KS News Desk
Jammu, Mar 10: Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that they facilitated employment opportunities for 4,893 skilled and unskilled youth through job fairs conducted across the Union Territory in the past two years.
The government further informed that as of January 2025, over 3.70 lakh unemployed youth have been registered on the employment portal.
The in-charge minister in a written reply said that from 2022-23 to February 2025, 246 job fairs were conducted, 2,760 companies participated, and 1,36,200 job seekers registered themselves during these events.
"Out of them, 39,782 candidates were shortlisted for second-round counseling, while 4,893 youth secured on-spot employment," the government reply reads.
It further reads that in 2022-23, the department organised 84 job fairs with the participation of 878 companies and 45,447 job seekers. "As a result, 14,014 candidates were shortlisted, while 1,761 job seekers got on-spot placements, and 2,978 youth were recommended for skill training," the reply reads.
In the subsequent year, the government increased the outreach, conducting 106 job fairs, engaging 1,412 companies and 72,175 job seekers.
"This resulted in 20,754 candidates being shortlisted, 1,902 getting on-spot placements, and 2,807 being recommended for skill training," the reply reads.
For the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25 (up to February 2025), 56 job fairs were held, 470 companies participated, and 18,578 job seekers registered.
"Among them, 5,014 were shortlisted, while 1,230 candidates secured on-spot placements. Additionally, 855 youth were recommended for skill training."
Replying to a question by MLA Sham Lal Sharma, minister in charge said that it intends to devise a policy focused on job creation in the private sector through multiple schemes and initiatives designed to enhance employment opportunities for the youth.
He said that the registration of unemployed educated youth on the Employment Portal is a voluntary process, allowing job seekers to avail of self-employment schemes and job opportunities provided by various departments.
"As of January 2025, 3,70,811 unemployed youth have been registered on portal". Additionally, as part of a baseline survey, the government said that 4.73 lakh individuals, within the 18-60 age group, have reported being "not working but willing to work" across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. “As Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,” he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.
Arshid Ahmad Malikmalik121arshid@gmail.comThe serene valley of Pahalgam known for its breathtaking landscapes,was shaken to its core by a brutal and inhuman attack that claimed innocent lives and left the nation in shock.On 22 April 2025 afternoon,a group of terrorists in Pahalgam,J&K leaving 26 tourists dead and many more injured.The attack was widely condemned by people across the country with many leaders and citizens expressing their outrage and grief.Even just after the attack the people from every nook and corner of Kashmir mourned and strongly condemned this brutal and inhuman act and we saw candlelight protests from different places of Kashmir in solidarity with the victim families who lost their loved ones in this Coward Act.Besides, we saw some heartwarming stories of Kashmiris helping tourists during this horrific attack.Some Kashmiri Youth took the initiative to help tourists, providing them with medical care and transportation to safe areas.Their actions showed that even in times of crisis,there are individuals who prioritize humanity over adversity.Likewise, Aadil Hussain Shah a pony rider and a sole breadwinner in his home lost his life while attempting to protect tourists by tackling gun men.Another example of bravery was demonstrated by a Kashmiri shawl vendor, Sajad Ahmad Bhat who risked his life to help injured tourists.He carried some to safety on his back and provided water to those in need.Moreover,taxi drivers and hotel owners offered free rides and services to tourists, guiding them to safety.These acts highlights Kashmiri community's commitment to humanity, hospitality and unity even in the face of adversity.These acts of kindness serve as a powerful counter-narrative to the misconception that Kashmiris support to condone violence.Instead, they highlight the community's resilience, empathy and dedication to peace.In the aftermath of this excruciating attack, certain media outlets of our nation,often referred to as "Godi Media" left no stone unturned to sensationalize the stories to grab the attention.They often spread misinformation and promote biased narratives leading to polarization and erosion of trust in the media.In the wake of this attack "Godi Media" claimed that the terrorists selectively targeted Hindus after checking their names.However,the list of victims revealed that 15 out of 26 killed were Muslims, debunking this false narrative.By spreading this unverified claims,these TV Channels aimed to fuel communal tensions and polarization, which could lead to further violence and hatred.This behaviour aligns with a disturbing trend where sections of the media amplify divisive narratives to serve political agendas.Although the tourists who were here and witnessed this attack themselves praised local Kashmiris for their heroic approach in helping them to save their lives.Moreover, the tourists in different parts of the valley are claiming that they are safe and secure.They wanted to convey the message to other parts of India that there is nothing like that which godi media is trying to show through different news channels.They are just spreading misinformation leading to communal violence in the nation.On the next day of this attack,one of the TV Channel of godi media, ABP news anchor Chitra Tripathi faced protests at Ghantaghar Lal chowk after locals said that she was trying