JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government announced on Monday that more than 3.70 lakh unemployed youth have registered on the employment portal as of January 2025. This includes 1.13 lakh graduates and postgraduates.
Responding to a written query from BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister and Labour & Employment Minister Surinder Choudhary detailed the government’s initiatives to boost employment opportunities across skilled and unskilled sectors in the Union Territory (UT).
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Employment Figures & Baseline Survey According to Choudhary, 3,70,811 individuals are registered on the employment portal. A baseline survey covering 4.73 lakh individuals aged 18-60 revealed that a significant number of respondents were willing to work but remained unemployed.
To address this issue, the government has launched multiple initiatives under Mission Youth to enhance job prospects.
Education & Qualification Breakdown Among those registered:
- 66,628 are graduates
- 47,114 are postgraduates
- 15,396 hold other degrees
- 9,884 are diploma holders
Choudhary emphasized that registration is voluntary and enables job seekers to access various self-employment schemes and job opportunities.
Key Employment Schemes Several government initiatives are aimed at providing employment:
- Mumkin Scheme (2020-21): Focuses on livelihood opportunities in the transport sector.
- Tejaswini Scheme (2022-23): Empowers young women through skill development and entrepreneurship.
- Parvaaz Scheme (2022-23): Supports youth preparing for competitive exams and recruitment drives.
- Spurring Entrepreneurship, Tourist Village Development Programme, and Specialized Programmes for dental professionals and youth in distress.
Job Fairs & Skill Development Initiatives Over the past three years, the government has conducted 246 job fairs, leading to the selection of 4,893 candidates through on-the-spot placements. Around 2,760 companies participated, recommending 6,640 individuals for skill training.
Additionally, permanent facilitation centres at the district level have been set up to provide counseling, seminars, and skill development training tailored to market demands.
Mission Yuva: Boosting Entrepreneurship & Employment Under the Administrative Council’s approval, Mission Yuva aims to foster self-reliance and entrepreneurship among youth. The goal is to create 1,37,000 new enterprises and generate over 4,25,000 employment opportunities within five years through a structured, four-pronged approach:
- Identification of Entrepreneurs: A baseline survey, AI tools, and investigators assess potential entrepreneurs and challenges.
- Credit & Market Support: Subsidies, interest subvention, and improved market linkages for nano entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
- Technology-Driven Ecosystem: AI-powered training, sector-specific skills, and an online marketplace to boost connectivity and efficiency.
- Institutional Support & Engagement: Strengthening self-employment schemes, skill development, and financial assistance.
Choudhary reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering youth through sustainable employment opportunities and entrepreneurship programs in Jammu and Kashmir.