The Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Monday that it had provided employment opportunities to 4,893 skilled and unskilled youth through job fairs held across the Union Territory over the past two years. By January 2025, more than 3.70 lakh unemployed youth had registered on the employment portal.
According to government data, from 2022-23 to February 2025, a total of 246 job fairs were conducted, with 2,760 companies participating and 1,36,200 job seekers registering for these events. “Out of them, 39,782 candidates were shortlisted for second-round counseling, while 4,893 youth secured on-spot employment.”
In 2022-23, the department organised 84 job fairs, with 878 companies and 45,447 job seekers participating. “As a result, 14,014 candidates were shortlisted, 1,761 job seekers secured on-spot placements, and 2,978 youth were recommended for skill training.”
In the following year, the government expanded its outreach, conducting 106 job fairs with the participation of 1,412 companies and 72,175 job seekers. “This led to 20,754 candidates being shortlisted, 1,902 securing on-spot placements, and 2,807 being recommended for skill training.”
For the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25 (up to February 2025), 56 job fairs have been held, with 470 companies participating and 18,578 job seekers registering. “Among them, 5,014 were shortlisted, while 1,230 candidates secured on-spot placements. Additionally, 855 youth were recommended for skill training.”
In response to a question by MLA Sham Lal Sharma, the minister in charge stated that the government intends to devise a policy aimed at job creation in the private sector through various schemes and initiatives designed to enhance employment opportunities for the youth.
He further said that the registration of unemployed educated youth on the Employment Portal is voluntary, enabling job seekers to access self-employment schemes and job opportunities offered by various departments.
“As of January 2025, 3,70,811 unemployed youth have been registered on the portal.” Additionally, as part of a baseline survey, the government noted that 4.73 lakh individuals aged 18-60 have reported being “not working but willing to work” across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)
