This study explores the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and work-life balance (WLB) among the teaching faculty of the Higher Education Department in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The higher education sector in J&K is crucial for the region’s development, and the study aims to assess the impact of emotional intelligence on faculty members' ability to manage their professional and personal lives. A quantitative approach was used, with data collected through structured questionnaires distributed to faculty members in government degree colleges across the region. The results indicate that higher emotional intelligence positively correlates with better work-life balance. Key components of EI such as self-awareness and social-awareness are particularly influential, while work-life balance is significantly impacted by factors such as working conditions, job enrichment, and grievance handling. The study concludes that emotional intelligence plays a vital role in enhancing work-life balance for faculty members in J&K, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve emotional management and institutional policies supporting work-life balance.