The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The National Conference leadership has sought one year to consider a Cabinet reshuffle and proposed associating four legislators with each minister through departmental consultative groups, even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reportedly offered to resign during a tense meeting with party MLAs on Friday.

A prominent NC legislator who attended the meeting told the news agency KNS that discussions with party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah centred on addressing legislators' grievances and improving coordination between ministers and elected representatives.

"The party leadership has sought one year for a cabinet reshuffle. It was also proposed that a consultative group comprising four MLAs would be associated with each minister in the respective departments," the legislator told KNS, requesting anonymity.

The MLA said the proposed arrangement was intended to involve legislators in departmental consultations and provide them with a direct channel to raise issues concerning their constituencies.

The meeting also discussed the possibility of appointing an additional advisor to the Chief Minister from the Jammu region.

"The proposal for one more advisor from Jammu was discussed during the meeting," the MLA said, adding that no appointment had been finalised.

The legislator further revealed that the meeting witnessed tense moments when Omar Abdullah expressed frustration over the pressure he was facing.

"Omar Sahib stood up and tried to leave the meeting. He said he was under pressure and was prepared to resign. He even said that any other legislator could be made Chief Minister," the MLA told KNS.

According to the legislator, the remarks prompted those present to reassure the Chief Minister that they were not seeking a change in leadership.

"We made it clear that we were not against him. Our concerns were about certain issues that needed to be addressed, not about replacing the Chief Minister," he said.

The meeting took place days after a group of NC legislators held consultations over the functioning of the government and subsequently submitted an eight-point memorandum to the party leadership.

The legislators had raised concerns relating to the implementation of election promises, restoration of statehood and special status, Cabinet restructuring, coordination between ministers and MLAs, and organisational matters.

The discussions followed a series of meetings among party legislators that had fuelled speculation about differences within the ruling party.

The recent Cabinet expansion had also brought questions of ministerial representation and the role of legislators into sharper focus.

The MLA said Friday's meeting provided an opportunity for legislators to place their concerns directly before Farooq Abdullah and the Chief Minister.

While the leadership has sought time to consider the demand for Cabinet changes, the proposed departmental consultative groups and the possibility of appointing an additional advisor from Jammu emerged as key issues during the discussions.

The legislator said the effectiveness of the assurances would depend on how the proposals were implemented in the coming months.

SRINAGAR — The National Health Mission (NHM), Jammu and Kashmir, has sanctioned a five per cent annual increment for eligible contractual employees for the financial year 2026–27, with the benefit to be released in three phases depending on completion of the prescribed one-year service requirement.

According to an official order, the increment will cover eligible contractual employees working at the state, divisional, district and block levels, including those engaged under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) and various Disease Control Programmes.

The order outlines three categories for implementation of the increment.

Contractual employees who completed one year of service on or before March 31, 2026, will receive the five per cent increment with effect from April 1, 2026.

Those completing one year of service between April 1 and September 30, 2026, will become eligible for the increment with effect from October 1, 2026.

Similarly, employees completing their first year of service after September 30, 2026, will receive the increment with effect from April 1, 2027.

The Mission Director has clarified that the increment will not be automatic and will remain subject to satisfactory performance, completion of the qualifying service period and fulfilment of conditions prescribed under the applicable NHM guidelines.

All concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and Controlling Officers have been directed to ensure that the benefit is extended only to eligible employees after proper verification of their service records and performance.

The decision follows approval of the NHM State Programme Implementation Plan (SPIP) for 2026–27 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 19, 2026.

It is also based on the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of the State Health Society, NHM J&K, issued on July 18, 2026, and a subsequent administrative department order dated November 6, 2026.

The increment covers eligible contractual manpower deployed across different levels of the NHM healthcare delivery system, including personnel associated with urban healthcare services and disease control programmes.

The phased implementation provides financial benefits from April 1, 2026, to employees who had already completed the qualifying service period by March 31, while those completing one year subsequently will receive the benefit from their respective effective dates.

The NHM administration has directed the concerned authorities to strictly follow the prescribed eligibility criteria and applicable guidelines while processing the increments to ensure that the benefit reaches all qualifying contractual employees across Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — The J&K Bank Banking Associate 2026 recruitment is here, and it is a big one. Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd. has invited applications for 1,033 vacancies of Banking Associate, open only to domiciles of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir. Online registration and fee payment run from 07-11-2026 to 26-11-2026 on the Bank's website under the "Careers" tab.

