Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): More than 21.12 lakh applications were received for recruitment examinations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) during the last three financial years, with 15,964 posts advertised, the Jammu and Kashmir government has said.
The government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), provided the details in a written reply to Question raised by MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para during the 6th Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly regarding recruitment examinations conducted by JKPSC, JKSSB and other recruiting agencies.
According to the reply of the government through the General Administration Department (GAD), Minister-in-Charge, JKPSC conducted 245 recruitment examinations involving 4,961 advertised posts, while JKSSB conducted 124 examinations involving 11,003 posts during the period covered by the data.
As per the details, JKPSC received 2,76,065 applications, of which 1,85,808 candidates appeared in the examinations. The commission collected Rs 24.42 crore in application fees.
During 2023-24, JKPSC conducted 103 examinations involving 2,586 advertised posts and received 89,864 applications, with 63,919 candidates appearing. The fee collected stood at Rs 7.39 crore.
In 2024-25, it conducted 49 examinations involving 618 posts, receiving 58,341 applications, of which 33,153 candidates appeared. The fee collected was Rs 10.50 crore.
During 2025-26, JKPSC conducted 64 examinations involving 1,400 posts, receiving 1,15,523 applications and recording 78,166 candidates appearing, while Rs 5.74 crore was collected as application fee.
For the period from April 1, 2026 till date, JKPSC conducted 29 examinations involving 357 posts, with 13,237 applications received and 10,570 candidates appearing. The fee collected during this period was Rs 77.90 lakh.
The reply further stated that JKSSB conducted 124 recruitment examinations involving 11,003 advertised posts, receiving 18,36,056 applications, of which 9,38,777 candidates appeared. The Board collected Rs 89.49 crore in application fees.
During 2023-24, JKSSB conducted 17 examinations involving 4,228 posts and received 6,99,261 applications, with 3,44,264 candidates appearing. The fee collected was Rs 6.76 crore.
In 2024-25, the Board conducted 26 examinations involving 5,044 posts and received 7,99,523 applications, of which 4,36,714 candidates appeared. It collected Rs 23.46 crore in fees.
During 2025-26, JKSSB conducted 81 examinations involving 1,731 posts, receiving 3,37,272 applications and recording 1,57,799 candidates appearing. The fee collected stood at Rs 59.26 crore.
The government said JKPSC had one recruitment examination cancelled/postponed during the period, while 38 examinations remained pending as per the data provided. JKSSB, meanwhile, had nine examinations postponed in 2024-25 and three in 2025-26; the reply noted that such examinations were rescheduled and conducted successfully.
On the issue of refund of application fees, the government said JKPSC, with the assistance of NIC, is devising an online mechanism for refund of fees in cases involving withdrawal of posts or multiple payments, and the mechanism is likely to become operational shortly.
The reply further stated that the J&K PSC Conduct of Examination Rules, 2022 contain provisions for refund of fee in case of the death of a candidate before appearing in an examination, multiple payments and withdrawal of posts by the indenting department.
Regarding JKSSB, the government said the Board had already refunded Rs 31.75 lakh. Refund of application fees is processed by the Board upon formal withdrawal of the concerned posts by the respective indenting department.
The government clarified that in cases where examinations have only been postponed, no refund is processed, as such examinations remain scheduled to be conducted at a future date and the recruitment process continues.
The JKPSC data also showed Rs 28.76 lakh collected in respect of recruitment examinations that were cancelled/postponed or remained pending.
The government further noted that one post of Superintendent Jail in the Home Department was withdrawn through Notification No. 01-PSC (DR-P) of 2026 dated January 16, 2026. A total of 148 applications had been received for the post, involving Rs 1.48 lakh in application fees—(KNO)