The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) has amassed over Rs 6.43 crore in application fees for just 75 Naib Tehsildar posts, revealing the stark unemployment crisis gripping the region. According to a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by activist Raman Kumar Sharma, over one lakh aspirants applied for these positions, paying Rs 600 (general category) or Rs 500 (reserved category) per application. However, the recruitment process, halted last month, has left candidates in uncertainty.
Sharma, speaking to PTI, described the overwhelming response as a reflection of “the desperation of educated youth who, despite degrees and qualifications, face scarce opportunities.” The JKSSB, in its August 2 response to the RTI filed on July 21, disclosed collecting Rs 6,43,28,400 but withheld details on the number of applications, citing an ongoing selection process. Sharma criticized the lack of a refund policy, noting that the deferment has caused financial strain for many applicants from economically challenged backgrounds.
The recruitment, announced on June 9, 2025, sparked controversy over a mandatory Urdu proficiency requirement, rooted in the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which holds 29 assembly seats in the Jammu region, led protests, labeling the rule “discriminatory” and exclusionary for Jammu candidates unfamiliar with Urdu. On July 14, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Jammu stayed the Urdu-only clause, prompting JKSSB to defer the process until further notice.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the requirement, emphasizing Urdu’s historical role in revenue records. “Even before Independence, our revenue records were in Urdu. How can staff in the revenue department function without knowing it?” he argued, advocating for a policy allowing appointees time to learn the language, as was practiced for Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service officers in the past.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also supported the Urdu clause, decrying its politicization. “Urdu, a recognized official language for decades, is being unfairly communalized. This requirement is about administrative efficiency, not divisiveness,” she stated, reacting to the CAT’s order.
The controversy has reignited debates over regional disparities and job access in Jammu and Kashmir. Posts on X reflect public frustration, with users like @DostKhan_Jammu alleging the Urdu rule disproportionately excludes Jammu candidates, while @sajadlone highlighted concerns about Kashmiri representation in recruitment lists. The CAT’s interim stay has directed JKSSB to accept applications from candidates proficient in any of J&K’s five official languages (Hindi, Kashmiri, English, Dogri, Urdu), with the next hearing scheduled for August 13, 2025.
The halted recruitment underscores broader challenges in J&K’s job market, where limited vacancies fuel fierce competition. The 75 Naib Tehsildar posts, offering a salary of Rs 35,900–1,13,500 (Pay Level 6E), attracted a massive response, highlighting the region’s unemployment crisis. As candidates await clarity, the non-refunded fees and stalled process have deepened their frustration, raising questions about transparency and fairness in J&K’s recruitment system.