Shabir Ahmad
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh are emerging as beacons of hope, innovation, and dedication, equipped with world-class skills and a profound commitment to community service.
As India marches toward its vision of a developed nation by 2047, these young trailblazers are at the forefront, turning challenges into opportunities and aspirations into achievements. With government-backed initiatives fostering skill development and civic engagement, the region’s youth are not just participants in progress — they are its architects.
In recent years, J&K and Ladakh have witnessed an unprecedented surge in youth empowerment programmes, blending education, vocational training, and hands-on service to create a resilient workforce. According to official data, over 4.29 lakh youth in J&K have been trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a flagship scheme that has bridged the gap between talent and employment.
This initiative, part of the broader Skill India Mission, has empowered young individuals with market-relevant skills in sectors such as IT, hospitality, healthcare, and renewable energy, enabling them to secure jobs both locally and nationally. In Ladakh, the “Ladakh Skill and Education Forge” programme, launched under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, has earned national acclaim, winning the prestigious CIPS Innovation Award 2024 for its innovative approach to integrating advanced skills such as AI and digital literacy into the curriculum.
These efforts are part of a larger ecosystem designed to make the youth “future-ready.” The J&K Skill Development Mission (JKSDM) recently launched UT-level competitions under India Skills 2025-26, providing a platform for young talent to showcase abilities in trades ranging from robotics to sustainable crafts.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has spearheaded a comprehensive five-year roadmap to transform the skilling landscape, aiming to empower nearly 14 lakh individuals through industry-aligned training, strong academia-industry linkages, and inclusive growth strategies. “This plan is about building a resilient workforce that can thrive in a dynamic global economy,” Dulloo emphasised in a recent address, highlighting the focus on lifelong learning and employability.
Beyond classrooms and workshops, the youth are channelling their energies into meaningful service, fostering social harmony and national integration. A shining example is the recent educational and cultural tour flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, where 25 young participants from South Kashmir embarked on a 10-day journey across Chandigarh, Haryana, and Shimla.
Organised by Prosperous, Accountable and Transparent J&K in collaboration with cultural institutions, this initiative promotes Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by exposing participants to diverse institutional and developmental landscapes. Participants return not just with memories, but with broadened worldviews, leadership skills, and a deeper sense of cultural literacy — essential tools for building a cohesive society.
The Indian Army has also played a pivotal role in youth empowerment, particularly in remote areas. On World Youth Skills Day 2025, Army-led programmes reached hundreds of students in J&K and Ladakh, offering digital literacy drives, AI awareness sessions, and motivational talks under schemes such as Super50 and PMKVY. These efforts align with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports’ MY Bharat initiative, which connects young people to experiential learning opportunities across for-profit, non-profit, and government sectors, emphasising social mobility and practical skills.
Entrepreneurship is another arena where the youth are shining brightly. Under the YUVA (Youth Upliftment through Vibrant Aspirations) mission, the J&K government aims to create 1.37 lakh enterprises, generating employment for 4.25 lakh youth over the next five years. This builds on a remarkable record: in 2024 alone, 94,680 youth received sanction letters for startups and self-employment units, shifting the narrative from job seekers to job creators.
In Ladakh, the UT Focus Paper for 2025-26 underscores skill development for gainful engagement, including training in traditional crafts such as Thangka painting and carpet weaving, which preserve cultural heritage while opening new income avenues.
Community service also extends to holistic development, with organisations like Yuwa Sewa Sangh running transformative camps that address addiction, stress, and personal growth through yogic techniques and purpose-driven goals. The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), J&K, recently conducted a two-day capacity-building programme, training district coordinators in drone technology, digital storytelling, and strategic communication to enhance youth outreach.
In Drass, a five-day Life Skill Training Workshop (LiST) at Government Degree College focused on boosting confidence, emotional resilience, and leadership among students. Even in child welfare, NGOs such as Bal Raksha Bharat are integrating skill-building into programmes, aiming to improve learning outcomes and foster peace education across 60 state-run schools by 2025.
Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma, while reviewing the 2025-26 Capex plan, highlighted the government’s emphasis on sports infrastructure and skill initiatives to empower the youth.
Post-2019, there has been a notable shift in Kashmir’s youth narrative — from alienation to agency. Through sports leagues, youth festivals, and vocational hubs, young people are reclaiming public spaces and focusing on productivity and self-reliance.
As one young entrepreneur from Srinagar shared, “These programmes have given us the tools to dream big and serve our community with pride.”
Looking ahead, the youth of J&K and Ladakh are indeed poised for greater glory. With sustained investments in skills and service, they are set to contribute not only to regional prosperity but also to India’s global stature. As Lieutenant Governor Sinha aptly observed during the flag-off of the National Youth Festival contingent, “Youth is not a challenge; it is an opportunity.”
In this spirit, the future shines bright for these dynamic young leaders, ready to soar to new heights.
