Jammu, Feb 20: More than 3.49 lakh youth are registered as unemployed across Jammu and Kashmir, even as 22,287 posts remain vacant in various government departments, the administration informed the Legislative Assembly on Friday.
In a written reply to a question by legislator Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah during the ongoing budget session, the government, as per Kashmir Convener, placed on record the district-wise break-up of unemployed youth registered with District Employment and Counselling Centres (DE&CCs) as of December 2025.
According to the data, the Kashmir Valley accounts for 1,97,819 unemployed youth, while the Jammu division has 1,51,869 registered job seekers. Srinagar district recorded the highest number of unemployed in the Valley at 19,860, followed by Baramulla (19,390) and Anantnag (18,592). In the Jammu division, Kathua topped the list with 26,802 unemployed, followed by Poonch (16,591) and Jammu (15,183).
Replying to a query on total vacant posts, the government, as per Kashmir Convener, informed the House that as of December 31, 2025, a total of 22,287 posts were lying vacant across departments. This includes 1,742 gazetted and 20,545 non-gazetted posts.
However, the government claimed that 1,618 gazetted posts and 6,419 non-gazetted posts have been filled in the last two years. The figures suggest that while recruitment is underway, fresh vacancies are also being created, keeping the overall number of unemployed high.
With job aspirants often complaining about opaque and delayed recruitment processes, the government has now released a detailed timeline. The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) is currently processing 1,866 gazetted posts and has assured the government that selections will be finalized by September 2026.
In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) will advertise 6,340 fresh posts based on indents placed by administrative departments. This is in addition to the 10,313 posts already advertised by the Board.
A month-wise recruitment calendar for 2026 has been issued, with examinations scheduled from February to September for positions ranging from Sub Inspector to Junior Assistant. The government stressed that the calendars are being “strictly followed.”
Interestingly, the government’s reply seemed to emphasize that not all unemployed youth are waiting for government jobs. Under the Mission Yuva scheme, launched to promote entrepreneurship, over 1.71 lakh youth have registered on the platform, leading to more than 70,000 formal enterprise applications.
The numbers presented are substantial: 16,141 applications have completed the full cycle, resulting in bank sanctions of about ₹1,000 crore, with ₹700 crore already disbursed. The government claimed that 15,000 more cases are at an advanced stage and will be sanctioned by March 31, 2026.
“These figures translate to thousands of enterprises being established on the ground,” the reply stated, signaling the administration’s push to position entrepreneurship as a viable alternative to government employment.
The government also detailed its skill training initiatives. Under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, 1,34,677 beneficiaries have been upskilled in traditional crafts, with financial assistance of ₹4,000 and toolkit assistance of ₹15,000 per head. Additionally, 90,609 beneficiaries have been trained under PMKVY 4.0.
Employment generation figures under central schemes show PMEGP generated 48,157 jobs in 2024-25 and 31,898 jobs in 2025-26.
On the vexed issue of delays in recruitment — a perennial source of frustration for aspirants in J&K — the government admitted that 7,195 selections are pending with both recruiting agencies. The reasons cited: court cases and other “exigencies beyond administrative control.”
But in what will be watched closely by job seekers, the government asserted that strict directions have been issued for finalizing all pending selections in a time-bound manner. “The recruiting agencies are taking appropriate action regarding the finalisation of pending selections and there is no intentional delay in the process,” the reply stated.
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