Selection is refreshingly simple. There is one online examination, conducted by IBPS, with no Mains and no interview. If you are a graduate in any discipline between 20 and 30 years of age, a single 60-minute test could decide your entry into the Bank's Banking Associate cadre, with a starting basic pay of Rs. 24,050.

The Bank issued a separate notification for 323 Probationary Officer posts on the same day, so we also compare the two later in this article. First, here is everything the Banking Associate notification says: dates, vacancies, reservation, eligibility, fee, exam pattern, salary, how to apply, documents and the rules that can make or break an application.

JK Bank Banking Associate 2026: Quick Overview

Important Dates

You have a 20-day window (both dates inclusive). The Bank advises applying well before the closing date, and says it will not be responsible if you cannot submit because of website congestion or any other reason beyond its control.

All further announcements will appear only on the Bank's website under the Careers tab. The notification is explicit that no separate advertisement or intimation will be issued.

Key Highlights

• 1,033 Banking Associate vacancies, with reservation applied as per the UT of J&K Reservation Rules, 2005 (as amended).



• J&K domiciles only.



• One online exam (100 marks, 60 minutes) with sectional and overall cut-offs. No interview.



• Relaxation for the Bank's own apprentices: one extra year of age relaxation and bonus marks equal to 2.5% of the maximum marks in the online exam.



• 6% horizontal reservation for Ex-Servicemen and 4% for Persons with Disabilities.



• Concessional fee of Rs. 600 for SC/ST/SEBC/PwBD/ESM candidates.



• A mandatory 5-year posting within the Zone first allotted, with no transfer outside it before five years are complete.



• 6-month probation and a Rs. 1 lakh bond for a minimum of six months.



• A self-declaration of character and antecedents is required.

Vacancy Details and Reservation

The Bank has announced 1,033 vacancies. The notification does not give a category-wise break-up, so watch the Careers page for updates. Reservation follows the UT of J&K Reservation Rules, 2005, and the position set out in S.O. 176 dated 15 March 2024 of the Social Welfare Department:

Scheduled Tribes covered. The first list includes Bakarwal, Balti, Beda, Bot/Boto, Brokpa/Drokpa/Dard/Shin, Changpa, Garra, Gaddi, Gujjar, Mon, Purigpa and Sippi. The second list, added by the 2024 amendment, covers Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe and Pahari Ethnic Group.

Points to note

• A reserved-category candidate who makes the general list on the score obtained will be treated at par with general candidates. Such a candidate is not adjusted against a reserved post, though their registered category stays unchanged.



• Ex-Servicemen reservation applies to posts where the maximum of the pay scale does not exceed Level-6E (35900-113500), as per the notification.



• Unfilled EWS vacancies will be dealt with as per the reservation rules of the UT of J&K.



• Age relaxation for SC/ST/Socially and Educationally Backward candidates can be availed cumulatively with one of the other categories for which relaxation is permitted, as stated for Persons with Disabilities.



• No change of category is allowed after registration. The result will be processed on the category and details in the final online application.



• You must hold a valid reserved category certificate on the date you register online.



• EWS candidates need a certificate valid for the year 2026-27.

Special Benefit for the Bank's Apprentices

Apprentices who have successfully completed apprenticeship training with J&K Bank and are J&K domiciles get two benefits:

1. Age relaxation of 1 year, in addition to whatever relaxation applies to their reservation category.



2. Additional marks equal to 2.5% of the maximum marks in the online examination. On a 100-mark paper, that works out to 2.5 marks.

Such candidates must upload their Apprenticeship Completion Certificate with the application.

Eligibility Criteria for JK Bank Banking Associate 2026

1. Domicile

Only domiciles of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir can apply. Selected candidates must submit a domicile certificate issued by the competent authority.

2. Age Limit (as on 01-01-2026)

• Minimum: 20 years



• Maximum: 30 years



• You must have been born not earlier than 01-01-1996 and not later than 01-01-2006 (both dates inclusive).

The effective ages are the base limit plus the relaxation stated in the notification. Candidates claiming combined relaxation should verify the position against the official notice.

3. Educational Qualification

• Graduation in any discipline from a university recognised by the Government of India, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government/UGC, as on the last date of registration (26-11-2026).



• You must hold a valid marksheet or degree certificate proving you are a graduate on that date, and you must enter your graduation percentage in the online form.

How the percentage is calculated

• Divide total marks obtained in all subjects across all semesters/years by the aggregate maximum marks (including honours, optional and additional optional subjects) and multiply by 100.



• Enter it to the nearest two decimals.



• Fractions are ignored: 59.99% counts as less than 60%, and 54.99% counts as less than 55%.



