Srinagar, July 31, 2025 : The Jammu and Kashmir government’s recent advertisement for 621 posts in the Health and Medical Education Department has triggered strong opposition from open merit students, who have termed the recruitment process “unfair” and “biased.”
Health Minister Sakina Itoo announced the recruitment drive on X, stating it aligns with the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s vision to strengthen healthcare and generate employment for youth in the Union Territory.
According to the JKSSB notification, only 297 out of the 621 posts are marked for open merit, with the rest reserved under various categories, including Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
The Open Merit Students Association (OMSA) reacted sharply, accusing the government of sidelining general category aspirants.
“Keeping a mere 297 seats for open merit is not just unfair, it’s a denial of equal opportunity. This is another blow to deserving candidates,” OMSA said in a statement.
The group also raised concerns over the timing of the recruitment, pointing out that the reservation policy is currently under review. The J&K Cabinet had recently forwarded a report on reservation reforms to the Law Department for opinion, sparking expectations of a revised framework.
OMSA alleged that by pushing ahead with the notification, the government has “ignored the legal process” and “betrayed lakhs of aspirants” who were awaiting a more balanced, data-driven policy.
The association has demanded an immediate rollback of the recruitment notification and a halt to the process until the reservation review is finalized.
The controversy follows the 2024 decision by the UT administration to grant 10% reservation to the Pahari community, a move that further reduced open merit opportunities and remains a point of contention among students.
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