Over 24% posts vacant in SKUAST-K, 33% in SKUAST-J: Govt

By Younus Rashid
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05 Apr 2026

Srinagar, Apr 04: A significant number of posts remain vacant in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions, with over 24 percent vacancies in SKUAST-Kashmir and nearly 33 percent in SKUAST-Jammu, the government informed.

The figures were shared by the Minister Incharge Agriculture Production Department Javed Ahmad Dar in response to a query raised by MLA Chenani (Udhampur) Balwant Singh Mankotia.

As per the official data, SKUAST-Kashmir has a total of 2,373 sanctioned posts, including 540 teaching and 1,833 non-teaching positions. Of these, 1,785 posts have been filled - 424 in teaching and 1,361 in non-teaching categories leaving 588 posts vacant.

This translates to a vacancy rate of approximately 24.8 percent, with 21.5 percent vacancies in teaching posts and 25.7 percent in non-teaching posts.

Similarly, SKUAST-Jammu has 1,063 sanctioned posts, comprising 322 teaching and 741 non-teaching positions. Out of these, 710 posts are filled - 179 teaching and 531 non-teaching while 353 posts remain vacant. The overall vacancy rate stands at about 33.2 percent, including a notably higher 44.4 percent vacancy in teaching posts and 28.3 percent in non-teaching posts.

The data highlights a substantial staffing gap in both institutions, particularly in the teaching sector of SKUAST-Jammu, which could impact academic and research activities.

The MLA also sought details on the annual budget allocation and expenditure of SKUAST-Kashmir and SKUAST-Jammu over the past three years, including all Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to data shared by the minister, SKUAST-Kashmir was allocated a budget of Rs 31,147.21 lakh in 2022–23, of which Rs 30,133.02 lakh was utilised.

In 2023–24, the allocation stood at Rs 35,177.29 lakh, with Rs 32,115.57 lakh utilised. For 2024–25, the university was allocated Rs 45,334.04 lakh, out of which Rs 43,215.77 lakh was utilised.

Similarly, SKUAST-Jammu received a budget allocation of Rs 20,756.35 lakh in 2022–23, with an expenditure of Rs 19,673.77 lakh. In 2023–24, it was allocated Rs 26,369.84 lakh, of which Rs 20,670.50 lakh was utilised. For 2024–25, the allocation was Rs 32,407.54 lakh, while the expenditure stood at Rs 26,916.08 lakh.

The minister also highlighted several farmer welfare schemes under the Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and the Union Territory (UT) Capex Budget. These include schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), among others.