The Kashmir Pulse

You have booked the flights, sorted the hotel and maybe even planned a few restaurant stops. But one question tends to get left for the last minute: how much medical cover do you actually need?

Pick too little and a hospital stay abroad could eat into your savings. Pick too much and you pay for protection you may never use. The answer is not the same for every traveller. A lot of it depends on where you are headed.

Why Does the Destination Matter So Much?

Healthcare costs vary wildly from one country to another. A doctor's visit in Thailand is a very different bill from the same visit in the United States. Even a simple emergency room trip in some countries can run into thousands of dollars before treatment begins.

Then there is the way local systems work. Many private hospitals want the money before they treat you. Locals may get public benefits; you, as a tourist, usually won't. So your sum insured is really your cushion against that first big invoice. It should match what care costs where you are going, not what it costs back home in India.

High-Cost Destinations: The USA, Canada and Europe

If you are heading to the United States or Canada, take medical costs seriously. The US is known for expensive hospital stays, specialist visits and even routine tests. A fall on a hiking trail or a sudden infection can turn into a long and costly episode.

Because of this, travellers to North America are generally advised to pick a higher sum insured. If you are travelling with children or elderly parents, going for the top slab your insurer offers is not a bad idea.

Europe sits somewhere in the middle, though it still needs attention. For a Schengen visa, the embassies want proof of medical cover of at least 30,000 euros. Think of that as a starting line. Plenty of people buy more. Since visa rules do get revised, it helps to glance at the consulate's own page before you apply.

Asia and the Middle East

Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai. These usually cost less than the West, but "less" is relative. A night in a private hospital in a big city can still sting, and as a visitor you will probably end up in one, because that's where the quick admission and English-speaking doctors are.

A mid-range sum insured tends to be enough for a healthy adult on a short break. Planning to dive, trek or try water sports? Bump it up a little, and read what your policy says about adventure activities, because some plans simply leave them out.

Your Age and Trip Type Matter Too

Same city, different travellers, different needs. A student heading abroad for a year isn't in the same boat as someone on a long weekend. If you are a senior with something like diabetes or blood pressure issues, the chance of needing a doctor goes up, so a larger sum insured is usually wiser. Kids pick up bugs in new climates more often than you'd think, so families often like a bit of extra room.

Length of stay plays a part. Two weeks is short. Three months is a long time to be exposed to the what-ifs. Travelling for work? Ask HR first, since your company may already have a group cover and you'd rather not pay twice.

Looking at Plans Without Getting Lost

Good travel insurance lets you pick from different sum insured slabs, which is handy because you can fit the number to the country instead of taking whatever is on the default option. Some plans throw in evacuation or baggage loss as well.

Don't stop at the big number on the brochure. See whether claims are cashless or need reimbursement later. Read the exclusions. There may be a deductible too. That's the slice of any bill you pay yourself before the insurer chips in. Big number, endless exclusions? That can leave you worse off than a smaller plan with clear terms.

Visiting More Than One Country?

Go by the priciest stop. Say it's Singapore for a week, then three days in New York. New York decides it, because that is where a bad day would cost you the most.

Some international travel insurance plans are made for exactly this kind of trip. One policy, many borders. It's easier than juggling two covers, and there's no gap if you hop across a border halfway through.

Before You Pay

Do a quick check on whether your destination demands insurance for entry. Be upfront about your health history, even the boring bits. A claim can get rejected if something was left out, and nobody wants that argument from a hospital bed in another country. If a clause makes no sense, ask the insurer to put it in plain words.

Wrapping Up

There's no magic figure. Look at what care costs where you're going, think about who's coming along and how long you'll be gone. Then pick a limit that sits right with all of that. Your trip will feel lighter for it. Safe travels!

SRINAGAR — The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has authorised designated officers of power utilities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to disconnect electricity supply upon detection of theft, subject to the Electricity Act, 2003 and the applicable Electricity Supply Code.

According to the JERC order, the Commission considered a request from Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) seeking authorisation for officers in charge of electrical distribution sub-divisions to disconnect supply when electricity theft is detected.

Exercising powers under the first proviso to Section 135(1A) of the Electricity Act, 2003, JERC authorised officers of JPDCL, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) to take appropriate action in cases falling within the definition of theft under Section 135(1).

