SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has announced the final selection list for the post of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department, revealing a near-equal split between open merit and reserved category selections. The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has recommended a total of 156 candidates, whose names were released district-wise and category-wise by the Agriculture Production Department on July 9, 2025.
Of the 156 selected candidates, 56 have been chosen under the Open Merit category, while the remaining 88 posts have been filled from various reservation categories. These include 28 candidates from the Rural Backward Area category, 28 from the Scheduled Tribe category, 15 from the Scheduled Caste category, 11 from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (including ALC and SLC), two under the Economically Weaker Sections, and another two from the Physically Handicapped category.
The selection list reveals strong representation from remote and border districts, with Poonch topping the district-wise tally with 16 candidates. Anantnag follows closely with 15 selections, while Jammu accounts for 14 and Rajouri for 12. Pulwama has 12 candidates in the list, Doda has 8, and Kulgam contributes another 8. Districts such as Kathua, Shopian, Ganderbal, and Samba each account for six candidates, whereas Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, and Udhampur have five each. Smaller numbers have been selected from Kupwara, Kishtwar, Ramban, Bandipora, and Reasi.
The list also reflects an encouraging trend in gender diversity, with nearly 30 per cent of the selected candidates being women. Many of them figure not only in the reserved categories but also in the open merit segment, pointing towards increasing female participation in public service recruitment in the region.
The Agriculture Production Department has directed all selected candidates to submit their mobile numbers and email IDs to the Nodal Officer within seven days to facilitate verification and further procedural formalities. The list has also been forwarded to the Director of Information for publication in major newspapers and made available on official government portals.
Only 68 candidates have been selected from open merit. Out of 176 advertised posts 156 have been filled and remaining 20 posts have remained unfilled due to non availability of candidates in reserved categories. Open merits has got a share of 38%
Merit and Talent has been crushed under the feet of reservation. Superior brains suffer.