Srinagar, Feb. 18 -- For decades, Kashmiris have held onto the belief that passing the 10th standard was a defining academic milestone, a gateway to success and stability. Even as late as 2012, families and relatives would gather to congratulate students with a heartfelt "Mubarak!"-as if this achievement alone would secure their future. This mindset, shaped by past realities, continues to persist even as the job market has undergone a complete transformation.

In the 1980s and 1990s, passing the 10th standard or earning a basic college degree was often enough to land a government job. At that time, there were fewer graduates, and opportunities were relatively abundant. However, as access to education expanded, so did the number of job see...