The Jammu and Kashmir region is set to become a hub of entrepreneurship with the launch of ‘Mission YUVA,’ announced Lt Governor Manoj Sinha during the Republic Day celebrations in Jammu. The program aims to foster economic growth and development by prioritizing first-generation entrepreneurs, particularly youth and women from remote areas. Mission YUVA will focus on establishing new businesses in growth sectors, scaling up existing enterprises, and promoting knowledge-based enterprises and innovative startups.
The initiative also includes empowerment through training and livelihood programs such as the National Urban Livelihood Mission and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. Women-centric programs are a notable aspect of the initiative, with plans to transform 40,000 rural women into ‘Lakhpati Didis’ and establish 20 hubs for women’s empowerment. Persons with disabilities will also benefit from increased employment opportunities, with over 550 individuals already securing government jobs following changes in reservation policies.
The revival of international cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, marked by the Legends League, is a significant milestone. Plans are also in place to establish water sports and fencing academies, high-performance training centers in every district, and host the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg. In a landmark move, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the region.
The signing took place at “Jammu Kashmir Konnect,” a special startup-focused program organized at JKEDI’s Baribrahmana campus. Dr. Sumeet K.
Fostering entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir
Jarangal, Director of DPIIT, emphasized the need for DPIIT-recognized incubators to avail Funds of Funds and Seed Fund, stressing that structured mentorship and handholding are crucial for startup success. Rajinder Kumar Sharma, Director of JKEDI, reiterated the institute’s commitment as the nodal agency for Startup JK, actively collaborating with various organizations to strengthen the startup ecosystem.
The MoU paves the way for greater branding, outreach, and accessibility to Startup India’s ecosystem, fostering mentorship, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure support. It also focuses on market linkages, funding networks, and international expansion opportunities, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The impact of the JK Startup Policy has been significant, with over 250 new startup registrations on the DPIIT portal, taking the total to 988 in a short span.
JKEDI has also conducted 601 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs (EAPs) across universities, colleges, higher secondary schools, and IITs in 20 districts of J&K during the current financial year. Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, while inaugurating the ‘BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Run-Up Event’ at IIM-Jammu, highlighted the transformative initiatives of the government that have redefined the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. He shared key initiatives, including Mission Yuva, aimed at developing a business support ecosystem for the enterprising youth of J&K.
The L-G stressed the need to bridge the academia-industry disconnect to meet future challenges and equip human resources with the skills required by the market and industries. He emphasized the role of educational institutions and youth in developing India as a knowledge economy and realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat. The industrial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an unprecedented improvement in the past few years, with the results of the central sector industrial development scheme now visible in the region.
The government’s sincere efforts and policy interventions have made J&K a vibrant startup hub, supporting the culture of innovation, research & development, and scientific advancements.