Maj Gen RPS Bhadauria (Retd)
In the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has undergone a transformative shift: one that is rooted not in politics but in people-centric development.
Contrasting India’s inclusive agenda is Pakistan’s longstanding strategy of exploiting youth through radicalisation, misinformation, and systemic neglect in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
While Pakistan continues to foster instability and despair across the Line of Control (LoC), India’s investment in healthcare and education in J&K is quietly but powerfully reshaping the future of an entire generation.
Pakistan’s Weaponisation of Youth
Pakistan’s proxy war in J&K has historically hinged on recruiting vulnerable youth into its ecosystem of terror. By pushing narratives of alienation and repression, amplified by online propaganda, Pakistan’s deep state has sought to divert young minds from progress toward militancy.
Meanwhile, the youth in PoJK suffer from substandard education, poor infrastructure, and minimal healthcare: conditions that perpetuate poverty and deepen disenfranchisement.
In contrast, India’s post-370 approach has been centred on empowering the youth through access to quality education, modern healthcare, and infrastructure-led economic opportunities.
The result: a palpable shift in aspirations from stone-pelting to software programming, from disillusionment to determination.
Healthcare: Delivering Dignity and Hope
Access to affordable and quality healthcare has long been a challenge in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). However, since the reorganisation of the erstwhile state, the Indian government has made healthcare a cornerstone of its development push.
Ayushman Bharat – SEHAT Scheme: Launched in December 2020, the SEHAT (Social, Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine) scheme under Ayushman Bharat provides free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year to every resident of J&K. Over 5.5 lakh beneficiaries have already availed treatment, with more than 200 hospitals empanelled, including top-tier institutes from other states. This universal coverage has alleviated the financial burden on low-income families, encouraging them to seek timely medical care.
AIIMS and Medical Colleges Expansion: Two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are being developed in Jammu and Srinagar. Additionally, seven new medical colleges have been sanctioned, with five already operational. The cumulative intake capacity for MBBS students in the region has risen from 500 in 2018 to over 1,100 in 2024. This not only fosters future healthcare professionals within the region but also generates employment and helps curb brain drain.
District Hospitals and Wellness Centres: Under the National Health Mission (NHM), more than 200 health and wellness centres have been established in remote areas. Telemedicine services, mobile medical units, and the deployment of specialist doctors in tribal and border regions have dramatically improved access to diagnostics, maternal health, and child care. In areas like Kupwara and Poonch, where tertiary care was once a distant dream, patients now have doorstep access to advanced treatment.
Education: From Marginalisation to Mainstreaming
Pakistan’s narrative often paints J&K youth as marginalised and voiceless. However, recent educational reforms and outreach programs prove the opposite.
Infrastructure Overhaul and New Institutions: Since 2019, over 1,500 school buildings have been upgraded, and more than 50 new degree colleges have been set up across the UT. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu have emerged as centres of excellence since 2019, attracting students from across the country and enabling local youth to access world-class education without having to leave their home state. New campuses of the two major specialist education institutions with global stature have begun operating after the abrogation of Article 370.
Scholarship Programmes and Financial Aid: The PM Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) continues to support thousands of J&K students in pursuing professional and technical education outside the UT. More than 20,000 students have benefited from this initiative so far. Additionally, schemes like Hunar Se Rozgar Tak, Skill India, and Digital India are imparting vocational and digital skills that open the door to entrepreneurship and private sector jobs.
Cultural and Technological Integration: The launch of initiatives such as ‘Back to Village’ and ‘Student Exchange Programmes’ has helped Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) students engage with their counterparts in other states, fostering a sense of national unity. Virtual classrooms, smartboards, and digital libraries are bridging the digital divide, especially in remote districts such as Kishtwar, Doda, and Gurez.
Changing Aspirations, Strengthening Belonging
Youth from Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly topping national-level competitive exams and gaining scholarships to study abroad. Stories like that of Insha Mushtaq, who lost her eyesight in a 2016 protest but went on to become a civil services aspirant, or other Kashmiri youth, who joined the Delhi Police after training under Skill India, reflect a decisive shift in the narrative.
Importantly, the Government’s outreach is not limited to urban centres. Tribal youth from the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are now receiving mobile education services, health camps, and seasonal schools in their migratory routes. This holistic inclusion is fostering a sense of trust and belonging, something no propaganda campaign can break.
Development as the Ultimate Counter-Narrative
India’s strategic response to Pakistan’s destabilising agenda in J&K has not been limited to security operations. It has fundamentally reshaped the region’s developmental architecture. By prioritising healthcare and education, the Indian government is not just changing statistics. It is changing lives, aspirations, and identities.
In contrast, Pakistan’s exploitation of youth — through radicalisation, neglect, and repression in PoJK — stands exposed. While Islamabad promotes martyrdom, New Delhi promotes mentorship. As more young Kashmiris trade fear for ambition and militancy for merit, the battle for the soul of J&K is being decisively won, not on the battlefield but in classrooms and clinics.
(The author is the Additional Director General of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi)
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