Jammu, Jan 4: Banks have disbursed Rs 594 crore to over 10,000 entrepreneurs under Mission YUVA, marking a significant milestone in Jammu & Kashmir’s push toward self-reliance and job creation.
According to an official statement, since its launch, the flagship initiative has recorded 1,59,327 registrations and processed 65,353 applications. Through a structured evaluation process, 44,857 proposals were approved, with banks sanctioning 13,324 cases and disbursing funds to 10,329 entrepreneurs.
The Rs 594 crore disbursed represents 77 percent of the total Rs 756.28 crore sanctioned—a conversion rate that underscores operational efficiency. With an average project cost of ₹6.59 lakh, the Mission has focused on inclusive, employment-intensive enterprises accessible to first-time entrepreneurs.
Conceived in alignment with the “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision and developed with IIM Jammu, NABARD and J&K Bank, Mission YUVA emerged from a comprehensive baseline survey covering 24 lakh households that identified 5.5 lakh potential entrepreneurs. The assessment revealed that unemployment stemmed not from lack of ambition but from weak support systems—entrepreneurial intent existed, but guidance, capital access and institutional frameworks were missing.
The Mission aims to facilitate 1.37 lakh enterprises over five years, generating approximately 4.25 lakh employment opportunities through four pathways: Nano Enterprises, new MSMEs in sunrise sectors, acceleration of existing businesses, and promotion of innovative ventures.
Mission YUVA operates on four interconnected pillars. Under Culture, over 2,000 YUVA Doots conducted 5,000 awareness camps across panchayats and urban wards through the Udyam Jagriti campaign, normalizing entrepreneurship as a viable career path, especially for women, first-generation entrepreneurs and youth from remote areas.
The Capital pillar introduced the breakthrough Nano Enterprise concept—small ventures in the ₹5-6 lakh range receiving 25 percent capital subsidy and 5 percent interest subvention. MSMEs in focus sectors like agri-tech, food processing, renewable energy and tourism receive 6 percent interest subvention. Applications now come from over 95 percent of panchayats, correcting the urban bias of earlier schemes.
For Capacity Building, a hybrid training model combines digital content from Skill India Digital Hub with classroom instruction. The curriculum covers entrepreneurship fundamentals, financial literacy, digital skills and AI basics. So far, 5,500 applicants have completed training, 2,500 are currently enrolled, and 1,500 are registered for upcoming batches. Community mentors provide contextual guidance, transforming entrepreneurship into a collective journey.
The Connectivity pillar links enterprises to markets through the J&K Seller App integrated with ONDC, enabling local products to reach national markets. Two Innovation Hubs at IIM Jammu and 14 Incubation Centres across universities provide up to Rs 20 lakh funding for innovative projects.
The Mission YUVA App and Portal, developed by BISAG-N, serves as the digital backbone with an AI-based DPR generator, a Skill Learning Hub with 25,000+ videos, and seamless application tracking. Its Output Tracking framework mandates multi-level verification through Work-in-Progress, Completion and Sustenance Reports. Only verified enterprises appear in the live UDYAM Gallery, ensuring accountability.
Governance is robust, with the Chief Secretary monitoring progress at the apex level. District Level Implementation Committees chaired by Deputy Commissioners oversee proposal scrutiny and bank coordination, while Small Business Development Units and Business Help Desks provide end-to-end support from DPR preparation to post-sanction mentoring.
Mission YUVA has fundamentally reshaped J&K’s economic culture by making entrepreneurship a household aspiration. The Nano Enterprise model, tailored to the Rs 5-6 lakh investment preference identified through surveys, has provided a low-risk entry point for thousands. As the Union Territory advances toward Atmanirbhar Bharat, Mission YUVA demonstrates that with proper institutional architecture and grassroots mobilization, young people can transform from job seekers into job creators.