to spread fake news about the attack.The protestors including tourism groups,lawyers and civil society members criticized the media particularly for its emphasis on communal issues rather than holding the government accountable.The protests saw slogans condemning terrorism and advocating for Hindu-Muslim unity.The protestors also expressed frustration over the media's selective reporting and the censorship of local voices.From common people to the leaders of the Government in Kashmir, everyone slammed "Godi Media" and hold their anchors responsible for communal disharmony in the nation.With their biased and inflammatory coverage, Kashmiris living across India especially students have been heckled,harrased and faced threats by far-right Hindu groups or even their classmates.From Uttarakhand, Punjab, to Uttar Pradesh, landlords are pushing Kashmiri tenants out; and shopkeepers are refusing to trade with them.Several Kashmiri students are sleeping at airports as they try to make their way home.However,It's essential to hold such media outlets accountable for their actions and promote responsible journalism that prioritizes fact-checking, balance, and accuracy.By doing so, we can work towards creating a more informed and compassionate society where communal harmony and peace are valued.The author has done masters in Political Science from University of Kashmir and is currently a Socio-Political Activist and Chairperson of Liberal Youth Club Soibugh.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
Minamarg (Zojila), June 9: As engineers and workers celebrated a major breakthrough in the construction of the strategic Zojila Tunnel on Tuesday, one of the project's authority engineers revealed that he chose to remain at the site despite his family being in Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Yousuf Eshagpour Rahimabadi, a lead engineer with Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), said he has spent nearly five years overseeing critical engineering work on the ambitious all-weather tunnel project that will connect Kashmir with Ladakh throughout the year. "Of course I miss my home," Yousuf said. "My two children are in Iran. They were supposed to come to India, but because of the current situation they decided to stay there. They are standing with the people there, and I am standing here with this tunnel." The engineer, who joined the project since its inception, said nearly 80 per cent of the tunnel's physical work has been completed. He described the breakthrough as a major milestone achieved after more than 11.25 million man-hours of work without any casualty. The Zojila Tunnel, being constructed beneath one of the most challenging mountain ranges in the world, has confronted engineers with severe geological and climatic obstacles. According to Yousuf, the young and fragile Himalayan geology, combined with poor rock conditions and significant water ingress, repeatedly slowed excavation and construction. "The geological condition is very poor and there is a lot of water. This naturally made the process slower than what was originally envisaged," he added. Despite temperatures plunging to minus 35 degrees Celsius in the Minamarg sector, workers continued operations around the clock in two shifts. "We worked day and night. Difficulty comes, but we are engineers and our job is to solve problems," he said. While the tunnel breakthrough marks a significant engineering achievement, substantial work remains before the project becomes operational. Yousuf said ventilation systems, drainage works and tunnel lining are among the key tasks yet to be completed. "It will take another two to two-and-a-half years to finish the remaining work," Meanwhile, MEIL executive Suchika Joshi, who has been associated with the project through years of construction said the breakthrough represents the culmination of relentless effort under extreme conditions. "If you ask me about challenges, every second was a challenge," Joshi said. She recalled working through harsh winters, heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures that often dropped below minus 30 degrees Celsius. The project, she said, demanded extraordinary commitment from engineers, designers, workers and management teams. "I don't think our engineers, directors and design teams slept properly when this project started. What you see today is the result of countless sleepless nights," she said. Joshi said difficult terrain, unpredictable weather and repeated machinery-related challenges forced teams to constantly adapt their plans and methods. "Sometimes there were things that nobody knew would emerge. Only time revealed those challenges, and the company had to respond to them," she said. She credited the project's progress to coordination between MEIL, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), consultants and government agencies. Beyond its engineering significance, Joshi said the tunnel is expected to transform connectivity to Ladakh, which remains cut off by heavy snowfall for several months every year. Once completed, it will provide year-round road access between Srinagar and Leh and significantly enhance military mobility in the strategically sensitive region bordering both China and Pakistan "This is not just a tunnel. "It is important for the country's security, for the Army and for the people of Ladakh who often remain disconnected during winter months," Joshi added. Although the breakthrough allows excavation from both ends to meet, the tunnel is not yet ready for public traffic. Officials said extensive finishing work, including concrete lining and installation of operational systems, must be completed before the tunnel can be opened. "We are trying to deliver it to the nation as soon as possible," Joshi said. She added that that progress would continue. "But it also depends on weather conditions in the high-altitude region.
