Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has a multi-pronged roadmap for 2026 and the years ahead, focusing heavily on the skilling ecosystem, economic development (tourism, industry), infrastructure, and governance
In a major initiative aimed at making the population of J&K future-ready for emerging employment opportunities, the Skill Development Department Tuesday presented a comprehensive and forward-looking roadmap to Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo to transform the skilling ecosystem of the UT. The meeting was attended by Vice-Chancellors of local Universities, Director IIM Jammu, Managing Director, J&K Bank, Secretary, Education; MD, Skill Mission and representatives from premier institutions including IIT, NIFT and other reputed academic and professional institutions.
Reviewing the roadmap Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir highlighted the importance of establishing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to enhance employment opportunities in the region. He proposed the development of fellowship programs to cultivate a skilled workforce. While appreciating the roadmap’s inclusive framework for skilling various population segments, he urged for a more practical and outcome-driven approach, with clearly defined roles for all involved institutions, including prestigious national entities. Emphasizing employability, the Chief Secretary called for stronger industry-academia linkages to ensure that skilling programs are market-aligned and future-ready. He directed that the roadmap be shared with stakeholders, including universities and government departments, to gather feedback for a more effective final document. The Skill Development Department’s Secretary outlined a five-year plan aimed at empowering approximately 1.4 million individuals through industry-aligned skilling, promoting inclusive growth and economic resilience. The roadmap includes specific targets: exposure to skilling for 600,000 to 700,000 school students, structured courses for 200,000 to 250,000 college students, and technical training for 500,000 to 600,000 youth and working-age individuals. It is organized into four integrated tracks addressing different stages of the skilling lifecycle. The first track focuses on foundational skilling in schools, introducing vocational skills and workplace readiness to students from Classes 6 to 12 through various structured activities. The second track, aimed at college students and recent graduates, proposes minor skilling courses, internships, and coaching for competitive exams, with a focus on bridging the education-employment gap. The third track enhances technical skilling by strengthening ITIs and polytechnics, introducing diversified courses and flexible training pathways. The fourth track promotes upskilling for the existing workforce, particularly in the informal sector, and emphasizes lifelong learning and recognition of prior learning. Additionally, a unified job listing platform for youth in Jammu & Kashmir is proposed to streamline job discovery and enhance employment opportunities, including international placements. This platform will integrate various job ecosystems and facilitate overseas employment through partnerships and resource centers. A two-tier recruitment model is also suggested to cover both international and national placements, supported by collaborations with job portals and district employment offices. Stakeholders contributed valuable insights on improving institutional frameworks and ensuring coordinated implementation to make the skilling ecosystem successful across Jammu & Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah laid the foundation stone of development projects worth ₹119 crore and conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing and upcoming works of the Public Works (Roads & Buildings) Department in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the review meeting, the Chief Minister assessed the progress of key infrastructure projects, including road connectivity, bridges, and public buildings, aimed at improving transportation and civic facilities across the Union Territory. He emphasised the need for timely completion, quality construction, and transparent execution of all works.
Omar Abdullah directed officials to prioritise projects that directly impact public convenience, especially in rural and far-flung areas. He also stressed adherence to engineering standards and accountability at every stage of implementation.
Senior officers of the PW (R&B) Department briefed the Chief Minister on the status of ongoing projects, budget utilisation, and challenges faced on the ground. The Chief Minister sought regular monitoring and better inter-departmental coordination to avoid delays.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure, Omar Abdullah said robust road and building networks are essential for economic growth, tourism promotion, and improved service delivery in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said the newly launched projects are expected to generate employment opportunities and significantly enhance connectivity and public infrastructure in the region.
The Chief Minister unveiled the 2026 calendars of the Tourism Department and the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation at the Civil Secretariat.
The calendars highlight prominent tourist destinations and tourism-related infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. Congratulating the concerned departments, the Chief Minister observed that such initiatives would contribute significantly to the promotion and wider publicity of Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism potential.
“These calendars are not merely annual publications; they are visual narratives of Jammu and Kashmir’s natural beauty and evolving tourism infrastructure,” he observed.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the official website of the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir. The portal has been designed to publicise tourism events and destinations, maintain digital archives, and provide comprehensive information related to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The website also integrates useful links to Jammu Tourism, JKTDC, J&K Cable Car Corporation and other allied organisations, offering all relevant information on a single platform.
The Chief Minister said a modern, dynamic digital presence is crucial for effective outreach. “The new Tourism Kashmir website would be informative and will serve as a comprehensive, single-window platform for tourists and stakeholders alike,” he said.
Also, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Integrated Skiing Course at Gulmarg and Sonamarg, comprising two batches of 32 and 25 trainees respectively. He was informed that the basic skiing course has a duration of 14 days and is aimed for trainees in the age group of 12 to 18 years.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Ashish Chandra Verma, Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajad, who is also MD JKCCC, Director Tourism Jammu Dr Vikas Gupta, Managing Director J&K Tourism Development Corporation Shreya Singhal, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Key Areas and Roadmaps for J&K
Skilling and Employment: A comprehensive, five-year integrated roadmap to transform the skilling ecosystem has been finalised. The goal is to empower nearly 14 lakh (1.4 million) individuals through industry-aligned skilling, enhancing employability and long-term economic resilience.
Targets: Expose 6-7 lakh school students to skilling, offer structured courses to 2-2.5 lakh college students, and provide technical/short-term skilling to 5-6 lakh youth and working-age individuals.
Initiatives: This includes the expansion of the Karkhandar Scheme, universal coverage under the Artisan Credit Card (ACC), and the development of PM Unity Malls in Srinagar and Jammu for direct market access for local products.
Economic and Industrial Development: The roadmap emphasizes alignment of industrial development with local strengths, such as agriculture processing, handicrafts, and renewable energy.
Focus Sectors: Agriculture processing, handlooms, horticulture, and tourism are key areas for investment.
Promoting ‘Brand J&K’: Efforts are underway to register 13 traditional crafts for Geographical Indication (GI) recognition to protect and promote local heritage products like Pashmina and Saffron globally.
Tourism: The government aims to manage pilgrimage tourism more sustainably and has unveiled initiatives to promote new tourist destinations.
Infrastructure and Governance: Sustained investment in roads, power supply, water systems, and digital connectivity is a priority for 2026 onwards.
Key Focus: Quality, durability, and timely completion of infrastructure projects, alongside financial discipline and transparent fund usage.
Electoral Politics: The restoration of full democratic process through Urban Local Body and Panchayat polls remains a prominent political discussion point.
Social Issues: The administration faces ongoing challenges, including high youth unemployment and demands from various worker associations for the regularisation of casual and contractual employees, a process the government is actively working on
