Jammu & Kashmir Welfare and Development Schemes and Budget Update 2026-27

Policy Update
Vishal Kumar

Introduction

Jammu & Kashmir’s welfare and development framework combines social protection with interventions in agriculture, healthcare, women’s mobility, renewable energy, property, education and traditional crafts. The schemes span different periods, with several older programmes continuing alongside newer measures introduced or expanded in 2025-26 and 2026-27.
The 2026-27 Budget estimates total expenditure at ₹1,13,767 crore, comprising ₹80,640 crore in revenue expenditure and ₹33,127 crore in capital expenditure. The Budget therefore provides the wider fiscal context for assessing both continuing welfare commitments and newer interventions. The following assessment focuses on the objectives, financial scale, implementation and 2026-27 policy relevance of the schemes. Table 1: Key Fiscal Indicators for Jammu & Kashmir (2026–27 

Source: Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Budget 2026-27; PRS Legislative Research, Jammu and Kashmir Budget Analysis 2026-27.

Existing Schemes and Programmes – Jammu and Kashmir 

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir continues to implement a range of existing schemes and programmes across different sectors. These initiatives, introduced over different periods, remain important components of the administration’s ongoing efforts towards socio-economic development, public service delivery and welfare. 

The figure below presents the various departments of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, grouped under their respective broad administrative ministries/sectors. 

Source: Government of Jammu and Kashmir’s General Administration Department and Integrated Government Online Directory (IGOD).

The following section outlines the major existing schemes and programmes administered or implemented through the respective departments. 

Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department

MGNREGA, PMAY-Gramin, PMGSY, NRLM (Umeed), Back-to-Village and 15th Finance Commission devolution to PRIs.
Functional Accounting Head: 2505 (Rural Employment) / 2515 (Other Rural Development Programmes)
Launch Year/Period: MGNREGA extended to J&K in 2007; PMAY-G in 2016; PMGSY in 2000; Umeed/NRLM in 2013; Back-to-Village in 2019.
Statutory Allocation (FY 2026-27): ₹4,565.70 crore

Agriculture Production & Farmers’ Welfare Department

Core crop schemes, PM-KISAN and crop insurance (RWBIS).
Functional Accounting Head: 2401 (Crop Husbandry)
Launch Year/Period: PM-KISAN in 2019; RWBIS ongoing since its restructuring in 2016-17.
Statutory Allocation: ₹2,423.86 crore

Horticulture Department

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
Functional Accounting Head: 2401 (Crop Husbandry – Horticulture)
Launch Year/Period: 2014-15
Statutory Allocation: ₹696.48 crore

Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department

National Livestock Mission.
Functional Accounting Head: 2403 (Animal Husbandry)
Launch Year/Period: 2014-15; restructured in 2021-22.
Statutory Allocation: ₹1,160.41 crore

Fisheries Department

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Functional Accounting Head: 2405 (Fisheries)
Launch Year/Period: September 2020
Statutory Allocation: ₹206.21 crore

Cooperative Department

PACS computerisation and revival of the cooperative credit structure.
Functional Accounting Head: 2425 (Co-operation)
Launch Year/Period: PACS computerisation began in 2023.
Statutory Allocation: ₹266.11 crore

Agriculture / Horticulture / Animal Husbandry Department

Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) – capital component.
Functional Accounting Head: 2401 (Crop Husbandry), with 2403/2401 sub-heads
Launch Year/Period: February 2021; five-year programme, 2021-26.
Statutory Allocation: ₹1,878 crore capital outlay

School Education Department

Samagra Shiksha and PM POSHAN (mid-day meal).
Functional Accounting Head: 2202 (General Education)
Launch Year/Period: Samagra Shiksha in 2018; PM POSHAN rebranded in 2021, with the original Mid-Day Meal Scheme dating to 1995.
Statutory Allocation: ₹12,988.72 crore

Higher Education Department

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
Functional Accounting Head: 2202 (General Education)
Launch Year/Period: 2013
Statutory Allocation: ₹2,150.16 crore