• If your university awards CGPA/OGPA, convert it to a percentage and carry a certificate from the appropriate authority stating the university's conversion norms.

The Bank describes these as the basic criteria for applying. Eligibility is verified against original documents later.

Application Fee

• EWS candidates are not named in the concessional list, so by the notification's wording they fall under "all others". Confirm the exact amount on the payment page.



• Bank transaction charges for online payment are borne by the candidate.



• Payment modes: Debit Cards (RuPay/Visa/MasterCard/Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards and Mobile Wallets.



• Registration is complete only after the fee is successfully paid online.



• The fee is non-refundable and cannot be held in reserve for any other exam.



• Do not press Back or Refresh after submitting payment details. Wait for the server's response to avoid a double charge.



• A generated e-Receipt confirms success. No e-Receipt means the payment failed. Log in again with your provisional registration number and password and repeat the payment.



• Only one application per candidate is allowed. If you submit multiple applications, only the latest valid, completed one is retained, and the fees paid for the others are forfeited.

Selection Process

Selection is based on the aggregate score in the single online examination, applied under the reservation rules. There is no interview and no Mains stage.

1. Online examination conducted by IBPS.



2. Cut-offs and shortlisting in two stages: first on scores in each individual test, then on total score.



3. Provisional selection category-wise, based on online exam marks only.



4. Document verification before a provisional appointment letter is issued.



5. Joining within 45 days, with originals and photocopies of the prescribed documents.

Minimum qualifying marks: the minimum aggregate qualifying marks at each stage are 40% for General and 35% for reserved categories, subject to overall merit.

Tie-breaker: if two or more candidates score the same, the older candidate (by date of birth) is placed higher.

Reserve list: the Bank will draw a reserve list of up to 50% of the vacancies in each category, subject to availability. It is valid for one year from publication of the selection list or until the next recruitment notification, whichever is earlier. If no vacancy arises in that period, reserve-list candidates will not be considered, and expiry will not be notified.

JK Bank Banking Associate Exam Pattern 2026

The online exam is in English and lasts 60 minutes, with each test separately timed.

• You must qualify in each of the three tests by securing sectional cut-offs decided by IBPS in concurrence with the Bank.



• The Bank can modify the exam structure and will intimate changes on its website.

Negative Marking

For every wrong answer, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. There is no penalty for an unattempted question.

How Scores Are Calculated

1. The corrected score comes from the number of correct answers in each test after applying the penalty.



2. If the exam is held in multiple sessions, corrected scores are equated to account for minor differences in difficulty, by comparing score distributions across all forms.



3. Test-wise and total scores are reported to two decimal places.

Only marks obtained in the online examination are considered for shortlisting and provisional selection.

Examination Centres

You must choose six centres, of which at least three must be outside J&K. The Bank may still allot a centre other than your choices, and no request for change of centre, venue, date or session will be entertained.

Although the exam lasts one hour, expect to be at the venue for about 4 hours because of verification, document collection, login and instructions. Late arrivals will not be allowed to take the exam. Candidates travel at their own risk and expense.

Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

The post is identified as suitable for persons with benchmark disabilities (not less than 40% of a specified disability) under Section 34 of the RPwD Act, 2016. The 4% horizontal reservation is split as follows:

Points for disabled candidates

• Eligible categories are Visually Impaired (VI), Hearing Impaired (HI), Locomotor Disability (LD), Intellectual Disability (ID) and Multiple Disabilities. The notification gives detailed medical definitions.



• You need a disability certificate from a competent authority. The Bank's formats are Form I (amputation, complete permanent paralysis of limbs, dwarfism, blindness), Form II (multiple disabilities) and Form III (other cases).



• Certificates and UDID cards may be authenticated through the UDID portal, and the Bank may order a fresh medical assessment. Fraudulent certificates attract action under Sections 89 and 91 of the RPwD Act.



• As per a Government of India Office Memorandum dated 17.12.2025, certificates showing the condition as "likely to improve" under the temporary disability category are not eligible for reservation. Conditions marked "progressive", "non-progressive" or "not likely to improve" are eligible.

Scribe and Compensatory Time

• Arrange your own scribe at your own cost.



• If you use a scribe under the 10.08.2022 OM, you must upload a certificate from a competent medical authority of a Government healthcare institution (Appendix I) with your application, and submit a Letter of Undertaking (Appendix II) at the exam.



• The scribe's qualification must be one step below yours, and the scribe may be from any academic stream.



• The scribe must not be a candidate in the same exam and may serve only one candidate in the recruitment process.



