A government baseline survey conducted under Mission YUVA has identified 4.73 lakh people in Kashmir who are willing to work but remain without employment, highlighting the severe unemployment crisis facing the region's conflict generation. The survey underscores a growing sense of hopelessness as even the promise of government jobs fades, with outsourcing becoming a dominant employment model.
Survey Reveals Stark Unemployment Figures
The baseline survey, part of the Mission YUVA initiative aimed at youth empowerment, found that a significant portion of the working-age population in Kashmir is jobless despite being ready to take up employment. The 4.73 lakh figure represents individuals who have expressed willingness to work but have not been able to secure jobs, reflecting structural challenges in the local economy.
According to officials familiar with the survey data, the unemployment rate in Kashmir has been exacerbated by the shrinking of the public sector workforce and the increasing reliance on outsourcing for essential services. This shift has particularly affected the conflict generation—young people who have grown up amid political instability and violence—who traditionally viewed government jobs as a stable career path.
Outsourcing Deepens Sense of Despair
The trend towards outsourcing government functions has been cited as a key factor in the erosion of job prospects. Many young Kashmiris now find themselves working on temporary or contractual terms, without the security and benefits of permanent government positions. This has led to a deepening sense of hopelessness, as the promise of a secure government job—once a cornerstone of aspirations in the region—becomes increasingly elusive.
"The outsourcing model is creating a class of precarious workers," said a local economist familiar with the survey. "It undermines the long-held expectation of stable employment and contributes to social frustration." The survey data aligns with anecdotal evidence from across the valley, where educated youth often face long waits for government vacancies or settle for low-paying private sector roles.
Impact on Conflict Generation
The conflict generation in Kashmir has been disproportionately affected by the unemployment crisis. Having grown up during periods of militancy, curfews, and political turmoil, this demographic already faces significant psychological and social challenges. The lack of meaningful employment opportunities exacerbates feelings of marginalization and despair.
"For many young people, the inability to find a job, especially a government job, reinforces a sense of being left behind," said a social worker based in Srinagar. "The survey numbers confirm what we see on the ground: a generation struggling to find its footing."
The survey also noted that the unemployment problem is not uniform across the region, with rural areas facing more acute challenges compared to urban centers. However, even in cities like Srinagar, competition for government jobs remains fierce, with thousands of applicants for a handful of positions.
Mission YUVA and Policy Response
Mission YUVA was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to address youth unemployment through skill development, entrepreneurship support, and job creation. The baseline survey is part of an effort to map the scale of the problem and design targeted interventions. However, critics argue that the mission's focus on outsourcing and private sector partnerships may not address the deep-seated expectations for government employment.
"The government needs to rethink its approach," said a political analyst. "Outsourcing may offer temporary relief, but it does not provide the stability that the conflict generation craves. Without a robust public sector hiring plan, the sense of hopelessness will persist."
As of June 2026, the administration has not announced any major changes to its employment policy in response to the survey findings. The 4.73 lakh figure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead for a region still recovering from decades of conflict.
