Overwhelming Rush for J&K Constable Exams: 5.5 Lakh Aspirants Eye 4000 Vacancies Amid Rising Unemployment.
Chief Secretary reviews arrangements in a high Level meeting.
||Black and White Digital News||
||November 30, 2024||
Srinagar: A staggering 5,59,135 candidates are set to compete for just 4002 constable vacancies in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the alarming unemployment crisis gripping the region. This unprecedented surge of applicants for a limited number of posts underlines the critical need for sustainable job opportunities in the Union Territory.
On Friday, the Chief Secretary chaired a crucial meeting with top officials from the Civil Administration and the Police Department to review the preparations for the examinations, which are scheduled to be conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Recruitment Board (JKSSRB). Stressing the need for a seamless process, he directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure adequate deployment of staff, including observers, supervisors, invigilators, and other personnel.
The Chief Secretary urged Deputy Commissioners to personally oversee the arrangements by visiting as many exam centers as possible. He also instructed district administrations to form monitoring teams under senior officers to inspect all examination venues.
Examination Details
Chairperson of the JKSSRB provided an overview of the colossal logistical effort required to manage these exams. She revealed that the exams will be conducted in three phases:
1. Constable (Executive/Armed/SDRF): Scheduled for 1st December, this phase will see 2,62,863 candidates competing at 856 exam centers across the Union Territory. Jammu district alone will host 54,296 aspirants, the highest across all districts.
2. Constable (Telecommunication): To be held on 8th December, it will witness 1,67,609 candidates vying for the posts.
3. Constable (Photographer): The final phase, slated for 22nd December, will see 1,28,663 candidates appearing for the exam.
The monumental task of managing these examinations underscores the authorities’ commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness amidst intense competition.
Unemployment Crisis in Focus:
The overwhelming response to these vacancies sheds light on a deep-seated unemployment crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. The ratio of applicants to vacancies—nearly 140 aspirants competing for each post—serves as a grim reminder of the region’s economic challenges. For many, securing a government job represents not just a stable income but also a chance to uplift their families from financial insecurity.
The Chief Secretary’s emphasis on robust arrangements and a fair selection process reflects the administration’s acknowledgment of the aspirants’ desperation and hope. However, the sheer volume of applicants raises pressing questions about the adequacy of current employment opportunities in addressing the needs of the region’s youth.
A Call for Comprehensive Solutions:
While the constable recruitment drive offers temporary relief to a handful of successful candidates, it also exposes the urgent need for long-term solutions to tackle unemployment. Experts have called for sustained investments in skill development, entrepreneurship, and industry growth to create a diversified job market in the Union Territory.
As the examination dates draw closer, the administration’s ability to conduct these large-scale exams smoothly will be closely monitored. For the lakhs of aspirants pinning their hopes on these tests, the stakes couldn’t be higher—a testament to the unrelenting demand for jobs in a region yearning for economic stability and growth.
