Jammu & Kashmir Youth: Between Degrees and Livelihoods — A 2025 Employment Snapshot

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Jammu & Kashmir Youth: Education Levels, Employment Realities, Jobs & Livelihoods in 2025

Jammu & Kashmir Youth: Education Levels, Employment Realities, Jobs & Livelihoods in 2025

By: Javid Amin | 24 December 2025

Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) today stands at a critical juncture: its youth are among the most educated segments of the population, yet many struggle to find stable, dignified employment that matches their qualifications. The paradox of education versus employment is acute — and it is reshaping social, economic, and political dynamics across the Union Territory.

According to the Government of J&K, over 3.6 lakh educated youth have registered as unemployed on the official employment portal as of 2025, highlighting the significant gap between education achievements and available jobs. Rising Kashmir

This feature explores the education profile of youth, where and how they work, government and self-employment initiatives, and the structural challenges influencing career paths in the region.

Education Landscape of J&K Youth

High Registration of Educated Job Seekers

As of the latest official statistics, 361,146 educated youth are registered as unemployed in J&K with district employment exchanges and on the employment portal. Rising Kashmir

This figure includes individuals across educational levels — from higher secondary to postgraduate and professional degrees — reflecting a broad base of qualified but underemployed youth:

  • A significant portion holds graduate and postgraduate qualifications. Rising Kashmir

  • Some reports indicate over a lakh graduates and postgraduates have sought registration, underscoring strong educational attainment. Careers360

Division and District Patterns

There is a notable regional divide in youth unemployment:

Certain districts, particularly Anantnag, Pulwama, Srinagar, and Kathua, report the highest concentrations of educated unemployed youth, indicating local pockets where job scarcity is especially acute. Rising Kashmir

Educational Aspirations vs. Employability

Despite strong academic credentials — including engineering, medicine, law, IT, and management degrees — many young job seekers face a widening gap between qualifications and market-relevant opportunities. Analysts describe this as an “education–employment mismatch,” where academic achievement does not automatically translate into employment due to limited industry demand and skills misalignment. Kashmir InFocus

Working Profile: How J&K Youth Earn a Living

1. Dependence on Government Jobs

Government jobs are culturally and economically prized in J&K, seen as stable, secure, and socially respected positions. However, vacancies are far fewer than the number of applicants:

  • Only approximately 12,524 government posts were filled over the past two years, a small fraction compared with the number of job seekers. Kashmir News Service

  • Recruitment through the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Services Selection Board (JKSSB) remains ongoing, but opportunities are limited relative to demand.

The high preference for government employment reflects historical trends in the region — rooted in the perception of secure public sector roles as foundational livelihood paths for educated youth.

2. Self-Employment and Livelihood Programs

To bridge the employment gap, the J&K government has expanded self-employment and entrepreneurship initiatives:

Mission Youth / Mission YUVA
This comprehensive scheme aims to enable young entrepreneurs and create thousands of livelihood opportunities across sectors, including transport, tourism, technology, and services. The Week

Under these initiatives:

  • Programs such as Mumkin (focusing on the transport sector) and Tejaswini (specifically targeting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship) support youth in starting independent ventures. Kashmir Reader

  • Schemes like Parvaaz help youth prepare for competitive and public service examinations, increasing their prospects of securing recruitment positions. Kashmir Reader

Government data suggests that viable entrepreneurship units could generate hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next five years, though actual uptake and impact remain under evaluation. JKUpdates

3. Skill Development and Work Placement

Recognizing the need for job-ready skills, several schemes focus on training and placement:

  • Himayat Scheme aims to train thousands of youth in service sector competencies, with significant proportions assured placement support. (Note: specific numbers for Himayat from official sources are limited, but the scheme’s intent and structure are widely acknowledged in official policy documents).

  • Government-led job fairs and career melas have provided platforms for employers and job seekers to connect, resulting in on-spot placements and shortlisting of candidates. Kashmir News Observer

Such initiatives seek to narrow the gap between youth capabilities and employer expectations.

4. Private Sector Engagement

The private sector, while smaller in scale than in some other Indian regions, is an active employer of J&K youth in sectors such as:

  • Information Technology and software services, including both traditional roles and remote freelancing.

  • Tourism and hospitality, especially in summer and peak holiday seasons.

  • Retail, logistics, and transport, where youth often find entry-level work — though not always aligned with academic specializations.

However, private sector opportunities are limited due to structural challenges such as a weak industrial base, periodic instability, and infrastructure constraints that hinder business expansion.

5. Informal and Seasonal Work

Outside formal employment, many youth engage in informal or seasonal work as interim ways to earn livelihoods:

  • Contract labor, construction work, delivery and transport services, freelance digital work, and family enterprise support remain common.

  • Some highly educated individuals, unable to secure formal jobs, undertake service industry roles or small business operations to sustain earnings.

This trend reflects coping strategies when formal work avenues lag behind educational attainment.

Challenges Shaping the Youth Employment Landscape in J&K

1. Education–Employment Mismatch

One of the most persistent hurdles is the misalignment between academic qualifications and the actual skills demanded by employers. Many youth with degrees lack work-specific technical skills, limiting their competitiveness in both local and national job markets. Kashmir InFocus

2. Economic and Industrial Gaps

J&K’s economic structure is less industrialized compared to many other Indian states. Limited private sector investment, underdeveloped manufacturing, and periodic socio-political disturbances mean fewer sustained job opportunities outside the public sector.

3. Cultural Preference for Government Jobs

Cultural norms have long emphasized government employment as the most desirable career path, driving intense competition for limited vacancies and overlooking alternative private or entrepreneurial avenues. Foej

4. Regional Instability and Access Barriers

Frequent disruptions, including security incidents and connectivity limitations, can slow private investment and constrain market growth — further tightening job prospects.

Key Takeaways: A Mixed Landscape of Aspirations and Realities

  • Strong Educational Attainment: Youth in J&K are highly educated, with a significant number holding graduate or postgraduate degrees. Rising Kashmir

  • High Registration for Employment: Over 3.6 lakh educated youth have registered as unemployed on official portals by 2025, underscoring persistent joblessness. Rising Kashmir

  • Government Jobs Remain Limited: Only a fraction of job seekers secure government roles each year, and demand far outstrips supply. Kashmir News Service

  • Self-Employment and Scheme-Led Support: Initiatives under Mission Youth, Mumkin, and related programs have boosted livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurship, though challenges remain in scaling these models. The Week

  • Private Sector Engagement Needs Growth: While some youth work in IT, tourism, retail, and services, broader private sector expansion is essential for diversified employment.

Conclusion: Pathways Forward

The future of youth employment in Jammu & Kashmir will hinge on diversified job creation, enhanced skill development, and a balanced ecosystem that embraces both government jobs and private sector growth. Continued expansion of self-employment schemes, targeted skill training, and improved industry linkages could help bridge the persistent gap between education and sustainable livelihoods for J&K’s dynamic young population.

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