Youth are often seen as the engine of progress. They embody energy, innovation, and resilience. Yet in places like Jammu & Kashmir, thousands of young people—whether employed on short-term contracts or still searching for their first job—live with uncertainty and disappointment. Their struggle is both personal and shared, influencing the future of an entire generation.
The Landscape Of Youth Employment In J&K: Jammu & Kashmir has one of the highest unemployment rates among educated youth in the country. While the region produces many graduates, postgraduates, and skilled professionals, the job market cannot provide stable careers for them. Along with this crisis, another group faces similar challenges—youth who are employed, but only on short-term contracts. This dual problem creates a contradiction: some remain unemployed, while others are technically “employed” but underpaid, insecure, and marginalized. Both situations highlight the structural gaps that deny respect to young professionals.
The Daily Challenges
1. Unemployment Among Educated Youth: Thousands of young men and women in J&K spend years preparing for competitive exams, applying for jobs, and attending interviews, only to find themselves still waiting. The shortage of job opportunities leads to frustration, migration, and feelings of isolation.
2. Insecurity Of Contractual Employment: Those who manage to find work often do so on a contract basis, living with the constant fear of job loss. Their contracts are renewed periodically, making life a cycle of waiting and anxiety.
3. Economic Hardship: Unemployed youth struggle to support their families or pursue further education. Meanwhile, contractual employees earn wages that are much lower than their permanent counterparts. Both groups lack financial stability, often postponing marriage, home ownership, and other life milestones.
4. Social, Psychological Burden: Families invest heavily in their children’s education, expecting security in return. When this doesn’t happen, the disappointment is deeply felt—not just by the individual but also across entire families. Stress, anxiety, and social pressure become constant challenges.
My Story| A Reflection Of The Struggle: I, Ruhail Maqbool Sheikh, represent both the hope and hardship of this generation. For over 13 years, I have worked as a contractual water quality analyst (chemist). I hold a Master’s in Environmental and Occupational Health, an MBA, PG in analytical chemistry and 3 years diploma in advance computer science along with more than 70 professional certifications. Despite qualifications, my job remains contractual. I have been recognized as a Water Hero and Water Warrior of Kashmir by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, received two national awards, and several local recognitions. My efforts have directly supported water quality monitoring in Dal Lake and other water bodies, helping communities protect their health. Yet, my job security remains fragile. Recognition and awards acknowledge my contribution but do not change my situation. Like thousands of other youth—whether contractual or unemployed—I face the reality of a system that values service symbolically but not structurally.
Allowing educated youth to live in uncertainty risks the potential of a whole generation. It is time for action. We need policies that transform insecurity into stability and unemployment into opportunity. A secure youth leads to a secure society. Jammu & Kashmir’s future depends on how responsibly we address this issue today.
The Larger Picture: The plight of contractual youth is closely tied to the broader unemployment crisis in J&K. Both are two sides of the same coin. Educated youth either wait endlessly for a chance or take on insecure jobs to survive. This leads to:
– Brain Drain: Talented youth leave J&K for better opportunities elsewhere.
– Frustration and Alienation: Lack of job security fuels social unrest and erodes trust in institutions.
– Wasted Potential: Skills, creativity, and education remain untapped.
The Way Forward
1. Regularization Policies: Long-serving contractual workers should be considered for permanent positions. Their years of service should be acknowledged.
2. Employment Generation: New schemes, industries, and projects must be launched in J&K to create real job opportunities for educated youth.
3. Equal Pay,Benefits : Employees, whether contractual or permanent, doing the same work should be paid fairly and receive essential benefits like health insurance and pensions.
4. Skill Utilization: The government and private sector must leverage the talents of educated youth by involving them in local development projects, research, and entrepreneurship.
5. Mental Health Support: Counseling, awareness, and community support systems should be established to help youth manage stress and uncertainty.
The challenges faced by contractual employees and unemployed youth in Jammu & Kashmir go beyond the quest for jobs—they involve dignity, recognition, and the right to build a secure life. Awards and recognition cannot replace stability. Degrees and skills should not lead to endless waiting. My story is just one among many. If we allow educated youth to live in uncertainty, we jeopardize the potential of an entire generation. It is time for action—policies that turn insecurity into stability and unemployment into opportunity.A secure youth means a secure society. For Jammu & Kashmir, the future relies on how responsibly we address this issue today.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Ruhail Maqbool Sheikh
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