define its long-term legacy.