Jammu & Kashmir today stands at a delicate socio-economic crossroads where unemployment—particularly among educated youth—has assumed the proportions of a serious crisis. This challenge is no longer confined to the mere absence of jobs; it has evolved into a multidimensional problem deeply intertwined with young people’s confidence, their perception of the future, and their faith in the governing system. In such circumstances, when young men and women spend years acquiring education, preparing for competitive examinations, and waiting endlessly for government recruitment processes, the repeated reappointment of retired government employees inevitably breeds frustration, anxiety, and a profound sense of injustice.
UNEMPLOYMENT: A SILENT BUT DEEPENING CRISIS
The unemployment rate in Jammu & Kashmir has consistently remained higher than the national average, with the youth bearing the brunt of this imbalance. Highly educated individuals—engineers, postgraduates, PhD scholars, and professionally skilled candidates—are today compelled to move from one opportunity to another in search of stable employment. Government recruitment processes are either painfully slow or repeatedly stalled due to administrative, legal, or procedural complications.
The frequent cancellation of examinations, abnormal delays in declaring results, questions over the credibility of recruitment agencies, and a visible lack of transparency have caused deep damage to the trust young people once placed in institutional mechanisms. A youth who dedicates years to preparing for a single examination, only to face repeated systemic failures, naturally develops feelings of despair, anger, and alienation. Over time, this alienation becomes not just personal, but collective.
UNEMPLOYMENT: MORE THAN AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM
It would be a grave mistake to view unemployment merely as an economic issue. In reality, it is a deeply rooted social crisis that affects families, social cohesion, and overall stability. Unemployed youth struggle not only with financial insecurity but also with social pressure, psychological stress, and a persistent sense of inadequacy.
In a sensitive region like Jammu & Kashmir—where young people have already grown up amid political uncertainty, prolonged conflict, and limited opportunities—the consequences of unemployment are far more severe. When youth begin to feel disconnected from the system and excluded from its priorities, this disconnect becomes a warning sign for society as a whole. Social alienation, if left unaddressed, erodes trust and weakens the foundations of long-term peace and stability.
REAPPOINMENT OF RETIRED EMPLOYEES: A CONTRAVERSIAL TREND
Against this fragile backdrop, the repeated reappointment of retired officers in various departments and high offices raises serious concerns. Over recent years, a growing list of retired officials has been appointed as advisors, Officers on Special Duty (OSDs), consultants, or special appointees.
Whether it was the earlier appointment of Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rader or the more recent induction of Bashir Ahmad as OSD to the Speaker, such decisions are not merely administrative in nature—they carry strong symbolic weight. They send an unmistakable message to unemployed youth: that the system prefers familiar faces and past hierarchies over investing in fresh talent, new ideas, and youthful energy.
EXPERIENCE VS OPPORTUNITY: THE CORE QUESTION
There is no denying the value of experience. Institutional memory and professional expertise are assets for any administration. However, the real question is not whether retired officers are competent, but whether opportunities for the younger generation should be routinely sacrificed in the name of experience.
When a retired officer occupies a significant post once again, it effectively closes the door on a younger professional who may be equally qualified, more adaptable to contemporary challenges, and capable of serving institutions over a longer horizon. This practice not only blocks career pathways but also hampers institutional evolution, creating a stagnant cycle where leadership renewal and innovation are perpetually deferred.
PUBLIC MANDATE AND GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES
In a democracy, people grant governments a mandate to address public concerns, generate employment, uphold justice, and empower future generations. Youth represent the backbone and future of any society. Ignoring them is, in essence, ignoring the future itself.
When the public observes that thousands of sanctioned posts remain vacant while recruitment processes drag on indefinitely—yet retired individuals receive swift appointments—it is natural to question whether the public mandate is being used in the right direction. Such decisions weaken democratic trust and reinforce the perception that governance prioritizes convenience for a select few over fairness for the many.
GROWING YOUTH ALIENATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
The rising sense of deprivation among youth is an alarming trend. When young individuals feel their education, hard work, and merit are undervalued, disillusionment with the system becomes inevitable. This disillusionment does not remain confined to individuals; it gradually transforms into collective resentment.
This resentment may manifest in different forms—out-migration in search of opportunities, mental health challenges, or social unrest. In a region like Jammu & Kashmir, where social stability already rests on a fragile balance, such outcomes carry long-term and far-reaching consequences.
YOUTH: NOT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SOLUTION
It must be stated unequivocally: the youth of Jammu & Kashmir are not part of the problem—they are the solution. They possess talent, energy, creativity, and knowledge aligned with modern demands. Given the right opportunities, they can play a transformative role in administration, the economy, education, healthcare, technology, and governance.
Global experience clearly demonstrates that societies which include youth in leadership and decision-making progress rapidly. Conversely, societies that systematically marginalize their youth stagnate, breeding cynicism and decline.
THE NEED FOR POLICY-LEVEL REFORMS
The situation demands serious introspection and decisive action from policymakers. Cosmetic measures or ad-hoc appointments will not suffice. What is required is a coherent framework of reforms aimed at restoring confidence and ensuring fairness. Key steps must include:
Limiting the reappointment of retired employees strictly to exceptional circumstances
Establishing clear, transparent, and time-bound policies governing such appointments
Ensuring timely, credible, and transparent recruitment processes
Creating advisory, administrative, and decision-making roles specifically for youth
Making merit, competence, and performance the sole criteria—rather than proximity or familiarity
CONCLUSION:
RESTORING TRUST IS THE REAL CHALLENGE
The rising unemployment crisis and repeated reappointment of retired officials in Jammu & Kashmir are not isolated administrative decisions; they are deeply connected to the future of youth, social stability, and public trust. If governments genuinely claim to stand with young people, this commitment must be reflected not merely in speeches, but in policies and actions.
The youth are not asking for charity.
They are asking for opportunity—equal, fair, and dignified.
For a responsible, accountable, and people-centric government, ignoring this demand is neither sustainable nor justifiable.
The author is a political analyst, national TV debater, and columnist. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at ahmadayaz08@gmail.com
