J&K’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 6.1%, But Remains Higher Than Last Year
J&K unemployment dips to 6.1% with job schemes, but concerns rise over recruitment delays and need for overseas job facilitation.
Government to Fast-Track Recruitment and Enhance Livelihood Opportunities
Jammu, March 15: The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a decline from 6.7% in 2019-20 to 6.1% in 2023-24, according to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. However, the figure has risen from 4.4% in 2022-23, signaling a complex employment scenario in the Union Territory.
The Chief Minister provided these statistics in a written response to a question raised by National Conference MLA and former Speaker Mubarak Gul in the Legislative Assembly. While the government maintains that the unemployment rate has reduced over the years, Gul contested these figures, arguing that the job crisis has only intensified.
The written reply, presented by Rural Development and Agriculture Minister Javaid Dar, outlined several measures undertaken by the government to tackle unemployment. According to official data, employment opportunities have significantly increased, with approximately 9.58 lakh livelihoods generated through various government schemes.
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Workers Population Ratio (WPR), key indicators of employment health, have shown a positive trend in Jammu and Kashmir. The LFPR rose to 64.3%, while the WPR increased to 60.4% in 2023-24, reflecting expanded employment opportunities and economic activities in the region.
Raising supplementary questions, NC MLA Mubarak Gul emphasized the need for greater awareness about government job schemes, stating that many unemployed youth remain unaware of available opportunities. He also criticized the slow recruitment process, pointing out that in some cases, a single vacancy is referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), leading to unnecessary delays.
Gul urged the government to revive the monthly honorarium scheme introduced during Omar Abdullah’s previous tenure, which provided financial support to unemployed graduates and postgraduates—Rs 2,000 for graduates and Rs 4,000 for postgraduates, with higher amounts for professionals like doctors and engineers. He also called for the establishment of an Overseas Corporation, modeled after Kerala’s initiative, to assist youth seeking employment opportunities abroad.
In response to concerns about the recruitment process, Minister Javaid Dar assured the Assembly that all referred vacancies would be filled on a fast-track basis. He also committed to launching awareness campaigns to ensure better dissemination of employment-related information.
BJP MLA from Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia, highlighted the issue of nearly 40,000 vacant government posts and urged the administration to expedite recruitment.
In the past two years, 11,526 selections have been made through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and JKSSB. The year 2023 saw the selection of 4,836 candidates (1,141 by JKPSC and 3,695 by JKSSB), while 2024 recorded 6,690 selections (1,034 by JKPSC and 5,656 by JKSSB).
In the private sector, 45,688 unemployed youth secured jobs in the industrial sector—15,719 in 2022-23 and 29,969 in 2023-24. Additionally, government-backed self-employment initiatives such as ‘Mumkin’, ‘Tejaswini’, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), and the Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) have generated over 9.58 lakh livelihood opportunities in the past four years.
The year-wise breakdown of employment generation is as follows:
- 2021-22: 2,99,266 jobs
- 2022-23: 2,83,664 jobs
- 2023-24: 2,38,675 jobs
- 2024-25 (up to January): 1,36,165 jobs
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the government has generated 3.01 crore person-days of employment up to January 2025, benefiting 8.07 lakh households.
With a strong focus on youth development and entrepreneurship, the government has introduced ‘Mission Yuva’, a structured program aimed at fostering self-employment and business growth. The initiative seeks to empower five lakh potential entrepreneurs and create 1,37,000 new enterprises, generating 4.25 lakh employment opportunities over a five-year period.
Additionally, 246 job fairs have been organized in the last four years, leading to 4,893 direct placements by 2,760 companies. Another 6,640 candidates have been recommended for skill training programs.
Recognizing the importance of skill development in enhancing employability, the administration has rolled out multiple training programs across Jammu and Kashmir, equipping job seekers with industry-relevant skills.
Despite the drop in unemployment rates over the years, the increase from 4.4% in 2022-23 to 6.1% in 2023-24 highlights the need for sustained policy interventions. The government’s commitment to fast-tracking recruitment, promoting self-employment, and filling vacant positions in public offices will be critical in ensuring long-term economic stability.
With continued efforts in skill development, private sector job creation, and entrepreneurial support, Jammu and Kashmir is poised to make significant strides in employment generation. However, effective implementation and broader outreach of these programs will be crucial in bridging the gap between policy measures and on-ground impact.
