By Dr. Mushtaq Rather

The twin objectives of acquiring education in the current circumstances are to transform the life of the individual so that they can constructively and meaningfully contribute to society, and to secure a reasonable means of livelihood to support their family and remain content with their life. But how is it possible for public sector enterprises to absorb all the educated people? This issue is exacerbated by the fragile private sector in our region, which employs only a small section of the educated population. The scant remuneration it offers further adds to the woes and sufferings of the unemployed educated class.

The educated youth pursue academic courses of the highest order, whether it be a PhD or a PDF, with the hope of acquiring a reasonable livelihood to safeguard their families and become a source of inspiration for future generations. However, the dejection, despair, and hopelessness experienced by the unemployed youth in the current era might demotivate the current and upcoming generations in the years to come.

Rising Unemployment Among Educated Masses

The government sector can only accommodate a handful of people. Even for limited vacancies, the competition is fierce, and candidates are directly involved in cutthroat competition where the margin for error is extremely narrow. Jammu and Kashmir (UT) ranks at the top of the list in terms of the highest unemployment rate in the country. A key issue for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir is their tendency to pursue limited career options, sticking to courses that are already saturated, which only worsens the situation. Many courses that were once progressive and relevant two decades ago have lost their relevance in the current, evolving job market. Unfortunately, these courses are still considered viable career options, leading to a large number of aspirants pursuing them without considering whether they will lead to meaningful employment.

Our colleges and universities are still offering........

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