Jammu and Kashmir continues to face a growing employment crisis as government recruitment struggles to keep pace with massive vacancies. In a startling revelation made in the Legislative Assembly, the state government confirmed that only 1,230 posts were filled during 2025, while more than 70,000 positions across various departments still lie vacant.
The information surfaced in response to a question raised by MLA Sajad Gani Lone, highlighting serious delays in the public sector hiring process.
Just 1,230 Appointments Against 7,299 Referred Posts
During 2025, the government referred 7,299 vacant posts to two key recruiting agencies—the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB). These bodies oversee recruitment for gazetted and non-gazetted posts respectively.
Out of these:
- 959 posts went to JKPSC (gazetted cadre)
- 6,340 posts went to JKSSB (non-gazetted cadre)
However, progress remained slow. JKPSC finalized only 469 appointments, while JKSSB completed 761 selections, bringing the total to just 1,230 recruits. Recruitment for the remaining posts is still underway, leaving thousands of candidates waiting.
Over 18,000 Vacancies Advertised in 2025 Alone
The government further disclosed that 18,283 vacancies were officially advertised in 2025. These included:
- 4,697 gazetted posts
- 13,584 non-gazetted posts
Among all departments, the Health and Medical Education Department recorded the highest number of vacancies at 5,575, followed by the School Education Department with 3,784 posts.
These figures underline the severe staff shortage affecting essential public services, particularly healthcare and education.
Department-Wise Vacancy Breakdown Reveals Alarming Gaps
Available data shows widespread shortages across key government departments:
Health and Medical Education Department
- 2,497 gazetted posts
- 8,088 non-gazetted posts
- 2,712 MTS posts
Public Works Department (PWD)
- 770 non-gazetted posts
- 2,841 MTS posts
Energy Development Department
- 54 gazetted posts
- 1,637 non-gazetted posts
- 141 MTS posts
Education Department
- 594 gazetted posts
- 727 non-gazetted posts
- 43 MTS posts
Rural Development & Panchayati Raj
- 17 gazetted posts
- 856 non-gazetted posts
- 607 MTS posts
Finance Department
- 20 gazetted posts
- 1,565 non-gazetted posts
- 139 MTS posts
Revenue Department
- 34 gazetted posts
- 856 non-gazetted posts
- 607 MTS posts
These numbers clearly show that the staffing crisis affects nearly every major department, directly impacting governance and service delivery.
Reservation Policy Still Awaiting Final Approval
Addressing concerns over recruitment delays, the government clarified that the Lieutenant Governor has forwarded the Cabinet Subcommittee’s report on reservation rationalization to the Ministry of Home Affairs for final approval. Until this process concludes, several recruitment drives remain in limbo.
Growing Unemployment Concerns in Jammu & Kashmir
With over 70,000 posts vacant, the slow recruitment pace continues to fuel frustration among job seekers. Aspirants across Jammu and Kashmir are demanding faster hiring, transparent timelines, and policy clarity to tackle rising unemployment.
Experts believe that accelerating recruitment through JKPSC and JKSSB could not only strengthen public institutions but also provide critical relief to thousands of educated youth.
The government recruitment scenario in Jammu and Kashmir paints a troubling picture. Despite thousands of advertised vacancies, only a fraction have been filled so far. As essential departments operate with skeletal staff, the urgency for streamlined recruitment and policy resolution has never been greater. Swift action could transform this crisis into an opportunity—revitalizing public services while offering meaningful employment to the region’s youth.
