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This one example must tell us how the existing peace post-2019 in J&K has created a space where AMM KAAK KA BETA (son of a common man) can not only dream big but achieve it too. This year, we had 16 selections from J&K, and it is the highest number so far.
When a child is born in India, it does not take long before conversations around their future begin. Doctor, engineer, or civil servant, these remain the most sought-after paths, reflecting the deep-rooted aspiration for stability, respect, and service. Among them, the UPSC Civil Services, particularly the IAS and IPS, hold a unique stature. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for a handful of positions, making it one of the most prestigious and demanding examinations in the country. In regions like Jammu and Kashmir, this achievement carries an even deeper significance. Each success story resonates beyond the individual, inspiring communities that have long navigated complex challenges. While the region has produced several civil servants over the years, the turning point came in 2010 when Shah Faesal secured All India Rank 1. His success did not just mark a personal milestone; it transformed the perception of the examination across Kashmir, bringing it into the aspirations of an entire generation. In the years that followed, more young minds from J&K began to see the civil services as an achievable goal. This growing momentum is now reflected in the increasing number of selections each year. In this article, I explore how this shift took place, what is driving this rise, and how Jammu and Kashmir is steadily emerging as a strong contributor to India’s civil services.
The context of Kashmir’s past cannot be ignored while assessing its academic achievements. For years, the region witnessed frequent hartals, curfews, school closures, and disruptions that directly affected the education system. Despite these challenges, Jammu and Kashmir continued to produce a steady number of civil service qualifiers, often around six to seven selections annually. While this may appear modest in numbers, it carries far greater weight when viewed against the circumstances in which these achievements were made. Having closely observed students through various career counselling sessions, I believe that a strong academic foundation at the primary level is crucial for long-term success. In Kashmir, however, this foundation was often weakened due to prolonged interruptions in schooling. Frequent disruptions and, at times, mass promotions created gaps in learning that affected conceptual clarity in later years. Yet, what stands out is the resilience of students from the region. Despite these structural challenges, many have gone on to qualify prestigious examinations such as the IAS, IPS, and JKAS. This reflects not only individual determination but also the underlying academic potential of the region. It suggests that with a more stable and consistent environment, the outcomes could have been even more remarkable.
The Backdrop of Success in UPSC CSE for J&K in 2026
I firmly believe that sustained development follows stability. In recent years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a noticeable rise in the number of selections in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. This naturally raises an important question: what has changed, and what factors are driving this shift? To understand this, one must look at the contrast with the past. For years, the region experienced frequent disruptions that directly impacted academic life. Colleges and schools often remained shut for extended periods, academic calendars were irregular, and access to the internet was both limited and inconsistent. For an aspirant preparing for competitive examinations, this meant a constant break in rhythm, lack of continuity, and growing mental pressure. In such circumstances, students in Kashmir were not competing on equal footing with their counterparts in cities like Delhi or Bengaluru, where academic schedules and access to resources remained stable. While some students with financial means could move outside the region for better preparation, many others had to continue their journey within these constraints. The recent years, however, have marked a shift. With greater stability, regular academic calendars, and improved access to digital resources, students have been able to prepare with consistency and focus. This change, though gradual, has begun to reflect in outcomes, as more aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir are now finding their place in the final lists.
What Changed and How?
The post-2019 era in Kashmir saw peace. The students were able to follow their regular academic calendars. There was no internet disruption. There were no hartals. So, the regularity that was followed by the students created a rhythm in their minds and hence mental stability to continue their academic life. I am not going into the politics of August 2019; I am just narrating things that have a connection with the education system and hence student life, because I am a student too who has borne both the merits and demerits of the situations in Kashmir. To delve more deeply, we all know that South Kashmir has seen more hostility and vulnerable situations than North Kashmir, and to be more specific, Pulwama was always at the top. When the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 were declared in March 2026, a few days ago, Towseef Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Puchal village in Pulwama, became the first individual from Pulwama district to qualify for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Towseef, not being the son of some political elite, could not have managed to prepare outside Kashmir, as his father, Mohammad Ishaq Ganie, is a poor labourer. Is it not right to say that had the situation not been peaceful, Towseef would not have been able to do it, because he could not move out, have a stable internet connection, a peaceful environment, and, above all, mental stability? It is the same Pulwama where, pre-2019, one would often hear news of encounters or someone joining a terrorist organization. But today, the streets of Pulwama are echoing with voices of success, entrepreneurship, IAS, IPS, NEET, and more. This one example must tell us how the existing peace post-2019 in J&K has created a space where AMM KAAK KA BETA (son of a common man) can not only dream big but achieve it too. This year, we had 16 selections from J&K, and it is the highest number so far. This again shows that there was never a lack of brilliant minds in Kashmir; what was missing was a stable atmosphere, and once we got it, the number rose from an average of 5 to 16 this year.
As I see it, the real story is not just about numbers, but about direction. When young people begin to choose books over uncertainty and ambition over limitation, it signals a deeper shift in society. What we are witnessing today is a generation that is reclaiming its space through merit and perseverance. If this continuity is sustained, the impact will go far beyond examinations, shaping a more confident and forward-looking Jammu and Kashmir.
Email: soulofkashmir1@gmail.com
