Litigation in recruitment examinations has become a new normal in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving youth in a state of despair. It is the only place in the country that has a backlog of examinations notified as far back as 16 years ago.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has an unemployment rate of 6.1 per cent in 2025, which is higher than the national average of 5.2 per cent, along with a youth population of 69 per cent, which is largely dependent on the government sector due to the scarcity of private-sector employment in the UT. Over the past five years, recruitment examinations notified by JKSSB and JKPSC are yet to be completed, and nearly 80 per cent of these examinations are facing legal battles in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and various tribunals.

This litigation culture has created an atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and anxiety among students in the UT. On the other hand, courts in J&K are already facing a massive backlog of cases—around 3.38 lakh—which has made it nearly impossible for students to obtain timely........

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