The moment a wedding proposal enters a Kashmiri household, a familiar question quickly takes center stage: What does the prospective groom do for a living?

A second question usually follows close behind: Does he have a government job?

That inquiry captures a social reality that has gradually tightened its grip on Kashmir over several decades. 

Government employment has evolved into far more than a source of income. It functions as a badge of respectability, a marker of family standing and, in many cases, a deciding factor in marriage negotiations.

Many parents view this preference as common sense. 

Kashmir has spent years grappling with economic uncertainty, limited private-sector growth and high unemployment among educated youth. Public-sector jobs promise a regular salary, long-term security, retirement benefits and social prestige. 

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Families naturally gravitate toward what appears dependable in an uncertain environment.

Numbers help explain why this mindset gained such influence. 

Government data and labour surveys have consistently shown that Jammu and Kashmir records some of the highest unemployment levels among educated young people in India. Thousands of candidates often compete for a handful of public-sector vacancies. Recruitment examinations attract massive participation because a government position represents far more than employment. It signals entry into a highly valued social category.

Marriage discussions reveal how deeply this thinking........

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