J&K’s 3.69 lakh educated youth: Data reveals how many graduates, post graduates, degree holders are without jobs

By: Intiyaz Shah (Ziraat Times)

Srinagar: In a significant revelation, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has released a detailed annexure showing the educational qualifications of unemployed youth registered across the Union Territory with District Employment Exchanges. According to the data, a staggering 3,69,010 educated individuals are currently registered as unemployed, underscoring the magnitude of the employment challenge in the region.

In a written reply to the query raised by MLA Kangan, Mian Meher Ali, the official figures, categorized qualification-wise, present a sobering reflection of the region’s economic and employment realities.

Topping the list are candidates with education up to 10+2, with a total of 2,24,495 registrations, indicating that a large portion of youth are entering the job market without pursuing higher education or professional training.

This is followed by graduates (66,628) and postgraduates (47,114), which together comprise over one-third of the total registered unemployed youth. The data also shows 15,396 degree holders, 9,884 diploma holders, 2,883 ITI-trained youth, 1,589 draftsmen, and 1,021 skilled youth other than ITI.

The government clarified that registration with the Employment Department is a voluntary process, and hence, the figures may not reflect the full scale of unemployment. However, the data still offers a crucial lens into the educational profile of the job-seeking population in J&K and raises serious concerns about the alignment between academic qualifications and market demands.

“What makes the statistics especially troubling is the high number of graduates and postgraduates unable to find meaningful employment despite their qualifications. The data highlights a growing disconnection between the education system and employability in the current job market”, said Syed Nadeem, a research scholar.

Many of these degree holders, experts suggest, lack the vocational or technical skills needed in high-demand sectors.

“This data is a wake-up call,” said a senior official from the Employment Department, on the condition of anonymity. “We must shift from a degree-centric mindset to a skill- and industry-oriented education approach.”

Economists and civil society groups argue that without an urgent focus on skill development, entrepreneurship, and private sector engagement, the number of unemployed youth could swell further, leading to greater economic distress and potential social unrest.