SRINAGAR: Social welfare programmes in Jammu and Kashmir recorded expanded coverage across pensions, nutrition, women and child protection, disability support, rural development and poverty alleviation initiatives during 2025–26, according to the Economic Survey 2025–26 tabled in the Assembly.
The survey states that more than 10 lakh eligible beneficiaries received financial assistance under the National Social Assistance Programme and the Integrated Social Security Scheme during the financial year 2025–26 up to November 2025. These schemes cover old-age persons, widows and persons with disabilities.
Pension rates under these schemes were revised with effect from April 1, 2025. Under the revised structure, beneficiaries below 60 years receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,250, those aged 60 to 79 years receive Rs 1,500, and senior citizens aged 80 years and above receive Rs 2,000 per month. The sanctioning process has been fully digitised to ensure transparency and timely delivery of benefits, the survey notes.
Under Mission Poshan, the Union Territory has reported progress in nutrition and early childhood development. As of November 2025, 28,186 Anganwadi Centres were registered on the Poshan Tracker, with 8.43 lakh beneficiaries uploaded on the platform. More than four lakh community-based events and 56,664 Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Days were organised during the period.
The survey states that under the Anaemia Mukt J and K initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Health Department, 20,687 anaemia camps were held till November 2025, identifying 9,209 anaemic persons. The seventh Poshan Maah, observed from September 17 to October 16, 2025, recorded more than 12.85 lakh activities across the Union Territory.
Infrastructure upgrades were undertaken under Saksham Anganwadi, with 338 centres modernised to include internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, LED screens, RO machines and rainwater harvesting systems. Additionally, 897 rented Anganwadis were upgraded as Balvidalayas using Union Territory funds, equipped with LED smart televisions, water purifiers, CCTV cameras, Alexa devices and climate control equipment.
Under the Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi initiative, State Level Master Trainers trained by NIPCCD authorities subsequently trained Anganwadi workers across Jammu and Kashmir in nutrition and early childhood education curricula.
According to the survey, One Stop Centres under Mission Shakti have been established in all districts to provide counselling, police assistance and legal aid. Till date, 14,281 women have benefited from these centres, while 954 women were provided shelter pending reconciliation with families.
The survey further states that 20 Hubs for Empowerment of Women have been established, benefitting 47,106 women through improved access to awareness and resources. Nari Adalat, a pilot scheme in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, is being implemented in the aspirational districts of Baramulla and Kupwara. A total of 1,945 Nyay Adalats were conducted, addressing 806 disputes, of which 641 were resolved.
Women helpline 181, child helpline 1098 and emergency response system 112 were fully integrated and collectively handled 56,470 calls during the period, the survey reports.
Shakti Sadan facilities in Kupwara and Jammu currently provide accommodation and support to 45 residents. Eleven new Shakti Sadans have been approved in Anantnag, Budgam, Reasi, Kathua, Bandipora, Doda, Ramban, Pulwama, Jammu, Poonch and Srinagar, with the process of staff recruitment underway.
The Economic Survey notes that free bus services for women on all government-owned public transport, including e-buses, were introduced with effect from April 1, 2025.
Under Mission Vatsalya, the government provides financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per month to 5,000 vulnerable children living with extended families or biological relatives. To strengthen the child-friendly justice system, 20 Juvenile Justice Boards and 20 Child Welfare Committees were upgraded. A total of 136 Child Care Institutions, including 86 government-run and 50 NGO-run facilities, are operational across the Union Territory. Eight Vatsalya Sadans were approved during 2024–25 and 2025–26, while 10 child helpdesks at railway stations and 17 helpdesks at bus stands were approved for 2025–26.
During 2025–26, the Department conducted 273 camps for senior citizens, with the participation of 9,376 individuals.
Under the Drug Demand Reduction Campaign and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the programme conducted 12,565 activities, covering 8,203 villages and 24,166 educational institutions. Four drug de-addiction centres are operational in Rajouri, Kulgam, Bandipora and Pulwama.
For persons with disabilities, the Social Welfare Department runs two schools for visually impaired children in Jammu and one school for speech and hearing impaired children in Srinagar. A Halfway Home in Jammu has been made functional, while construction has been completed in Ganderbal. Disability certificates and UDID cards were issued to 2.25 lakh persons, and two Composite Regional Centres, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, are operational.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana, 357 villages were selected for development during 2025–26, of which 257 villages were declared Adarsh Gram. Village Development Plans were formulated and approved for 349 villages.
The survey states that under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, 52,079 beneficiaries were enrolled up to November 2025, including 36,922 first-time mothers and 15,157 second girl children. The Ladli Beti scheme covered 16,165 cases during the current financial year.
The Marriage Assistance Scheme was extended to all eligible beneficiaries, with the educational qualification bar removed. Financial assistance was enhanced from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 for girls of marriageable age belonging to AAY families. A total of 44,301 beneficiaries have been covered under the scheme so far, with Rs 234 crore disbursed.
On rural development, the survey reports that employment generation under MGNREGA resulted in 374.89 lakh man-days during 2023–24, 401.04 lakh man-days during 2024–25, and 235.61 lakh man-days during 2025–26 up to November 2025. For the current financial year, 50 additional days of employment beyond the standard 100 days were approved for areas affected by natural calamities.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin, 3.36 lakh beneficiaries were targeted, of which 3.21 lakh houses have been constructed so far. Housing assistance disbursements increased from Rs 440 crore up to 2024–25 to Rs 511.84 crore up to November 2025.
The survey further notes that Jammu and Kashmir has maintained Open Defecation Free status since 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin. During 2023–24 to 2025–26 up to November 2025, 1,730 Community Sanitary Complexes and 1,02,379 Individual Household Latrines were constructed or completed, with an expenditure of Rs 102.38 crore.
