The University of Jammu is set to host the third edition of its flagship multi-genre youth festival, Goonj 2026. The two-day event brings together students, faculty and teaching departments on a common platform of creativity, competition and institutional pride. The festival began in 2024 as a university initiative to encourage holistic student development and strengthen belongingness within the campus community.
Inauguration and Valedictory
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Jammu, will inaugurate the festival. The valedictory function will be attended by Professor Bechan Lal, former Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University and Advisor to the Governor of Assam. The presence of senior academic and constitutional figures marks the institutional importance of the event.
Participation and Scale
Around 600 students have registered for this year’s edition. Participants are coming from:
- Teaching departments of the university
- Off-site campuses
- Affiliated colleges
- Neighbouring universities
The number of participants is expected to rise further. The festival provides a platform for interaction across disciplines and institutions, while also encouraging healthy academic competition.
Festival Components
Goonj 2026 has three major segments:
- Sports
- Cultural activities
- Best Practices Showcase
Through exhibition stalls, departments will present academic mandates, research initiatives, training activities, publications and innovative practices. The format allows departments to display their strengths and learn from one another.
New Reading Initiative
A new feature has been added this year in the form of an exhibition of rare and best-selling books. The initiative aims to promote reading habits among students and widen their exposure to academic and literary resources. Under the Best Practices component, departments will be assessed in two stages by a six-member jury drawn from different organisations.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026