Bengaluru: For thousands of students from Jammu and Kashmir, Bengaluru has become much more than a destination for higher education. Over the past three decades, the city has offered continuity, opportunity and a sense of belonging for families seeking quality education amid prolonged uncertainty in the Valley.
Since the early 1990s, when militancy and disruptions to education prompted many families to look beyond Kashmir, Bengaluru has consistently emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for higher studies.
A trusted destination for generations
Although there is no official database tracking where students from Jammu and Kashmir pursue higher education, education consultants and student counsellors say Bengaluru continues to attract a large number of Kashmiri students every year.
The city’s academic reputation, pleasant climate, cosmopolitan culture and well-established Kashmiri community have helped build trust across generations.
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2023–24, Karnataka has 4,529 colleges, among the highest in the country, and the highest college density with 69 colleges per lakh population in the 18–23 age group.
Families continue a decades-old connection
For Faisal, a government official from Kashmir, Bengaluru holds special significance. He came to the city to study engineering during the early years of the insurgency before returning to build his career in the Valley.
Years later, he chose the same engineering college for his son, Owais.
According to Faisal, Bengaluru provided him with quality education and confidence during a difficult period and now offers his son global exposure, industry connections and career opportunities that were unavailable decades ago.
Education, careers and a welcoming atmosphere
Parents say Bengaluru’s appeal extends beyond its educational institutions. They value the city’s relatively moderate weather, diverse culture and the strong support network created by former Kashmiri students over the years.
Many families also consider the city’s inclusive environment an important factor while deciding where to send their children for higher studies.
Kashmiri IT professional Maroof, who studied in Bengaluru and later settled here, said the city’s thriving technology sector, pleasant climate and welcoming community make it an ideal place to study and build a career.
For countless families in the Valley, Bengaluru continues to symbolise hope, opportunity and a bridge to a brighter future through education.