Srinagar: The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and 1989 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, Mr Atal Dulloo on Sunday chaired the Apex Committee meeting of Mission YUVA in Srinagar and reviewed the significant progress made under the ambitious initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, generating employment opportunities, and transforming Jammu & Kashmir into a vibrant hub of enterprises and sustainable livelihoods.
Mission YUVA, one of the flagship initiatives of the Jammu & Kashmir administration, is focused on enabling youth to establish nano enterprises, new MSMEs, and innovative ventures by providing financial support, entrepreneurship training, and institutional handholding.
High-Level Meeting Attended by Key Departments and Financial Institutions
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including representatives from the Finance Department, School Education Department, Labour & Employment Department, Rural Development Department, the Directorate of Employment, Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), Jammu & Kashmir Bank, other financial institutions, district administrations, and various stakeholders involved in implementing Mission YUVA.
During the review, Chief Secretary Dulloo assessed progress across the initiative’s four foundational pillars:
- Culture – Promoting an entrepreneurial mindset
- Capital – Facilitating access to finance
- Capacity – Strengthening skills and training
- Connectivity – Enhancing outreach and support systems
He also examined district-wise performance, credit facilitation, institutional preparedness, and bottlenecks affecting implementation.
Atal Dulloo Calls for Faster Processing of Pending Applications
Expressing satisfaction over the progress made so far, Dulloo emphasized the need for coordinated action by departments, banks, and district administrations to ensure Mission YUVA evolves into a transformative movement for youth empowerment and economic growth.
Special attention was given to delays in application processing. The Chief Secretary directed district administrations, Small Business Development Units (SBDUs), and banking institutions to expedite pending cases and strictly adhere to timelines for:
- Verification of applications
- District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) approvals
- Loan sanctions and disbursement
He stressed that timely action is essential to maintain the momentum generated under the mission.
Over 21,000 Youth Complete Entrepreneurship Training
Reviewing the capacity-building component, officials informed the meeting that more than 21,000 applicants have already completed hybrid-mode entrepreneurship training.
To support this large-scale initiative:
- Over 300 training centres have been activated across Jammu & Kashmir
- More than 200 certified trainers are currently engaged
- Collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute is being strengthened to enhance entrepreneurship and management training
These efforts are aimed at equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with practical business skills and managerial capabilities.
1.07 Lakh Applications Received; 25,000 Loans Sanctioned
Secretary, Labour & Employment, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, informed the committee that Mission YUVA has witnessed an overwhelming response from aspiring entrepreneurs across the Union Territory.
Key Achievements So Far:
- 1.07 lakh applications received
- 57,000+ applications approved by DLICs
- 25,000+ loan sanctions issued by banks
- ₹1,200 crore+ credit support sanctioned
- ₹1,119 crore disbursed in over 21,000 cases
The figures highlight the scale and impact of the initiative in creating self-employment opportunities for the youth.
J&K Sets Target of 50,000 Enterprises in 2026-27
Mission YUVA has set an ambitious target of establishing 50,000 enterprises during 2026-27, comprising:
- 44,000 nano enterprises
- 4,000 new MSMEs
- 2,000 existing MSMEs to be supported for expansion
District-wise targets and performance indicators were also reviewed in detail to ensure effective monitoring and timely implementation.
Policy Reforms to Strengthen Mentorship and Outreach
The meeting also discussed several policy interventions and operational reforms aimed at:
- Improving mentorship support
- Expanding institutional outreach
- Enhancing enterprise facilitation systems
- Strengthening coordination between departments and financial institutions
These reforms are expected to make the entrepreneurial ecosystem more responsive and accessible to young aspirants across all districts of Jammu & Kashmir.
Mission YUVA Emerging as a Transformational Initiative
With more than one lakh applications, thousands of enterprises in the pipeline, and over ₹1,200 crore in credit sanctioned, Mission YUVA is rapidly emerging as one of Jammu & Kashmir’s most impactful employment-generation initiatives.
The programme is poised to play a pivotal role in empowering youth, fostering innovation, and building a resilient and self-sustaining economy in the Union Territory.
