NHM Contract Staff in J&K Get a 5% Annual Increment: Who Qualifies, From When, and What Employees Say Is Still Missing

The three start dates

The increment follows when you completed one year of service:

• One year completed on or before 31 March 2026: increment from 1 April 2026.
• One year completed between 1 April and 30 September 2026: increment from 1 October 2026.
• One year completed after 30 September 2026: increment from 1 April 2027.

The order covers eligible contractual staff at State, Divisional, District and Block levels, including disease-control programmes, according to the Tribune; Northlines and Greater Kashmir add that NUHM staff are covered. It was issued by NHM J&K Mission Director Athar Aamir Khan, and follows the Union Health Ministry's approval of the 2026-27 programme implementation plan, conveyed on 19 June 2026, per Northlines. Drawing and disbursing officers must verify service and satisfactory performance first.

What the government says

Health Minister Sakina Itoo wrote on X: "As promised by the government, a five percent annual increment has been sanctioned for eligible contractual employees engaged under the NHM, J&K, for FY 2026–27."

What the employees' body says

Abdul Rauoof, spokesperson for the J&K NHM Employees Association, told Northlines: "A routine annual increment cannot be considered a substitute for these long-pending demands." He cited a 18 September 2026 meeting with the health minister and listed equal pay for equal work, job security, social security and retirement benefits as pending demands. We found no government response to that criticism at the time of writing.

What to do

If you are on an NHM contract, note the date you completed your first year and confirm with your drawing and disbursing officer which of the three dates applies to you.

Sources

• The Tribune: J&K govt announces 5% annual increment for eligible NHM contractual employees
• Northlines: NHM employees to get 5 pc annual increment from Apr 1
• Greater Kashmir: NHM staff get 5% annual increment; employees call it routine exercise
• Greater Kashmir: MD NHM reviews operational status of online single window system (source of the file photo)