370,811 unemployed youth registered in J&K, Srinagar tops unemployment chart in Kashmir, Kathua leads in Jammu
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir government has no plans to grant stipends to unemployed youth in the Union Territory.
In a written reply to Samba MLA Devinder Kumar Manyal, Labour & Employment Minister Surinder Choudhary stated in the legislative assembly that no such proposal was under review.
“At present, there is no plan to provide stipends to unemployed youth in J&K,” he confirmed. Meanwhile, during the 2024 Assembly election campaign, the National Conference (NC) pledged to create one lakh government jobs for youth in the region.
However, no official steps have been taken in this regard, leaving many young job seekers uncertain about their future prospects.
Meanwhile as of January 2025, a total of 370,811 unemployed youth have registered on the Employment Portal in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister informed.
The minister explained that registration of unemployed educated youth is a voluntary process, and those seeking employment enroll themselves on the Employment Portal (jakemp.nic.in), which has been operational since January 5, 2022.
Additionally, he stated that all government departments refer their vacant posts to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) after fulfilling the necessary formalities.
To support unemployed youth, the Employment Department conducts regular career counseling sessions, helping them explore career opportunities in various sectors. When asked whether the government intends to provide a stipend to unemployed youth, the minister clarified that there is currently no such plan.
However, he emphasized that the government has launched skill development training courses across J&K, which have seen remarkable participation from all sections. Candidates enrolled in these courses are entitled to receive a stipend of Rs 1,000 per month during their training period.
The government-provided statistics reveal that in Kashmir Division, there are 213,007 unemployed youth, including 137,404 males and 75,603 females. Srinagar has the highest number of unemployed individuals, with a total of 29,384 (17,291 males and 12,093 females). In contrast, Bandipora records the lowest number of unemployed youth in the Kashmir division, standing at 11,058 (6,686 males and 4,382 females).
Meanwhile, in the Jammu Division, the total number of registered unemployed youth is 157,804, with 103,098 males and 54,706 females. Kathua has the largest number of unemployed individuals, totaling 27,040, with 17,166 males and 9,874 females. Conversely, Kishtwar has the fewest unemployed youth, with only 8,248 registered (6,001 males and 2,247 females).
While the government has yet to introduce a direct stipend program for unemployed youth, the focus remains on enhancing employability through career counseling and skill development training. The authorities are also working towards filling government vacancies through JKPSC and JKSSB, ensuring a structured approach to addressing unemployment in the region.
With the employment portal serving as a centralized registration system, the government aims to track, support, and assist unemployed youth in securing jobs and skill-based opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
