Over 3.70 lakh unemployed youth registered in J&K: Govt

Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said that they facilitated employment opportunities for 4,893 skilled and unskilled youth through job fairs conducted across the Union Territory in the past two years, while as of January 2025, over 3.70 lakh unemployed youth have been registered on the employment portal.

Government data, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveals from 2022-23 to February 2025, 246 job fairs were conducted, 2,760 companies participated, and 1,36,200 job seekers registered themselves during these events. "Out of them, 39,782 candidates were shortlisted for second-round counseling, while 4,893 youth secured on-spot employment."

In 2022-23, the department organised 84 job fairs with the participation of 878 companies and 45,447 job seekers. "As a result, 14,014 candidates were shortlisted, while 1,761 job seekers got on-spot placements, and 2,978 youth were recommended for skill training."

In the subsequent year, the government increased the outreach, conducting 106 job fairs, engaging 1,412 companies and 72,175 job seekers. "This resulted in 20,754 candidates being shortlisted, 1,902 getting on-spot placements, and 2,807 being recommended for skill training".

For the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25 (up to February 2025), 56 job fairs were held, 470 companies participated, and 18,578 job seekers registered. "Among them, 5,014 were shortlisted, while 1,230 candidates secured on-spot placements. Additionally, 855 youth were recommended for skill training".

Replying to a question by MLA Sham Lal Sharma, minister in charge said that it intends to devise a policy focused on job creation in the private sector through multiple schemes and initiatives designed to enhance employment opportunities for the youth.

He stated that the registration of unemployed educated youth on the Employment Portal is a voluntary process, allowing job seekers to avail of self-employment schemes and job opportunities provided by various departments.

"As of January 2025, 3,70,811 unemployed youth have been registered on portal". Additionally, as part of a baseline survey, the government said that 4.73 lakh individuals, within 18-60 age group, have reported being "not working but willing to work" across Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)