By: MOHAMMAD AKRAM

The growth and development of a country are directly linked to its youth population. Over the years, it has been observed that countries with higher percentages of youth, such as China, have experienced rapid growth. Contemporary economists, particularly in welfare states, consider the youth population when making developmental plans for their respective countries. Since youth constitute the majority of the workforce, investing in them yields better dividends. Education, health, and skills are key areas for harnessing the potential of youth. Since independence, India has adopted a planned economy, initially through the Planning Commission of India and more recently through the NITI Aayog. In every economic sector, goals and targets are set to be achieved within specified time frames to employ the workforce. Both the central and State/UT governments allocate their resources to upgrade the skills of youth, enabling them to compete in the global market.

Recently, the government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir launched Mission Youth to provide employability opportunities to its youth, who constitute approximately 69% of the total population of the UT (Census 2011). The Mission comprises various schemes and policies focusing on livelihood generation, skill development, education, recreational and social engagements, counselling, and........

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