Graduate numbers in J&K colleges fall by over 22%: Govt

Srinagar, Sep 30: Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have seen a steep decline in graduate numbers by over 22 percent in the past three academic years.
The government in a reply to the question tabled by Arjun Singh Raju said that in academic session 2023-24, there were a total of 23,655 graduates in J&K colleges.
The government also informed the house that in session 2024-25, the number of graduates in J&K colleges reduced to 21,153 graduates and 18,312 in the academic year 2025-26 respectively.
The figures reveal that in Jammu, the graduates shrink from 5,930 in 2023-24 to 4,206 in 2024-25 and 3,906 in 2025-26 respectively.
The house was further informed that in Srinagar, the number of graduates reduced from 4,190 in 2023-24 to 4,002 in 2024-25 and 3,352 in 2025-26 respectively.
It also said that the other districts including Rajouri Udhampur, Kulgam and Doda registered more than a one-third decline in total graduates over three years.
The government further informed that house that at present, no consolidated course-wise employability rate of graduates from Government Degree Colleges, Universities and Cluster Universities of Jammu & Kashmir is available in standardized form.
“The employability of graduates varies across courses and institutions and is also dependent upon further education, competitive examinations, skill acquisition and employment opportunities in the relevant sectors,” the government said.
It also said that there was no comprehensive formal assessment or survey covering employment outcomes, placement rates, average salary packages and sector wise absorption of graduates from all Degree Colleges, Universities and Cluster Universities of Jammu & Kashmir have been conducted and compiled in a uniform manner so far.
“However, the Department is in the process of devising a comprehensive policy framework for systematic assessment and monitoring of graduate employability and employment outcomes, including placement rates, sector-wise absorption, skill requirements and other relevant indicators,” the government informed the house. (KNO)