With so many crises already experienced by the residents of Jammu &Kashmir, they are also facing an unemployment crisis these days. Both urban and rural populations are struggling to survive this challenge. Credit goes to limited opportunities from government side, inadequate investment, insufficient private sector share, aspirational issue of youth, who keep on waiting for government job and political instability; however, there are more to it. Due to this, youth, who make up a significant portion of the population, are disproportionately affected. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2024) report, India’s youth unemployment rate was 12.4% in 2022, reflecting a 5.1% decline since 2019 but a 6.7% increase compared to 2011. In J&K, unemployment among individuals aged 15–29 reached 32% in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 2.2 percentage point rise from the corresponding period in 2023. This rate is the highest in India, followed by Odisha (30.4%) and Kerala (27.6%). Looking at the figures for the unemployment rate in men and women, we see no improvement. In the year 2024, the highest unemployed women (53.6%) are found in J&K, and the highest unemployed males (28.1%) are found in Odisha. The unemployment crisis has created a ripple effect on the region’s educational landscape. With families struggling financially, many students – particularly from rural and economically disadvantaged areas – are forced to earn to support their households. Adding to this higher unemployment has brought down the prospective yields which a student expects once he completes a particular degree, this has created a discouraged vibe towards education among students as well as their parents. So the low employment rate of the UT is also discouraging families from opting for education for their children. A significant decline has recently been observed in the government degree colleges in J&K. The director of these colleges responds that students want to earn while learning right after their 12th. This is one of the prime reasons for the decline. Jammu & Kashmir, which has historically prided itself on being the first in the nation to implement National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 and engage students in Common University Entrance Test (CUET) exams, is now even struggling to get students in the exam halls! Due to this, students especially from impoverished backgrounds are increasingly missing out on foundational education, which could result in a decline in long-term literacy levels of J&K which is already lower than national level at 67.16% against at 74% at national, according to last census, i.e. 2011. This will hurt the national goal of achieving higher levels of literacy in the country. We argue that this trend could create a vicious cycle: a decline in college enrolments leading to fewer skilled workers, which, in turn, perpetuates unemployment. These vicious circles will have drastic economic consequences for the UT in years to come.
“The unemployment crisis in Jammu & Kashmir is more than an economic issue—it is a social and educational emergency that demands urgent attention. Without immediate and sustained efforts, the region is at risk of losing another generation to joblessness, under-education, and despair. Solving this dual challenge of unemployment and declining education requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, educational institutions, and local communities to secure a brighter future for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir.”
Though the government has introduced several schemes focusing on addressing these challenges, such as skill development programs, financial aid for education and incentives for industries to set up operations in the region, however, the impact of these measures has been limited. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy that links education with employability. Additionally, there is a need for targeted initiatives to make students understand about the importance of higher education. Though some proportion of people in J&K does move to other states for better opportunities, however many are reluctant to leave their home region. Hence, it is important to attempt to provide the students with opportunities within the region. Another important parameter is tourism. A major chunk of employment is generated through tourism, but its potential to engage more youth remains untapped. Hence, the government should enhance the participation of young people through sector-specific outreach programs. The unemployment crisis in Jammu & Kashmir is more than an economic issue—it is a social and educational emergency that demands urgent attention. Without immediate and sustained efforts, the region is at risk of losing another generation to joblessness, under-education, and despair. Solving this dual challenge of unemployment and declining education requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, educational institutions, and local communities to secure a brighter future for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir.
(Authors are freelancers. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Anshita Sachan
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Aamir Ahmad Teeli
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