Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNS): Job aspirants in Jammu and Kashmir paid more than Rs 113 crore in application fees to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) over the three financial years from 2023-24 to 2025-26, while the two agencies conducted recruitment examinations for just 15,964 advertised posts during the period.
The figures, placed before the J&K Legislative Assembly, show that the two recruiting bodies received over 21.12 lakh applications during the three-year period, with around 11.24 lakh candidates appearing in the examinations.
The data was furnished by the government in response to Question raised by MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para.
Of the total fee collected, the JKPSC accounted for Rs 24.42 crore, while the JKSSB collected Rs 89.49 crore, according to the government reply.
The figures also show a substantial variation in the number of applications and fee collections across the three years, particularly in the case of the JKSSB.
The JKPSC conducted 103 examinations for 2,586 posts during 2023-24. It received 88,964 applications, of which 63,919 candidates appeared, generating Rs 7.39 crore in application fees.
In 2024-25, the Commission conducted 49 examinations for 618 posts. A total of 58,341 applications were received and 33,153 candidates appeared, while fee collections rose to Rs 10.50 crore.
During 2025-26, the JKPSC conducted 64 examinations for 1,400 posts, receiving 1,15,523 applications. Of these, 78,166 candidates appeared, with the Commission collecting Rs 5.74 crore in fees.
The government data as per Kashmir News Service further shows that the JKPSC had 38 examinations pending during the period covered by the reply, involving Rs 28.76 lakh in fees already collected.
The JKSSB collected the larger share of the total amount, receiving Rs 89.49 crore over the three years.
In 2023-24, the Board conducted 17 examinations for 4,228 posts. It received 6,99,261 applications, while 3,44,264 candidates appeared. The fee collection stood at Rs 6.76 crore.
The number of applications increased sharply in 2024-25, when the Board received 7,99,523 applications for 5,044 posts. Of these, 4,36,714 candidates appeared in 26 examinations, generating Rs 23.46 crore in fees.
In 2025-26, the Board conducted 81 examinations for 1,731 posts and received 3,37,272 applications. A total of 1,57,799 candidates appeared, while fee collections jumped to Rs 59.26 crore.
The refundable amount stood at Rs 13.69 lakh in 2024-25 and Rs 1.22 crore in 2025-26, while no refundable amount was shown for 2023-24.
The government said application fees are refunded when posts are formally withdrawn by the concerned indenting department.
A postponement of an examination, by itself, does not make the fee refundable, as the recruitment process remains in progress and the examination is subsequently rescheduled, it said.
The JKSSB reported nine postponed examinations in 2024-25 and three in 2025-26. The government said examinations deferred due to emergent circumstances, including adverse weather, were later rescheduled and conducted.
The JKPSC data also points to a number of recruitment examinations that remained pending during the period.
In 2023-24, two examinations involving Rs 7.57 lakh in collected fees remained pending. The number increased to 32 examinations involving Rs 13.50 lakh in 2025-26.
For the period from April 1, 2026, until the date of the Assembly reply, the Commission conducted 29 examinations for 357 posts, attracting 13,237 applications. Of these, 10,570 candidates appeared, generating Rs 77.90 lakh in fees.
Four examinations remained pending during this period, involving Rs 7.67 lakh in fees.
The Commission reported one examination cancelled or postponed during 2025-26. No examination was reported as cancelled or postponed during 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Among the withdrawn posts was one post of Superintendent Jail in the Home Department, which was withdrawn through Notification No. 01-PSC (DR-P) of 2026 dated January 16, 2026.
The post had attracted 148 applications, resulting in collection of Rs 1.48 lakh in application fees.
The government said the JKPSC, with assistance from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), is developing an online refund mechanism to process refunds arising from withdrawal of posts and multiple payments.
The system, according to the reply, is expected to become operational shortly.
The J&K PSC Conduct of Examination Rules, 2022 already provide for refunds in specified circumstances, including the death of a candidate before appearing in an examination, multiple fee payments and withdrawal of posts by the concerned indenting department.(KNS)
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