India is a country with a significant population of educated unemployed youth, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the calculations of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), a private institution, the current unemployment rate in India is approximately 8.3%. The rate varies depending on the location, with a higher rate of 10.09% in urban areas and a lower rate of 7.44% in rural areas. On 1st January 2023, CMIE publicly disclosed both daily and monthly unemployment rates for India.
The 16th Periodic Labour Force Survey by the National Statistical Office reports that in the second fiscal quarter, which ended on September 30, the unemployment rate in urban areas of India for those 15 years or older decreased from 9.8% to 7.2%, indicating a continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that had caused job losses for many people. Specifically, the female unemployment rate in urban areas dropped from 11.6% to 9.4%, while the male unemployment rate fell from 9.3% to 6.6% compared to the previous year. However, according to the latest data from CMIE, which was made public on January 1st, 2023, Jammu and Kashmir has an unemployment rate of 14.8%.
The problem of unemployment has been a challenge in the country for several decades, and it is particularly pronounced among the youth who have obtained higher education degrees.
This issue has been acknowledged by the government, and various schemes have been implemented to provide employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth in UT Jammu and Kashmir and in India.
One of the most important schemes for the educated unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir is the Entrepreneurship Development Program (JKEDI). The scheme is initiated by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide training and support to potential entrepreneurs in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly to those who belong to economically weaker sections. The scheme offers a range of training programs that focus on various aspects of entrepreneurship, including developing business plans, financial management, marketing, and product development.
The JKEDI scheme offers both theoretical and practical training to the participants, enabling them to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to start and run their own businesses. The scheme also provides financial support to the participants by offering subsidized loans from various banks, which can be utilized to set up their business ventures. The scheme has been a great success, and it has helped many educated unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir to become self-employed and generate employment opportunities for others as well.
The Institute also provides financial assistance in the form of loans to entrepreneurs through various schemes such as the Seed Capital Fund Scheme, Youth Startup Loan Scheme, Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme, Technology Business Incubation Scheme and Term Loan Scheme. The aim of these schemes is to provide financial support to entrepreneurs who have viable business ideas. Overall, these schemes offered by JKEDI aim to provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. These initiatives have played a significant role in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in the region.
Another scheme that has been introduced to address the issue of unemployment among the educated youth in Jammu and Kashmir is the Himayat scheme. This scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and it aims to provide training and employment opportunities to the youth in the state who have completed their higher education. The scheme provides training in a range of areas, including agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and handicrafts.
The scheme offers both short-term and long-term training programs, depending on the skill sets of the participants. The participants are also provided with stipends during the training period, which helps them to sustain themselves financially. After completing the training program, the participants are placed in various job roles, and the scheme provides placement support as well. The Himayat scheme has been a significant success in Jammu and Kashmir, and it has provided employment opportunities to thousands of educated unemployed youth in the state.
Apart from the schemes specific to UT Jammu and Kashmir, several schemes have been launched by the government of India to provide employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth across the country. One of the most significant schemes in this regard is the National Career Service (NCS). The NCS is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, and it aims to provide a range of employment-related services to job seekers and employers.
The NCS offers a range of services, including job matching, career counselling, vocational training, and skill development. The scheme provides a platform for job seekers and employers to connect with each other, enabling job seekers to access a range of job opportunities across various industries. The scheme also provides career counseling services to help job seekers identify their strengths and weaknesses and choose a career path that is aligned with their interests and skill sets.
Another scheme launched by the government of India to address the issue of unemployment among the educated youth is the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). This scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and it aims to provide vocational training to the youth across the country. The scheme offers a range of training programs in various sectors, including healthcare, hospitality, construction, and electronics.
The PMKVY scheme provides financial support to the participants by offering stipends during the training period, and it also provides placement
The government of India has implemented various schemes to support the unemployed youth of the country. These schemes are aimed at creating employment opportunities, providing training, and supporting the self-employment ventures of the youth. However, the success of these schemes depends on the preparedness of the youth to take advantage of them.
The government needs to promote these schemes through various channels such as television, social media, and print media. They should conduct awareness campaigns in schools and colleges to inform the youth about the benefits of these schemes. This will help the unemployed youth to identify the right scheme for their needs and take advantage of them.
Government should incentivize the success of these schemes. They can provide rewards and recognition to the youth who have succeeded in their ventures. This will motivate other youth to take advantage of these schemes and work towards their success.
The youth also need to mentally prepare themselves to take advantage of these schemes. They should be proactive in seeking information, identify the right scheme for their needs, acquire the necessary skills, and work hard towards their success. With the right support and preparation, the youth of India can benefit from these schemes and contribute to the growth and development of the country.

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