As Jammu and Kashmir enters a new democratic phase with the recent restoration of its Legislative Assembly, expectations are understandably high. Among the most pressing challenges awaiting the region’s elected representatives is the growing concern of unemployment, particularly among the youth.
According to official figures, over six lakh educated unemployed youth are currently registered with employment exchanges in the Union Territory. The actual number, including those underemployed or engaged in informal work, could be significantly higher. The region’s youth unemployment rate, as reported by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), has consistently remained among the highest in the country — at times exceeding 18%, compared to the national average of 7–8%.
This is not merely an economic statistic — it is a social indicator that demands urgent policy attention. For a region that has experienced political uncertainty, developmental delays, and disrupted economic activity over the years, the employment challenge is both unique and complex.
The situation requires a multipronged strategy — one that includes reviving stalled recruitment processes, attracting private sector investment, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening vocational training, and promoting tourism, crafts, agriculture, and IT-based opportunities. With the right vision and policies, J&K has the potential to become a hub of innovation, skill, and economic growth.
This is an opportunity for the newly elected government to set a constructive precedent. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are not seeking favors — they are seeking opportunities to build dignified, stable lives in their own homeland. Employment is not only a means of income; it is the foundation of social stability and long-term peace.
Governments are often remembered not just for what they promised, but for how they responded to the critical needs of their time. If employment generation becomes a true priority, this administration could well be remembered as the one that laid the foundation of a prosperous and self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.
But if left unaddressed, the unemployment crisis risks becoming a lost opportunity — and a painful legacy. The time to act is now.