The authorisation covers officers duly posted as in-charge of respective Electric Distribution Sub-divisions, within their territorial jurisdictions.

It also covers officers holding valid authorisation under Section 135(2) from the competent government authority, within the territorial jurisdiction covered by that authorisation.

JERC clarified that the authority given to officers in charge of Electric Distribution Sub-divisions is independent of the existence of separate authorisation under Section 135(2).

Officers of a rank higher than the rank so authorised may also exercise the power of disconnection within their respective jurisdictions, in accordance with the first proviso to Section 135(1A), the Commission said.

The order, however, makes a distinction between the power to disconnect supply and powers of inspection and search.

JERC said the order confers authorisation for disconnection under Section 135(1A) only. Powers of entry, inspection, search and seizure under Section 135(2) can be exercised only by officers separately authorised under that provision and subject to the safeguards contained in Sections 135(3) and 135(4) and the applicable Supply Code.

Where necessary, the concerned utility will have to seek such separate authorisation from the competent government authority, the Commission said.

JERC has also directed each utility to publish and maintain an updated list of authorised officers at its offices and on its website.

The list must include the names, designations, ranks, territorial jurisdictions and the statutory provisions under which the officers are authorised.

The Commission further directed that photo identity cards issued to officers should accurately reflect the scope of their authorisation. Inspection authority under Section 135(2) should be indicated only where the requisite government authorisation exists.

The utilities have also been directed to comply with the relevant requirements of the JERC Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2023 for officers authorised under Section 135(2).

“All action shall conform to the JERC for the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and the UT of Ladakh (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2023, as amended, including the applicable requirements for inspection, evidence, assessment and consumer safeguards,” the Commission said.

JERC also directed the utilities to maintain records of disconnections, police complaints and restoration of supply for production before the Commission whenever required.

The order will take effect from the date of its issue.

PULWAMA — The three-day J&K Science Congress 2026 on “Science, Innovations and Emerging Technologies for Sustainable and Viksit J&K” concluded at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) on Thursday, with participation from scientists, researchers, academicians, innovators, students and experts.

The valedictory session was held at the Nund Reshi Auditorium of IUST, where Minister of School and Higher Education Sakina Itoo stressed the importance of knowledge creation and empowering young people in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The future of Jammu and Kashmir will not be defined merely by infrastructure but by the knowledge created and the young minds empowered,” Itoo said while addressing the gathering as chief guest.

She also emphasised the need to prepare young people not only to seek employment but to become “creators of employment”.

“While talent is everywhere, opportunity must also be made available everywhere,” she said.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, who attended the session as guest of honour, appreciated IUST and the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKSTIC) for providing a platform for scientists, researchers and students.

IUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo said the Science Congress had brought together scientists, researchers and students to deliberate on issues including climate change, disaster vulnerability, sustainability and emerging technologies.

“The enthusiasm of young students, scientists and researchers gives us immense hope for a sustainable and Viksit J&K driven by Science and innovation,” Romshoo said.

He said the Congress had served as a confluence of ideas, innovation and responsibility, highlighting discussions ranging from climate challenges in the Upper Indus Basin to the creativity displayed by school students.

“Our vision for a Viksit J&K can only be realised when we empower our youth to think scientifically and act for a sustainable future,” he said.

Dean Research, IUST, Dr Aabid Hussain Shalla presented a report on the Congress, stating that about 700 researchers and 4,000 participants took part in 26 technical sessions covering 14 themes, besides five plenary sessions and two panel discussions.

The best oral and poster presenters were felicitated by the dignitaries during the valedictory programme.

Dean Academic Affairs IUST Prof. Ajaz Bashir delivered the welcome address, while Dean Outreach IUST Dr Ruheela Hassan proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier, the day featured the fifth plenary lecture delivered by Romshoo on “Climate Change, Cryosphere Depletion and Emerging Glacial Hazards in the Upper Indus Basin: Implications for Water Security and Infrastructure”. The session was chaired by Prof. Vinod Kumar Gaur, former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.

The Congress also featured a dedicated School Students’ Science Programme conducted in collaboration with the National Children’s Science Congress. Students from 20 schools took part, with more than 80 participants presenting posters, models and projects.