Kashmir's Career Conundrum

Thousands of young Kashmiris pin their hopes on government jobs, equating exam results with success. But in a region of limited opportunities, this belief is a trap, not a gateway to progress.

- Nazim Bashir

A government job is often seen as the only measure of success in Kashmir. Families, teachers, and society at large treat it like a trophy that proves intelligence, discipline, and worth. Young people spend years preparing for exams, living in hope that one day their names will appear on a merit list. When the results don’t come, the heartbreak can be devastating.

I know this because I have witnessed it. One of my closest friends spent years preparing for the SSB Accounts Assistant exam. Every day, he followed a strict routine, studied late into the night, and set aside his hobbies, friendships, and even his health. His family believed that clearing this exam would guarantee him a secure, respected future.

After his attempt failed, I found him despondent, unable to sleep or eat. Another friend missed the cutoff by just a couple of points. The disappointment sank so deep that he attempted suicide. I spent days counseling him, helping him understand that life is bigger than a single test.

These are not isolated cases. Across Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of young people live under the same pressure. Official data shows that over the past five years, Jammu and Kashmir has produced around 36,000 government jobs. That is roughly 7,000 to 9,000 jobs a year through JKSSB and JKPSC combined.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of aspirants apply. The odds are overwhelming, but the belief remains that failing such exams is a sign of failure itself.