A total of 3,61 lakh educated unemployed youth are registered with employment exchanges across Jammu and Kashmir, the government said on Tuesday.

The government told the Legislative Assembly that 3,61,146 educated unemployed youth were registered with employment exchanges across J&K as of September 2025, and urged that Mission Yuva, which aims to establish 1.37 lakh entrepreneurship units, is expected to generate about 4.25 lakh job opportunities.

The figures, placed on the floor of the House in response to a starred question by BJP MLA from Chenani Balwant Singh Mankotia, show 2,33,845 males and 1,27,301 females registered as job seekers.

The Kashmir division accounts for 2,08,659 of the total and Jammu division 1,52,487.

The district-wise breakup for Kashmir division is Srinagar with 14,092 males and 9734 females (total 23,826); Ganderbal with 11,371 males and 5,809 females (total 17,180); Budgam with 12,009 males and 4,650 females (total 16,659); Anantnag with 18,244 males and 14,054 females (total 32,298); Kulgam with 14,967 males and 6479 females (total 21,446); Pulwama with 18,591 males and 10,080 females (total 28,671); Shopian with 11,171 males and 7416 females (total 18,587); Baramulla with 13,081 males and 6474 females (total 19,555); Bandipora with 6691 males and 4385 females (total 11,076); Kupwara with 14,254 males and 5107 females (total 19,361).

The Kashmir division total stands at 1,34,471 males and 74,188 females (2,08,659).

The district-wise breakup for Jammu division is Jammu with 8862 males and 7287 females (total 16,149); Samba with 10,045 males and 7413 females (total 17,458); Kathua with 16,994 males and 9804 females (total 26,798); Kishtwar with 6413 males and 2457 females (total 8,870); Doda with 9570 males and 3562 females (total 13,196); Rajouri with 10,917 males and 4726 females (total 15,643); Reasi with 8120 males and 4256 females (total 12,376); Udhampur with 6,338 males and 5267 females (total 11,605); Ramban with 11,139 males and 2743 females (total 13,882); Poonch with 10,976 males and 5534 females (total 16,510).

The Jammu division total is 99,374 males and 53,113 females (1,52,487).

In its written reply, the Employment Department said the government remains committed to creating five lakh jobs in five years, but has placed emphasis on self-employment and entrepreneurship.

The department said that Mission Yuva is designed to set up 1.37 lakh entrepreneurship units that would generate approximately 4.25 lakh jobs, thereby offering employment through self-employment schemes, skill development, counseling, and placement assistance.

The department said that it registers job seekers, organises placement drives and job fairs, runs district employment and counselling centres, and coordinates with skill and industry departments to improve employability.

The government said existing initiatives like Mission Youth and PMEGP would be used alongside Mission Yuva to promote livelihood opportunities, but acknowledged that direct recruitment in public and private sectors remains limited, particularly in south Kashmir districts where registered job-seeker numbers are highest.