Srinagar, June 2: In a significant humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable sections of society, MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana distributed over 500 kitchen kits in collaboration with Orphans In Need NGO among widows from Amb Gharota and Mathwar Blocks of Nagrota Assembly Constituency. The initiative brought much-needed relief to hundreds of deserving families and was widely appreciated by local residents and beneficiaries alike. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana praised the dedicated efforts of Orphans in Need for their unwavering commitment towards the welfare of widows, orphans, and economically weaker families. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organization for extending timely support to vulnerable households. “The distribution of kitchen kits is not merely an act of charity but a reflection of compassion, humanity, and social responsibility. Widows often face numerous socio-economic challenges, and such initiatives provide both material support and emotional encouragement. I sincerely appreciate Orphans in Need for reaching out to these deserving families and standing by them in their time of need,” she said. Highlighting the importance of collective social responsibility, the MLA stated that the true strength of a society is reflected in how it treats its most vulnerable members. She noted that organizations like Orphans in Need are playing a vital role in complementing government efforts by supporting those who need assistance the most. “The dedication shown by social organizations towards public welfare deserves the highest appreciation. Collective efforts by NGOs, public representatives, and community leaders can significantly improve the lives of economically weaker sections and help build a more inclusive and compassionate society,” Devyani Rana added. Reaffirming her commitment to public welfare, she assured the people of Nagrota that every possible effort would continue to be made towards empowering women, widows, orphans, and marginalized communities. Speaking during the programme, Sheikh Reyaz, Managing Director of Orphans in Need J&K, reiterated the organization’s commitment to serving underprivileged sections of society. “Orphans in Need has always believed in extending support to those who require it the most. Widows and economically weaker families often face immense hardships in meeting their daily household needs. Through this initiative, we aim to bring relief and dignity to these families. We are grateful to MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana for her support in making this programme successful. Our organization will continue to work tirelessly for the welfare and empowerment of vulnerable sections across Jammu & Kashmir,” he said. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents and beneficiaries, who expressed gratitude for the timely assistance and humanitarian support.
Baramulla, May 31: The first blast for the 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II Hydro Electric Project was successfully carried out on Sunday, marking the beginning of major construction works and a significant milestone for Jammu and Kashmir's power sector. The project, being developed by NHPC Limited in Baramulla district, is estimated to cost ₹2,708.95 crore. The run-of-river scheme will utilize the tail water of the existing Uri-I Hydro Electric Project and is expected to generate around 932.60 million units of clean energy annually. The project will have an installed capacity of 240 MW through two units of 120 MW each and will feature an underground powerhouse on the left bank of the Jhelum River. Officials said the project is expected to strengthen energy security in the region, boost clean power generation, and create substantial employment opportunities during the construction phase. The successful first blast signals the beginning of heavy civil works for the ambitious hydropower project. The Uri-I Stage-II project, being developed by NHPC on the Jhelum River in Baramulla district, is an extension of the existing Uri-I Hydroelectric Project.
