by Rafia Peer
Jammu and Kashmir’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is evolving through initiatives such as SKEWPY and Mission Yuva, but sustainable growth requires stronger industry linkages and entrepreneurship education within curricula.
Jammu and Kashmir has a long tradition of entrepreneurship, dating back to ancient times, in handicrafts, handlooms, woodwork, papier-mâché, and copperwork. During the Mughal and Sultanic periods, Jammu and Kashmir was considered a hub of art and crafts. Entrepreneurship during this time was artisanal and skill-based. Kashmiri traders had established a global network with Central Asia, Persia, and Europe. The famous Silk Route served as an economic hub in Kashmir, connecting Central Asia, China, and the Indian subcontinent. Yarkand Sarai in Safakadal and Kak Sarai near Karan Nagar served as stops in Srinagar for caravans travelling via Kashmir to China and Central Asia.
Nevertheless, trade remained traditionally small-scale and family-oriented. State-led corporations such as the State Handicrafts Department facilitated local artisans and entrepreneurs in setting up business ventures. However, artisans were generally paid less and were financially exploited by traders. There was an unequal system in which artisans performed labour-intensive work, but wages remained low—a practice that continues in many areas of Kashmir to this day. Breaking away from this system to establish one’s own venture was not only difficult but also risky in terms of financial security. Modern entrepreneurship, however, provides opportunities for people to pursue independent ventures with support from capital, connectivity, and state capacity-building initiatives.
Entrepreneurship on modern lines in Jammu and Kashmir began with the establishment of the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI). Before 1997 and thereafter, agencies such as KVIB, DIC, and SICOP promoted entrepreneurship. In the non-governmental sector, organisations such as Mercy Corps and several local NGOs made efforts to develop entrepreneurship.
With the launch of the flagship programme SKEWPY (Sher-i-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth) in 2009, it was recognised that government jobs could not be provided to all educated, unemployed youth. Therefore, alternative mechanisms were required to address unemployment. SKEWPY provided soft loans with subsidies to support business units. Under this programme, a Voluntary Service Allowance (VSA)—a stipend—was provided to educated unemployed youth to support them and provide relief during periods of joblessness. For unemployed engineers, self-help groups (SHGs) were formed, and 30 per cent of government work was allocated to them to ensure their participation in development projects.
During the implementation of the scheme, thousands of young people approached the District Employment and Counselling Centres (DECCs) to access benefits under SKEWPY. JKEDI also implemented schemes such as the Seed Capital Fund Scheme (SCFS), Youth Start-up Loan Scheme (YSLS), Himayat, and the National Minority Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC). These schemes aimed to support first-generation entrepreneurs in establishing ventures amid a scarcity of employment opportunities. Additionally, JKEDI focused on developing skills and entrepreneurial education among youth to foster a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Other Schemes
Other departments, such as Horticulture, Agriculture, Floriculture, the District Industries Centre, and the Women’s Development Corporation, also provide soft loans, which are availed of by a large number of people. Mission Youth was launched in 2019–2020 with the vision of building a vibrant population in Jammu and Kashmir that actively contributes to employment generation. The Department of Employment serves as its nodal agency. Mission Youth, which remains operational, comprises three major schemes: Tejaswini, Mumkin, and the Spurring Entrepreneurship Initiative (SEI). These schemes aim to encourage youth to start their own ventures, with Mumkin focusing on providing vehicles for commercial purposes.
PMEGP is another successful scheme run by the DIC, with a significant number of beneficiaries. The J&K Start-up Policy 2018 also aims to promote a start-up culture in the region. All these initiatives strive to create a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, a crucial question remains: Are these initiatives sufficient to develop a culture of entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir? What drives people toward entrepreneurship? What if entrepreneurship were taught as a subject at the elementary level? Given the inherent risks of business, is there a safety mechanism for first-generation entrepreneurs? Can we truly cultivate an entrepreneurial culture that encourages people to step out of their comfort zones and choose entrepreneurship over government or private-sector jobs?
