Srinagar, Sep 21: As many as 40,672 vacant posts are available under the direct recruitment quota across various departments of Jammu and Kashmir, with Health and Medical Education accounting for the highest number of vacancies, the government has informed the Legislative Assembly.
The figures were provided by the government regarding department-wise vacancies, posts referred to recruiting agencies and the status of recruitment examinations.
According to the government figures, a total of 40,672 vacancies under the direct recruitment quota comprise 3,318 Gazetted, 24,427 Non-Gazetted and 12,927 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) posts.
The Health and Medical Education Department has the highest number of vacancies at 12,797, including 2,125 Gazetted, 8,064 Non-Gazetted and 2,608 MTS posts.
It is followed by the Agriculture Production (Animal/Sheep Husbandry and Horticulture) Department with 4,939 vacancies, comprising 84 Gazetted, 1,925 Non-Gazetted and 2,930 MTS posts.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has 2,741 vacancies, including 30 Gazetted, 801 Non-Gazetted and 1,910 MTS posts, while the Power Development Department has 2,415 vacancies—42 Gazetted, 953 Non-Gazetted and 1,420 MTS.
The Public Works (R&B) Department has 2,190 vacant posts, including 770 Non-Gazetted and 1,420 MTS positions. Forest, Ecology and Environment has 1,942 vacancies, while Finance has 1,829 and Industries and Commerce 1,787.
On recruitment delays, the government said 147 posts under J&K PSC have selection processes delayed, with candidates awaiting clarification regarding equivalence of degrees, nomenclature of posts and availability of syllabi. Some selections are also stalled because cases are pending before courts.
The government further stated that 169 written examinations were conducted by JKSSB during the last five years, while 40 examinations were delayed, cancelled or rescheduled from 2022 to 2026. These examinations were subsequently conducted.
It said both recruiting agencies have introduced examination calendars to facilitate systematic planning and timely conduct of recruitment examinations.
The government maintained that measures are being taken to ensure vacancies are filled through a time-bound mechanism, including advance planning, monitoring of recruitment timelines, streamlining procedures and greater use of technology. It also said departments have been directed to refer vacancies falling under the direct recruitment quota to recruiting agencies under the applicable rules.