• Eligible candidates get compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour. You must register for it at the time of online application, because it is system-based.



• Visually impaired candidates (40% or more) may opt for magnified font. That is not available if a scribe is used.



• If a scribe is found answering independently or prompting answers, the exam session is terminated and both may be debarred.



• Candidates are advised to hold a valid Aadhaar card, as the Bank will do online Aadhaar verification of candidates and scribes at different stages.

How to Apply Online for JK Bank Banking Associate 2026

Before You Start: Keep These Ready

1. A scanned passport-style colour photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm)



2. Your signature in black ink (not in capital letters)



3. Left thumb impression on white paper in black or blue ink (right thumb if you have no left thumb)



4. A handwritten declaration on white paper in black ink, in English, in your own handwriting. The text reads: "I, ____ (Name of the candidate), hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required."



5. A valid personal email ID and mobile number, active throughout the process



6. Online payment details for the fee

Visually impaired candidates who cannot write may type the declaration and put their left thumb impression below it.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Go to https://jkb.bank.in, open the relevant notification under the "Careers" tab and click "Apply Online".



2. Choose "Click here for New Registration" and enter your name, contact details and email ID.



3. Note the Provisional Registration Number and Password shown on screen (also sent by email and SMS).



4. Fill in the form, using "Save and Next" to save progress and verify details.



5. Upload your photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration as per the specifications below.



6. Complete the remaining details and upload the required documents.



7. Use the Preview tab to check the entire form.



8. Click "Complete Registration" only when everything is correct. No changes are possible afterwards.



9. Go to the Payment tab, pay the fee and click Submit.



10. Download and print the application form and e-Receipt.

Spell your name and your father's/husband's name exactly as in your certificates, marksheets and identity proof. Any alteration found may disqualify your candidature.

Photograph, Signature and Document Specifications

You will also capture a live photograph during the application, using a webcam or by scanning a QR code with your mobile phone. Take it against a light, preferably white, background, facing the camera. No caps, sunglasses or masks. Religious headwear is allowed if it does not cover the face.

Documents to Upload With the Application

• Class 10th certificate (marksheet or passing certificate)



• Graduation certificate (degree or consolidated marksheet)



• Apprenticeship completion certificate, if applicable



• Ex-Servicemen certificate, if applicable



• Disability certificate in Form I, II or III, as applicable



• Certificate regarding physical limitation to write (Appendix I), if applicable

Combine educational certificates into one file and experience certificates into one file.

Salary, Perks and Service Conditions

If work and conduct do not improve during an extended probation, the appointee is liable to be terminated. Appointment is also subject to being declared medically fit (except for persons with disabilities under the J&K Reservation Rules) and to the service and conduct rules of the UT of J&K. Selected candidates must produce a proper discharge certificate from their current employer when taking up the appointment.

Identity Verification and Exam-Day Rules

What to Carry

• A valid call letter



• Original photo ID bearing exactly the same name as on the call letter, plus a photocopy of it. Accepted IDs include PAN Card, Passport, Permanent Driving Licence, Voter's Card, Bank Passbook with photograph, Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar with photograph, Employee ID, Bar Council Identity Card, and photo ID issued on official letterhead by a Gazetted Officer or a People's Representative.



• Ration Card and Learner's Driving Licence are not accepted.



• Candidates who changed their name must produce the original Gazette notification or marriage certificate.



• Keep copies of the photograph you uploaded, as they may be needed at later stages.

A name mismatch between the call letter and the photo ID can cost you the exam, so married women who changed first, middle or last names should take special care.

Call Letters

Download your call letter from the Bank's website using your registration/roll number and password/date of birth. Intimation will also come by email and SMS, but no hard copy will be posted. Paste a recent photograph on it, preferably the same one uploaded during registration.

Items Not Allowed Inside the Exam Centre

Printed or written material, calculators, geometry/pencil boxes, pen drives, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, earphones, health bands, watches, cameras, handbags, belts, caps, goggles, metallic items, ornaments (rings, earrings, nose-pins, chains, pendants, badges, brooches) and any eatables or water bottles. The Bank does not take responsibility for safekeeping.

Violations can lead to cancellation of candidature, a ban from future exams and police complaints.