Although the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly motivated toward entrepreneurship, much more needs to be done. Compared to other Indian states, especially Gujarat, there is a significant gap in how entrepreneurship is promoted. The Gujarat model benefits from robust industrial growth, a strong focus on skill development, and a deeply rooted business culture. Events like the Vibrant Gujarat Summits connect entrepreneurs with global investors. Comprehensive mentorship programmes, single-window clearance systems, and sector-specific incentives help businesses thrive. Risk-taking is encouraged due to trust in the system. Gujarat also benefits from a vast diaspora investing in the state. Its strong incubation ecosystem—such as iCreate, IIM Ahmedabad CIIE, and IITs—further strengthens the culture of entrepreneurship. Gujarat’s strong industrial base, exports, and global recognition give it an edge. Large corporations such as Amul, Sun Pharma, Zydus, and the diamond and textile industries are success stories.
In contrast, Jammu and Kashmir has fewer industry-linked skilling programmes. While schemes such as Himayat (imparting skills) exist, they are not sufficiently aligned with industry needs. In Jammu and Kashmir, success stories in key sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts, and horticulture are limited.
Mission Yuva
Mission Yuva is a flagship programme of the Government of India aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. The mission aims to create 1.4 lakh enterprises and 4.25 lakh jobs. It is implemented by the Department of Employment, with the Director of Employment serving as the Mission Director.
Before its rollout, a comprehensive baseline survey was conducted, covering 1.1 crore individuals and identifying 8.27 lakh potential entrepreneurs. Awareness campaigns known as Udyam Jagriti were organised across districts. Soft loans are provided under the mission, with a unique focus on nano-entrepreneurs. Small loans of up to ₹10 lakh, with a Rs 1 lakh subsidy, are offered. The baseline survey revealed that 70 per cent of youth preferred investments of ₹2–10 lakh.
Under Mission Yuva, 7,500 new MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) will be created in the Focus (agriculture, handicrafts, and tourism; dairy) and Sunrise (renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, IT) sectors. It also emphasises capacity building, mentorship, market linkages, digital access, and financial support through subsidies and interest subvention.
Beyond financial assistance, Mission Yuva seeks to develop an entrepreneurial mindset within communities. Although launched to address unemployment, it is vital to consider what truly facilitates a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem: a scheme, a mission, or long-term educational reform.
Entrepreneurship and Curriculum
Implementing such programmes is challenging because they follow a top-down approach. Often, youth are not adequately prepared or motivated to participate. Since SKEWPY’s launch in 2009, little progress has been made in integrating entrepreneurship into school, college, and university curricula.
Although Mission Yuva addresses key areas such as capital, connectivity, market access, and incubation centres, entrepreneurship must be institutionalised through education. A robust curriculum should be developed at the elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels.
At the elementary level, the focus should be on mindset, creativity, and problem-solving. Learning should be project-based, using storytelling, role-play, and simple design challenges. At the secondary level, skills, experimentation, idea generation, business models, marketing, budgeting, and digital skills should be introduced. Mentorship, technology integration, and pitching concepts can also begin here.
At the undergraduate level, the emphasis should be on venture creation, innovation, internships, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Incubation labs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and failure analysis should be encouraged. At the postgraduate level, advanced strategy, growth models, venture capital, private equity, and industry partnerships should be introduced. Case studies, simulations, scaling, and leadership training are also essential at this stage.
I recall that in 1996, my elementary science textbook had only one question on entrepreneurship: “Who is an entrepreneur?” Since then, despite rising unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, there have been no serious efforts to integrate entrepreneurship into curricula. Unless a comprehensive entrepreneurship education programme is implemented, the ecosystem is unlikely to change.
Government employment-generation schemes must be complemented by curriculum-based entrepreneurship education to drive sustainable change. The education system should play a crucial role in reshaping mindsets and addressing unemployment through entrepreneurship.
(The author is a Career Counselling Officer at the Joint Directorate of Employment, Kashmir Division. Ideas are personal.)
