Himayat Scheme

The Himayat Scheme is a special initiative under the national skill development framework of India designed to promote employment generation, skill training, and entrepreneurship among youth in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (and Ladakh). It forms a key component of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and is aimed at addressing the problem of youth unemployment by linking skill development directly with job placement opportunities. The scheme operates with the twin objectives of enhancing employability and fostering inclusive growth in the socio-economically sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Background and inception

The Himayat Scheme was launched in 2011 as part of the broader Prime Minister’s Special Package for Jammu and Kashmir, a development initiative focused on economic reconstruction and youth empowerment in the aftermath of prolonged regional unrest. The scheme emerged from the recognition that a large section of educated youth in the state lacked the vocational and technical skills required for formal employment.
While DDU-GKY operates across India, Himayat was conceptualised as a region-specific adaptation that catered to the distinct demographic and socio-economic conditions of Jammu and Kashmir. It sought to build confidence among young people by equipping them with market-relevant skills and by facilitating placements in both public and private sectors.

Objectives of the scheme

The principal objectives of the Himayat Scheme are:

• To provide skill-based training to unemployed youth, particularly from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• To ensure job placement for at least 70% of the trained candidates in reputed organisations across India.
• To promote self-employment and entrepreneurship through training, financial literacy, and access to credit facilities.
• To bridge the gap between education and employability by aligning local skills with national and global market requirements.
• To encourage social inclusion by prioritising women, minorities, and other vulnerable groups.

Key features and implementation mechanism

Himayat functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, and is implemented by the Himayat Mission Management Unit (HMMU) under the Rural Development Department of Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme follows the same operational framework as DDU-GKY but with adaptations to the local context.
Key features include:

• Target group: Unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 35 years, with special emphasis on school and college dropouts.
• Training model: Residential and non-residential training programmes conducted through Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) accredited by the Ministry. Training is provided in diverse sectors such as hospitality, retail, construction, healthcare, IT-enabled services, and automobile maintenance.
• Placement assurance: Each PIA is contractually obliged to ensure a minimum of 70% job placement for trained candidates.
• Funding pattern: The scheme is centrally sponsored, with the Union Government providing 100% funding for training, infrastructure, and placement support.
• Capacity building: Continuous monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms ensure that training is standardised and outcomes are measurable.
• Post-placement support: Financial assistance is provided for a period after employment to facilitate adjustment and mobility, especially for candidates placed outside the region.

Training partners and monitoring structure

The scheme operates through partnerships with both government and private sector training organisations. National-level institutions and reputed skill providers collaborate with local bodies to design and deliver job-oriented curricula. Training centres are established across various districts, ensuring accessibility to rural youth.
The monitoring and evaluation process includes:

• Periodic field inspections and audits by the Himayat Mission Management Unit (HMMU).
• A Management Information System (MIS) for tracking enrolment, training, placement, and retention data.
• Coordination with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for quality standards and certification.

Impact and achievements

Since its inception, the Himayat Scheme has made measurable contributions to youth development and employment generation in Jammu and Kashmir. Notable outcomes include:

• Skill training for thousands of youth: Large numbers of young men and women have been trained in market-relevant skills.
• Placement across India: Many trainees have secured employment in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, telecommunications, and retail, both within Jammu and Kashmir and in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.
• Women’s participation: The scheme has encouraged significant participation of women, contributing to social empowerment and gender equity.
• Entrepreneurial development: Several beneficiaries have started their own small businesses or service enterprises after completing the training.

The scheme has also played a crucial role in reducing regional alienation by connecting youth with mainstream economic opportunities and by promoting confidence in institutional mechanisms of governance and development.

Challenges in implementation

Despite its achievements, the Himayat Scheme has faced several operational and contextual challenges:

• Infrastructure limitations: In certain remote districts, the lack of adequate training facilities and equipment has affected the quality of instruction.
• Retention and mobility issues: Many trainees experience difficulty adjusting to jobs outside the region due to cultural and climatic differences, leading to high attrition rates.
• Awareness gap: Limited awareness about the scheme among rural youth and families sometimes restricts participation.
• Coordination difficulties: Synchronising activities between multiple implementing agencies, training partners and placement agencies can create administrative bottlenecks.
• Sustainability concerns: Ensuring long-term employability and career growth for trained candidates remains an ongoing challenge.

The government has taken corrective steps, such as enhancing monitoring systems, improving training quality, and establishing local placement options to increase sustainability.

Linkages with other national programmes

The Himayat Scheme complements several national initiatives, including:

• Skill India Mission – promoting vocational training and certification through standardised curricula.
• Startup India and Stand Up India – facilitating entrepreneurship among trained youth.
• Digital India – encouraging digital literacy and IT-enabled employment opportunities.
• Make in India – supporting industrial and service sector growth that can absorb skilled manpower.

By aligning with these larger frameworks, Himayat ensures that its training modules are consistent with national occupational standards and market trends.

Socio-economic significance

Himayat has contributed substantially to socio-economic development in Jammu and Kashmir by:

• Reducing unemployment and underemployment among educated youth.
• Encouraging peace and stability by addressing economic frustrations and providing constructive livelihoods.
• Empowering women and marginalised communities through access to skills and income.
• Creating a trained workforce that attracts investment and supports regional industries.