J&K Bank to Fill 1,400 Posts, Recruitment Notification Expected in Coming Weeks: Amitava Chatterjee

Srinagar, September 1, 2026: Jammu and Kashmir Bank is set to launch its biggest recruitment exercise in years, with the bank’s board approving around 1,400 posts for advertisement in the coming weeks, Managing Director and CEO Amitava Chatterjee said.

The recruitment drive will remain locally focused, with the advertised positions open to J&K domiciles, while around 40 posts will be filled by residents of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The announcement comes as the bank prepares to initiate its first major recruitment drive in nearly five years, providing a significant opportunity for job seekers in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

J&K Bank Recruitment to Focus on Local Candidates

Addressing concerns about employment opportunities for local youth, Chatterjee said the upcoming recruitment would be restricted to local candidates.

He said all posts to be advertised would be open to J&K domiciles, while around 40 positions would be available for residents of Ladakh.

“All the posts to be advertised shall be open only to local candidates, only domiciles of J&K, and around 40 posts for Ladakh residents,” Chatterjee said.

The detailed recruitment notification is expected to be issued in the coming weeks. The notification will provide further details regarding the posts, eligibility conditions, application process and other recruitment-related information.

First Major Recruitment Drive in Nearly Five Years

The upcoming exercise will mark the bank’s first recruitment drive of this scale in almost five years.

Chatterjee described the recruitment announcement as good news for the youth of J&K and Ladakh, particularly amid concerns about employment opportunities and the bank’s recruitment policies.

He also clarified that there are no plans to alter the bank’s core recruitment model or replace its existing workforce.

J&K Bank had recruited non-local employees for some branches outside J&K until 2019, mainly to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers in markets outside its traditional operating area.

Chatterjee said the bank may consider limited and strictly need-based recruitment for its branches outside J&K in the future to supplement existing staff and support its expansion in those markets.

J&K and Ladakh Remain Core Markets for J&K Bank

Chatterjee also rejected the interpretation that the bank’s expansion outside J&K represents a dilution of its commitment to its home territories.

During FY 2025-26, advances in J&K grew by around 9 percent, compared with around 30 percent growth outside J&K.

Chatterjee said such credit-growth figures should not be viewed in isolation and should instead be considered alongside the size of the respective loan books.

At the beginning of FY 2025-26, more than two-thirds of the bank’s loan book came from J&K and Ladakh.

Despite disruptions to economic activity following the Pahalgam attack in 2025, the bank recorded credit growth of more than 9 percent in J&K and Ladakh during the financial year.

The bank currently operates across 22 states and Union Territories, while more than 60 percent of its lending remains concentrated in J&K and Ladakh.

Chatterjee said the bank would continue to pursue profitable lending opportunities across the country without compromising its focus on its home regions.

He emphasized that the bank’s core business remains in J&K and that it would continue to operate as a J&K-centric bank.

No Proposal to Shift J&K Bank Headquarters from Srinagar

Chatterjee also dismissed speculation regarding a possible relocation of the J&K Bank headquarters from Srinagar.

He categorically stated that there is no proposal to shift the headquarters.

According to Chatterjee, the bank’s headquarters has remained in Srinagar for more than eight decades, since its inception, including during turbulent periods, and will continue to remain there.

CEO Favours Kashmiri Representation on J&K Bank Board

The composition of the J&K Bank board was another issue discussed during the interaction.

Chatterjee said he would favour the inclusion of a representative from Kashmir on the bank’s board, amid concerns regarding the absence of such representation.

He said a Kashmiri representative could provide a better understanding of local realities.

However, he clarified that the appointment ultimately falls within the prerogative of the J&K government, which is the bank’s majority shareholder.

J&K Bank Prepares One-Time Settlement Framework

The bank’s approach to stressed assets and settlement of outstanding loans was also discussed.

Business chambers, associations and borrowers have been seeking a broader One-Time Settlement (OTS) mechanism, including a framework similar to the one introduced by State Bank of India in 2020.

The proposed framework sought coverage for larger accounts in the range of ₹20 lakh to ₹50 crore.

Chatterjee said J&K Bank has prepared an OTS framework but indicated that there are limitations on the concessions the bank can offer.

He explained that an OTS involves the bank giving up a portion of the money owed and stressed that the funds ultimately belong to depositors.

He said the bank has a responsibility to protect the interests of its depositors while taking settlement decisions.

What J&K Bank Job Aspirants Should Know

The announcement of around 1,400 posts is expected to generate considerable interest among job seekers across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

However, candidates should note that the official recruitment notification is still awaited. The bank is expected to release detailed information in the coming weeks.

Candidates should rely on the official notification for confirmed details regarding:

• Number and names of posts
• Educational qualifications
• Age limit
• Domicile requirements
• Application dates
• Application fee
• Selection process
• Examination pattern
• Other eligibility conditions

Until the official advertisement is released, candidates should avoid relying on unverified vacancy-wise details circulating on social media.

J&K Bank Recruitment 2026: Key Details

The upcoming recruitment drive is expected to be closely watched by banking aspirants and job seekers across J&K and Ladakh. Candidates should begin their preparation and wait for the official notification for complete and confirmed recruitment details.