Health & Medical Education Department

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT and National Health Mission.
Functional Accounting Head: 2210 (Medical and Public Health)
Launch Year/Period: SEHAT in December 2020; NHM in 2013.
Statutory Allocation: ₹8,654.77 crore

Social Welfare Department

Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 (ICDS) and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
Functional Accounting Head: 2235 (Social Security & Welfare) / 2236 (Nutrition)
Launch Year/Period: ICDS in 1975 and rebranded under Poshan 2.0 in 2021-22; NSAP in 1995.
Statutory Allocation: ₹4,456.72 crore

Jal Shakti (Public Health Engineering) Department

Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), specifically departmental capital expenditure.
Functional Accounting Head: 2215 (Water Supply and Sanitation)
Launch Year/Period: August 2019; extended to December 2028 under JJM 2.0.
Statutory Allocation: ₹1,561.90 crore

Jal Shakti (Irrigation & Flood Control) Department

Flood Management and Border Areas Programme.
Functional Accounting Head: 2701/2702 (Irrigation) / 2711 (Flood Control)
Launch Year/Period: 2017
Statutory Allocation: ₹1,607 crore

Forest, Ecology & Environment Department

Green India Mission and Compensatory Afforestation.
Functional Accounting Head: 2406 (Forestry and Wild Life)
Launch Year/Period: Green India Mission in 2014; CAMPA in 2016.
Statutory Allocation: ₹1,524.82 crore

Tribal Affairs Department

PM-JANMAN and Tribal Sub-Plan schemes.
Functional Accounting Head: 2225 (Welfare of SC/ST/OBC & Minorities)
Launch Year/Period: PM-JANMAN in November 2023; Tribal Sub-Plan mechanism is much older.
Statutory Allocation: ₹406.01 crore

Power Development Department

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Functional Accounting Head: 2801 (Power)
Launch Year/Period: July 2021
Statutory Allocation: ₹12,543.84 crore

Housing & Urban Development Department

PMAY-Urban, AMRUT 2.0 and Smart Cities Mission for Srinagar and Jammu.
Functional Accounting Head: 2216 (Housing) / 2217 (Urban Development)
Launch Year/Period: PMAY-U and AMRUT in 2015; Smart Cities Mission in 2017.
Statutory Allocation: ₹4,227.84 crore

Tourism Department

Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD and destination development schemes.
Functional Accounting Head: 3452 (Tourism)
Launch Year/Period: Swadesh Darshan in 2014-15.
Statutory Allocation: ₹666.23 crore

Culture Department

J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and heritage/culture promotion.
Functional Accounting Head: 2205 (Art and Culture)
Launch Year/Period: Academy established in 1958.
Statutory Allocation: ₹176.22 crore

Public Works (R&B) Department

Road network maintenance and PMGSY convergence.
Functional Accounting Head: 3054 (Roads and Bridges)
Launch Year/Period: Ongoing departmental mandate.
Statutory Allocation: ₹5,298.43 crore

Industries & Commerce Department

New Startup Policy 2024-27, ODOP, handloom and handicraft schemes.
Functional Accounting Head: 2851 (Village & Small Industries) / 2852 (Industries)
Launch Year/Period: Startup Policy in February 2024; ODOP in 2018.
Statutory Allocation: ₹866.16 crore

Labour & Employment Department

e-Shram registration and labour welfare schemes.
Functional Accounting Head: 2230 (Labour, Employment & Skill Development)
Launch Year/Period: e-Shram in 2021.
Statutory Allocation: ₹285.26 crore

Skill Development Department

Mission Youth, focusing on entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Functional Accounting Head: 2230 (Labour, Employment & Skill Development)
Launch Year/Period: 2019
Statutory Allocation: ₹198.82 crore

Mining Department

District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and related mining initiatives.
Functional Accounting Head: 2853 (Non-ferrous Mining & Metallurgical Industries)
Launch Year/Period: DMF introduced in 2015 through the MMDR amendment.
Statutory Allocation: ₹64.93 crore

Information Technology Department

Digital India and e-Governance.
Functional Accounting Head: 2852 (Industries – IT sub-head)
Launch Year/Period: Digital India in 2015.
Statutory Allocation: ₹74.63 crore

Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department

National Food Security Act (NFSA), PMGKAY and SMART PDS.
Functional Accounting Head: 2408 (Food Storage & Warehousing) / 3456 (Civil Supplies)
Launch Year/Period: NFSA in 2013; PMGKAY in 2020.
Statutory Allocation: ₹543.89 crore

Transport Department

Motor vehicle regulation and JKRTC public transport.
Functional Accounting Head: 3055 (Road Transport)
Launch Year/Period: Ongoing departmental mandate.
Statutory Allocation: ₹126.46 crore

Youth Services & Sports Department

Khelo India, Khel Gaon and district sports infrastructure.
Functional Accounting Head: 2204 (Sports and Youth Services)
Launch Year/Period: Khelo India in 2018.
Statutory Allocation: ₹680.10 crore

Science & Technology Department

State Council for Science & Technology programmes.
Functional Accounting Head: 3425 (Other Scientific Research)
Launch Year/Period: Council established in 1985.
Statutory Allocation: ₹189.72 crore

Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Department

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Functional Accounting Head: 2245 (Relief on account of Natural Calamities)
Launch Year/Period: SDRF operates under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Statutory Allocation: ₹1,460.98 crore

Budget 2026-27

The Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2026-27 sets out the administration’s priorities for economic development, infrastructure, public services and social welfare in the Union Territory. It builds on ongoing programmes while introducing new initiatives aimed at strengthening tourism, agriculture, education, healthcare, connectivity, urban development and employment. Given below are the major schemes and programmes of Budgett 2026-27 of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir

Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department

Scheme/Programme: Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Mission
Functional Accounting Head: 2401 – Crop Husbandry
Launch Year: 2026
Statutory Allocation: ₹10 crore

Scheme/Programme: 25% Top-up Subsidy for Micro and Sprinkler Irrigation
Functional Accounting Head: 2401 – Crop Husbandry
Launch Year: 2026
Statutory Allocation: ₹116.86 crore

Scheme/Programme: Controlled Atmosphere Storage Subsidy
Functional Accounting Head: 2408 – Food Storage and Warehousing
Launch Year: 2026
Statutory Allocation: ₹600 crore

Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department

Scheme/Programme: Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) Laboratories
Functional Accounting Head: 2403 – Animal Husbandry
Launch Year: 2026
Statutory Allocation: ₹65 crore

Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department

Scheme/Programme: Six Free LPG Cylinders for AAY Families
Functional Accounting Head: 3456 – Civil Supplies
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹543.89 crore (Department grant)

Health & Medical Education Department

Scheme/Programme: Cancer Control Strategy for J&K
Functional Accounting Head: 2210 – Medical and Public Health
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹8,654.77 crore (Department grant)

Scheme/Programme: Cath Labs at GMC Rajouri, Baramulla & Doda
Functional Accounting Head: 4210 – Capital Outlay on Medical and Public Health
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹30 crore

Scheme/Programme: Emergency & Accident Hospitals at Uri and Poonch
Functional Accounting Head: 4210 – Capital Outlay on Medical and Public Health
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹8,654.77 crore (Department grant)

Scheme/Programme: Bullet-proof Ambulances for Border Districts
Functional Accounting Head: 4210 – Capital Outlay on Medical and Public Health
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹8,654.77 crore (Department grant)

Higher Education Department

Scheme/Programme: Fee Waiver for AAY Students (UG)
Functional Accounting Head: 2202 – General Education
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹2,150.16 crore (Department grant)

School Education Department

Scheme/Programme: Fee Waiver for AAY Students, Classes IX-XII
Functional Accounting Head: 2202 – General Education
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹12,988.72 crore (Department grant)

Scheme/Programme: Indoor Games Facilities in Government Schools
Functional Accounting Head: 2202 – General Education
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹18 crore

Industries & Commerce Department

Scheme/Programme: JKTPO Buyer-Seller Meets & Market Linkage
Functional Accounting Head: 2851 – Village and Small Industries
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹866.16 crore (Department grant)

Transport Department

Scheme/Programme: Free Government Transport for Persons with Disabilities
Functional Accounting Head: 3055 – Road Transport
Launch Year: 2026-27
Statutory Allocation: ₹126.46 crore (Department grant)

