Jammu and Kashmir Government Reports Collecting Rs 114 Crore in Job Application Fees Over Three Years
- Application Fee Collection: The JKSSB and JKPSC collected a combined total of Rs 114 crore across the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 financial years from candidates applying for government posts.
- Sharp Decline in Posts: The number of advertised posts by agencies like the Public Service Commission dropped significantly from 2,586 in 2023-24 down to 357 in the latest financial year.
- Massive Candidate Turnout: The JKSSB received over 1.83 million applications for 11,003 non-gazetted posts, though only about half of the registered candidates actually appeared for the examinations.
- Political Criticism: Opposition legislators sharply criticized the recruitment process, accusing agencies of acting as money-minting machines while stalling employment and leaving key positions vacant.
The Context & Background
The disclosure came during the ongoing autumn session of the J&K Assembly in response to a question raised by PDP legislator Waheed Para. Concerns were raised over delayed examinations, sold papers, and the lack of permanent leadership in recruitment agencies, prompting discussions on online fee refund mechanisms for withdrawn posts.
Why it matters:This report highlights the financial burden placed on unemployed youth through steep application fees amid dwindling government job openings. The controversy underscores systemic challenges in public sector recruitment, raising crucial questions about administrative accountability and employment transparency in the region.
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