J&K Unemployment Rate Hits 6.7%: Government Unveils Mission YUVA Roadmap to Tackle Job Crisis

Srinagar | February 9, 2026:- The Jammu and Kashmir Government officially informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday that the Union Territory’s unemployment rate has reached 6.7%, a figure that significantly exceeds the national average of 3.5%.

In a written response to a query raised by MLA Mubarak Gul, the government cited the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), noting that joblessness among individuals aged 15 and above has remained consistently high.

A baseline survey conducted under Mission YUVA further revealed a sobering reality: out of 4.73 lakh surveyed individuals aged 18–60, approximately 46.8% reported being unemployed but actively seeking work, highlighting a critical need for targeted economic intervention.

To combat these challenges, the administration is pivoting its strategy from traditional job provisioning to fostering an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and self-employment.

The government’s flagship initiative, Mission YUVA, aims to transform youth from “job seekers into job creators.” The program has already seen a massive surge in interest, with over 70,000 applications submitted. Of these, nearly 53,000 applicants have had Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared, and over 16,141 cases have been sanctioned by banks following rigorous scrutiny.

While some applications were rejected due to credit or eligibility issues, thousands of young entrepreneurs are currently receiving mentorship and capacity-building training to ensure the sustainability of their ventures.The Minister In-charge of the Labour and Employment Department emphasized that a comprehensive roadmap titled “Mission YUVA: From Aspiration to Enterprise” is now in place to strengthen youth engagement in the economy. This policy integrates several specialized schemes, including Mumkin, Tejaswini, and the Women Entrepreneurship Programme, to ensure inclusive growth.

By focusing on long-term enterprise-led employment and providing handholding support to over 7,300 trained beneficiaries, the government aims to drastically reduce the unemployment gap and revitalize the socio-economic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.