Tourism Department

Scheme/Programme: Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra Infrastructure Modernisation
Functional Accounting Head: 5452 – Capital Outlay on Tourism
Launch Year: 2026
Statutory Allocation: ₹180 crore

Social Welfare Department

Scheme/Programme: Sponsorship Scheme for Orphan Children
Functional Accounting Head: 2235 – Social Security and Welfare
Launch Year: 2026
Statutory Allocation: ₹28.80 crore

Policy Assessment

The schemes show a combination of long-term welfare programmes and newer Budget interventions. ISSS and AB-PMJAY SEHAT focus primarily on social protection, while HADP and artisan programmes seek to strengthen productive livelihoods. The newer 2026-27 measures increasingly address household costs through energy subsidies, mobility support and educational fee waivers.

The main evaluation issue is the distinction between allocation, implementation and outcome. A sanctioned solar system is not the same as electricity generated; registration under a welfare programme is not the same as receiving benefits; and agricultural expenditure is not automatically equivalent to higher farm income.

For 2026-27, programme monitoring should therefore track four stages: financial allocation, beneficiary coverage, physical implementation and measurable welfare outcomes. This provides a stronger basis for determining whether public expenditure is translating into improved income security, access to services, household savings and productive opportunities across Jammu & Kashmir.

References

Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (2009). Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on civil services, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for the year ended 31 March 2009. Government of Jammu and Kashmir. https://cag.gov.in/webroot/uploads/download_audit_report/2009/Jammu_Kashmir_Civil_2009.pdf

Government of Jammu and Kashmir. (2026). Budget speech 2026-27. Finance Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
https://jakfinance.jk.gov.in/budget2026-27.html

Government of Jammu and Kashmir. (2026). Economic Survey 2025-26. Planning Development and Monitoring Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. https://jkplanning.gov.in/jk-economic-survey1.html

Government of Jammu and Kashmir, State Health Agency. (n.d.). AB PM-JAY SEHAT. Ayushman Bharat Jammu & Kashmir.
https://www.jkpmjaysehat.co.in/pmjaysehat.php

Government of Jammu and Kashmir, State Health Agency. (n.d.). About State Health Agency. Ayushman Bharat Jammu & Kashmir.
https://www.jkpmjaysehat.co.in/about.php

Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Social Welfare Department. (n.d.). Social Welfare Department. District Samba, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
https://samba.gov.in/social-welfare-dept/

Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs. (2021). Unstarred question no. 2778: Development of handicrafts and handlooms sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Rajya Sabha, Government of India.
https://www.mha.gov.in/MHA1/Par2017/pdfs/par2021-pdfs/rs-22122021/2778.pdf

Indian Express. (2025, April 1). For education, shopping or picnic: Omar Abdullah launches free bus service for women across J-K.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/omar-abdullah-launches-free-bus-service-for-women-across-j-k-9918882/

Jammu and Kashmir Planning Development and Monitoring Department. (2025). Economic Survey 2024-25. Government of Jammu and Kashmir. https://jkplanning.gov.in/pdf/Economic%20Survey%202024-25.pdf

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. (2021). Potential linked plan 2021-22: Jammu and Kashmir. https://www.nabard.org/auth/writereaddata/careernotices/2310202103policy%20initiative-%20State%20Govt..pdf

PRS Legislative Research. (2026). Jammu and Kashmir budget analysis 2026-27. https://prsindia.org/budgets/states/jammu-and-kashmir-budget-analysis-2026-27

The Print. (2025, April 1). J-K CM Abdullah launches free bus service for women, fulfils key budget announcement.
https://theprint.in/india/j-k-cm-abdullah-launches-free-bus-service-for-women-fulfils-key-budget-announcement/2574500/

About the Contributor

Vishal Kumar is a Research & Editorial Intern at IMPRI. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. His research interests include Political Economy, Political Theory, Political Philosophy and Governance issues.

Acknowledgement

The author would like to extend his gratitude to the reviewers and IMPRI for their guidance throughout the process.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for academic purposes only. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IMPRI or any government institution.

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