Unemployment –  Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent, nearly double the national average of 3.5 percent, even as the administration collected over Rs 48 crore from job seekers applying for government positions during the past two financial years.

Recruitment Fee Details Shared in Assembly

The information was disclosed in the Legislative Assembly in response to a written query raised by Peoples Democratic Party legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para. In its reply, the government stated that the two principal recruitment bodies in the Union Territory — the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board — together received more than Rs 48 crore in application fees from candidates seeking employment in government departments.

The data covers the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 and reflects payments made by aspirants applying for various advertised posts across departments.

Breakdown of Collections by JKPSC

According to the figures placed before the House, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission accounted for Rs 17.90 crore of the total amount collected over the two-year period.

During 2023-24, the commission received Rs 7.39 crore in application fees. The following year, 2024-25, saw a notable rise in collections, with the figure increasing to Rs 10.50 crore. These amounts were gathered from candidates applying for different categories of posts notified by the commission, which conducts recruitment for gazetted services and other professional roles.

The increase in fee collection in the second year indicates a higher number of applicants responding to job notifications or an expansion in advertised vacancies, though the Assembly reply did not provide details on the number of posts or applicants.

Larger Share Collected by Services Selection Board

A larger portion of the total revenue came through the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board. Over the same two financial years, the board collected Rs 30.98 crore in application fees from candidates applying for non-gazetted posts and other departmental vacancies.

In 2023-24, the board received Rs 7.09 crore from applicants. This figure rose sharply to Rs 23.88 crore in 2024-25, marking a significant increase in revenue during the second year under review.

The board typically handles recruitment for a wide range of government positions, including clerical, technical and support staff roles across departments, which often attract a substantial number of applicants.

Context of Rising Job Demand

The disclosure comes at a time when employment remains a key concern in Jammu and Kashmir. With the unemployment rate standing at 6.7 percent, many young people continue to rely on government recruitment drives as a primary avenue for stable employment.

The comparison with the national average of 3.5 percent highlights the employment challenges facing the region. Government job notifications in the Union Territory frequently draw large numbers of applicants, reflecting both limited private sector opportunities and the preference for secure public sector roles.

While the Assembly reply focused specifically on the revenue generated through application fees, it did not address how many vacancies were filled during the same period or the broader impact of recruitment drives on overall employment levels.

The figures nonetheless provide an insight into the scale of participation in government recruitment processes and the financial contribution made by job seekers through application charges over two years.