Jammu, Feb 10: The University of Jammu has come under sharp criticism after issuing a recruitment notification that prescribes an application fee of ₹2,150 for various teaching and non-teaching posts, a move that has triggered concern among aspirants and civil society, especially at a time when unemployment continues to challenge the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the advertisement notification issued by the University of Jammu, applications have been invited for multiple posts including Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Professors, Librarian positions, and other academic roles across different departments. While the recruitment drive aims to fill long-pending vacancies and strengthen academic infrastructure, the high application fee has emerged as a major point of contention.
According to the notification, candidates belonging to the Open Merit category are required to pay ₹2,150 per application, while reserved category candidates are charged a comparatively lower fee. Aspirants argue that the amount is excessive, particularly for unemployed youth who often apply for multiple posts and institutions, making the cumulative financial burden substantial.
At a time when thousands of educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir are struggling with job scarcity, many have termed the fee structure as insensitive and exclusionary, stating that higher education institutions should act as facilitators rather than barriers in the employment process. Several applicants pointed out that public universities, funded substantially through government support, must ensure affordability and equal opportunity.
Social media platforms have witnessed growing outrage, with demands pouring in for an immediate rollback of the fee. Critics have urged the University of Jammu administration to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest, stressing that education institutions carry a moral responsibility towards students and job seekers.
The issue has also been flagged to the highest levels of the UT leadership, with calls for intervention from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir government to review the fee structure and ensure that recruitment processes remain fair and accessible.
Educationists believe that while universities require funds for administrative processes, imposing such a steep application fee risks discouraging deserving candidates and undermines the objective of inclusive education and employment.
So far, the University of Jammu has not issued an official clarification or response to the criticism. Aspirants, meanwhile, continue to demand an urgent rollback of the application fee, hoping for timely relief from what they describe as an added burden on already distressed youth.
