In a revelation that has sparked debates on employment policies, the Jammu and Kashmir government disclosed on Monday that it has amassed over ₹48 crore from job application fees through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) in the last two years. This figure emerged in response to a question raised by Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para in the legislative assembly.
Breaking down the collections, the government detailed that in the financial year 2023-24, a total of ₹14.48 crore was gathered, with JKPSC contributing ₹7.39 crore and JKSSB ₹7.09 crore. The momentum continued into 2024-25, where JKPSC alone raked in more than ₹10 crore, while JKSSB exceeded ₹23 crore from eager job seekers. The grand total stands at an impressive ₹48.88 crore.
The government also highlighted the scale of recruitment drives, noting that JKSSB issued advertisements for nearly 10,400 posts, compared to JKPSC’s 1,750 posts over the same period. These numbers underscore the intense competition in the Union Territory’s job market.
This disclosure comes amid ongoing criticism from MLA Para, who previously lambasted the 2026-27 budget for neglecting youth and daily wage earners, failing to address rampant unemployment. Jammu and Kashmir grapples with over 500,000 educated unemployed youth scouring for opportunities across sectors.
Government jobs remain the gold standard for many, given the dearth of robust industrial growth. What was once a straightforward path via qualifications now demands rigorous written exams and interviews, transforming the landscape dramatically.
Ironically, fields like medicine and engineering, once surefire tickets to employment, have lost their shine. Reports indicate over 15,000 MBBS graduates and three times that number of engineering graduates remain jobless, highlighting a mismatch between education and opportunities.
As the region pushes for economic revival post-Article 370 abrogation, these fee collections raise questions about reinvestment in job creation and skill development to alleviate the unemployment crisis gripping the youth.