Documents Required at the Time of Joining

Bring originals and self-attested photocopies of the following, as applicable:

• System-generated printout of the online application



• Proof of date of birth (Birth Certificate from the competent municipal authority, or SSLC/Std. X certificate with DOB)



• Photo identity proof



• Graduation marksheets and certificates, with proper proof from the Board/University that the result was declared on or before the last date of registration



• Caste and other reserved category certificates



• Income and Asset Certificate in the prescribed format (EWS candidates)



• PCP/Disability certificate from the District Medical Board (PwBD candidates)



• Scribe details in the prescribed format, if a scribe was used in the online exam



• Appendix I certificate for persons with specified disability (less than 40%) who have difficulty in writing



• For Ex-Servicemen: a copy of the Service or Discharge Book with the pension payment order, and documentary proof of rank last or presently held (substantive and acting)



• No Objection Certificate in original from the employer for those in Government, quasi-Government or PSU service (including nationalised banks and financial institutions)



• Any other relevant eligibility documents

Candidates who fail to produce the required documents will not be allowed to join.

Important for serving defence personnel: those still in defence service must submit a certificate from a competent authority, at the time of registration, stating they will be relieved from defence service. The notification warns that failure to provide it results in immediate disqualification, so apply for it early.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing in capital letters. Capital-letter signatures and declarations are not accepted.



• Having someone else write the declaration. It must be in your handwriting and in English, or the application is invalid. If the handwriting is later found dissimilar on expert analysis, candidature will be cancelled.



• Mismatched names across application, call letter and ID.



• Applying under the wrong category. It cannot be changed afterwards.



• Invalid certificates. The reserved-category certificate must be valid on the day you register, and the EWS certificate must be valid for 2026-27.



• Submitting multiple applications. Only the latest valid one counts, and the other fees are forfeited.



• Waiting for the last day. Server congestion is a real risk and the Bank takes no responsibility for it.



• Changing your appearance. The Bank advises against it during the process, since photo mismatches at later stages can lead to disqualification.



• Signature mismatch. Your signature on the call letter and attendance sheet must match the one uploaded.

Rules Every Applicant Should Know

• Your candidature stays provisional at every stage. Receiving a call letter or provisional selection does not mean you are finally cleared.



• Applications cannot be withdrawn, and fees are not refunded.



• Intimation goes only to your registered email ID and mobile number. Keep both active. Providing an Aadhaar number or enrolment number in the application is optional.



• The Bank analyses responses to detect abnormal similarity of answers. If scores are found not genuine, candidature can be cancelled and results withheld.



• Using unfair means, impersonation or misbehaviour can lead to disqualification, permanent or temporary debarment from the Bank's exams and criminal prosecution.



• If any ineligibility or false information is found, the Bank can cancel candidature at any stage, and services are liable to be terminated if this is detected after appointment.



• If technical problems disrupt the exam, the Bank may move candidates or delay the test. Holding a re-exam is at its sole discretion, and candidates have no claim to a re-test.



• Question papers are not disclosed to anyone other than candidates during the exam, and are not shared even afterwards.



• Legal disputes fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in J&K.



• The Bank's decisions on eligibility, conduct of the exam and selection are final and binding.

Banking Associate vs Probationary Officer: Which Notification Suits You?

J&K Bank notified both recruitments on 07-11-2026, with the same application window. Here is how they compare:

Both require a graduate degree, an age of 20 to 30 years as on 01-01-2026, J&K domicile, a five-year posting in the first allotted Zone and the same Prelims-style test of English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning. The notifications are separate, so read each one carefully before deciding where to apply.

Preparation Pointers (Editorial)

These suggestions follow from the exam pattern, not from the notification itself:

• Treat all three sections seriously. Sectional cut-offs mean a high score in one test cannot rescue a weak one.



• Prioritise accuracy. One-fourth of a question's marks is deducted for every wrong answer. If every question in a section carries equal marks, that is roughly 0.25 marks in English, about 0.21 in Quantitative Aptitude and about 0.29 in Reasoning. Unattempted questions cost nothing.



• Manage time per section. Each test is separately timed at 20 minutes, so you cannot carry spare time from one section to another.



• Practise on-screen. The exam is conducted online, so mock tests on a computer will help.



• Plan travel. At least three of your six centre choices must be outside J&K, and you may be allotted a centre you did not choose.



• Sort out documents early. Category, EWS, domicile, disability and apprenticeship certificates must all be valid and in the prescribed format.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Word

With 1,033 vacancies, a single online exam, a defined route to a bank job and benefits for apprentices and Ex-Servicemen, the JK Bank Banking Associate 2026 recruitment is one of the most significant openings for J&K graduates this season. The trade-offs are real too: a five-year Zone posting, a service bond, exam centres that may be outside J&K, and strict document and photo rules. Read the full notification, get your certificates and scans ready, and submit your application well before 26 November 2026.