Degrees Gathering Dust: Kashmir’s Educated Youth Trapped in a Vicious Joblessness Crisis
Yasir Najar
Srinagar ,June 30 ( KB ) : Thousands of educated young men and women across Jammu and Kashmir are staring into a future clouded by uncertainty, as academic qualifications earned through years of dedication are failing to open the doors to meaningful employment.
From postgraduate scholars to engineering graduates, a silent crisis is unfolding — one where degrees gather dust and dreams are steadily shattered.
Arif Ahmad, from Anantnag, holds a Master’s degree in Political Science. Instead of contributing to the society he once aspired to serve, he now does menial jobs to support his family.
“I thought education would change my life,” Arif says, his voice heavy with disillusionment.
“But after sending out hundreds of applications without a single call back, I feel invisible — like I’ve failed both my family and myself.”
With lakhs of students graduating each year, the number of government job openings has dwindled. The private sector, still in its infancy in the region, offers few alternatives. Youth empowerment schemes and promises of fast-track recruitment remain largely unfulfilled, leaving a generation caught between policy promises and a stark reality.
“We’re told to educate ourselves, to dream big — but we were never told the lock doesn’t exist for the key we hold,” Aamir says.
“Our frustration is often misunderstood. We’re either labelled lazy or politicized. Nobody wants to hear the real story.”
Experts warn that the widening gap between government policy and ground-level implementation is not just disappointing — it’s dangerous. The psychological toll, along with growing economic despair, risks further alienating the region’s brightest minds.
As the weight of broken dreams continues to bear down, one reality becomes increasingly clear: without bold, honest, and urgent reforms, Jammu and Kashmir may lose an entire generation (KB)
