JAMMU: Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” Jammu & Kashmir is scripting a new chapter of self-reliance and entrepreneurship through Mission YUVA, a flagship initiative transforming employment pathways for the youth of the Union Territory.
Conceived by the Government of J&K in collaboration with IIM Jammu, NABARD, J&K Bank, other financial institutions and livelihood experts, Mission YUVA is a data-driven, ecosystem-based intervention aimed at bridging the gap between entrepreneurial aspiration and access. A diagnostic assessment revealed that unemployment stemmed not just from limited jobs or finance, but from weak institutional support, lack of guidance and post-credit hand-holding.
Designed for youth aged 18–59 years, the Mission is backed by an unprecedented baseline survey covering over 24 lakh households and 1.1 crore individuals, identifying 5.5 lakh potential entrepreneurs. Mission YUVA targets the creation of 1.37 lakh enterprises through four interventions—Nano Enterprises, new MSMEs in priority sectors, acceleration of existing enterprises and promotion of neo-innovative ventures—with a projected generation of 4.25 lakh employment opportunities over five years.
The Mission is implemented by the Labour & Employment Department with strong governance oversight. Progress is monitored at the apex level by the Chief Secretary, with strategic supervision from the Administrative Secretary and a dedicated Mission Director. At the district level, District Level Implementation Committees (DLICs) chaired by Deputy Commissioners ensure scrutiny, convergence and bank coordination, while Small Business Development Units (SBDUs) and Business Help Desks (BHDs) provide end-to-end support.
Mission YUVA rests on four pillars—Culture, Capital, Capacity and Connectivity. To build an entrepreneurial mindset, over 2,000 YUVA Doots have conducted 5,000 awareness camps, with special focus on first-generation entrepreneurs, women (especially SHG members), and youth from remote and border areas.
Under the Capital pillar, the Mission introduced the Nano Enterprise model, tailored to the preferred ₹5–6 lakh investment range, offering 25% capital subsidy and 5% interest subvention. MSMEs in priority sectors receive 6% interest subvention, making entrepreneurship low-risk and accessible while correcting the urban bias of earlier schemes.
Capacity building follows a hybrid model combining digital content from the Skill India Digital Hub with classroom training, covering entrepreneurship fundamentals, financial literacy, digital skills, cyber security and AI basics. Connectivity is strengthened through ONDC integration via the J&K Seller App, innovation hubs at IIM Jammu, and 14 incubation centres, with government funding up to ₹20 lakh for innovative projects.
The entire Mission is powered by the Mission YUVA App and Portal, developed by BISAG-N, featuring an AI-based DPR generator, skill learning hub and real-time tracking. A robust output-tracking framework ensures transparency through work-in-progress, completion and sustenance reports, with verified enterprises showcased in the live UDYAM Gallery.
On the ground, Mission YUVA has recorded 1,59,327 registrations, 65,353 applications, 44,857 approvals, and 13,324 bank sanctions, with 10,329 entrepreneurs already receiving disbursements. Banks have sanctioned ₹756.28 crore, with ₹594 crore disbursed, reflecting strong delivery momentum.
These outcomes underscore Mission YUVA’s transition from policy intent to people-led impact, firmly advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat by empowering youth to become job creators rather than job seekers across Jammu & Kashmir.
