Graduates today possess more credentials than any previous generation, yet they face a market that cannot absorb their specialized knowledge. This widening gap between academic achievement and financial independence has turned the dream of upward mobility into a cycle of dependency.
By Syed Mustafa Ahmed
In the narrow, bustling streets of Srinagar and the quiet apple orchards of Sopore, a common narrative persists: the long, weary wait for a government “order.” Regardless of how one defines unemployment, its long-term effects are nothing short of disastrous. It ranks among the most pressing challenges confronting any society, but in Kashmir, this reality manifests itself in the literal and metaphorical long queues of educated young people waiting for government jobspositions widely regarded as the ultimate symbols of security and social standing.
These individuals have invested considerable time and resources in their education, often spanning two decades of rigorous academic pursuit. Yet, paradoxically, they find themselves unable to meet their own basic needs, let alone support their families, forcing them into a state of dependency on parents who are often nearing retirement.
What value does education hold when it fails to secure a livelihood? According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2024-25, Jammu and Kashmir records an unemployment rate of 6.7%, nearly double the national average of 3.5%. Even more staggering is the urban youth unemployment rate for those aged 15–29, which has hovered near 32%. Ironically, many uneducated individuals, skilled in masonry, carpentry, or traditional crafts manage to earn a living and sustain themselves with reasonable comfort. Meanwhile, their educated counterparts wander aimlessly, finding every path blocked and every door closed, trapped in an endless tunnel of despair with no visible light at the end.
In earlier times, society did not witness such a desperate pursuit of government employment. The socio-economic fabric of the Valley was woven differently:
- Abundant Resources: Basic necessities were largely met within the family structure. Agricultural land was abundant, and most households achieved a degree of self-sufficiency.
- The Barter System: When additional needs arose, the barter system provided practical solutions without the need for liquid capital.
- Limited Desires: Life moved at a slower pace; contentment prevailed as a shared social value. A single earning member could comfortably support an extended family of ten or twelve.
However, the passage of time has transformed everything. Needs have multiplied exponentially, and the culture of self-reliance has given way to a total dependency on markets. Materialism has established itself as the defining principle of contemporary existence, turning “success” into a competitive race that many feel they have already lost.
In today’s interconnected world, unemployment has transcended local boundaries. It is intensified by automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) that continue to render traditional administrative and clerical occupations obsolete. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly revealed the vulnerability of job markets, and in the post-pandemic era, university degrees no longer guarantee employment.
Employers now prioritize practical skills and digital competencies such as data analysis, digital marketing, and software development that conventional Kashmiri education often neglects. While the expanding gig economy offers freelance opportunities, it lacks the healthcare and retirement benefits that make government jobs so alluring in a region with limited social safety nets. Furthermore, social media amplifies frustration; young people constantly compare their lived struggles with the curated portrayals of success on their screens.
The psychological toll of prolonged idleness has reached alarming proportions. The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar reports a surge in cases of anxiety and depression among the youth. Most tragically, the “empty hand” of the unemployed graduate has become a target for the drug trade.
Recent estimates suggest that nearly 13.5 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir are affected by substance abuse, with a significant portion being unemployed youth. When the “visible light” at the end of the career tunnel vanishes, many find a false, destructive refuge in opioids. This is no longer just an economic issue; it is a burgeoning public health and moral crisis that demands urgent intervention from both policymakers and the community.
What options exist for young people in the present era? The available pathways are distressingly few, but the primary obstacle is often psychological. Government employment resembles a mirage—visible from a distance but rarely attainable. When opportunities do arise, they are frequently delayed by litigation or overshadowed by a shrinking “Open Merit” pool, intensifying competition to a breaking point.
The private sector, though growing in sectors like tourism and food processing, remains constrained by infrastructure gaps. Perhaps the greatest hurdle is the prevailing social attitude: private employment and entrepreneurship are often seen as inferior substitutes for “Gazetted” status.
The government must assume greater responsibility, but society must also redefine success. We cannot afford to have a generation whose spirits are broken by the weight of their own degrees. Resolving the youth unemployment crisis requires treating it not as an inevitable tragedy but as a solvable problem. Let us hope for a better tomorrow for our educated youth, and dedicate ourselves to building a future where an education is a bridge to a livelihood, not a path to despair.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this newspaper
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