Opinion | Indian Army boosts youth through sports, skill and carrer counselling

The Indian Army, which has been renowned for its commitment to national service, today taking a leading role in finding a future for the youth of the region. Through sports, vocational training, and career guidance, the Army is empowering thousands of Kashmiri youth to become capable, competent, and independent individuals.

From Baramulla and Shopian to Kargil and Doda, in different towns and villages across the region, the Army is giving youth the chance to dream big, develop, and learn. The initiative is not only helping individuals but also bringing hope and positivity to society that has longed for peace and development for decades.

In sports the Army had organized the Formidable Cricket League at Dobipora Stadium in Shopian. There were over 35 village teams that joined the tournament. Though the cricket was thrilling, the event was not merely a game it united youth from various locations, fostered friendships, and promoted healthy competition. Such events instill a sense of oneness, confidence, and happiness inyoungpeople.

In Doda, a ten-day sports camp was also held in collaboration with Jammu University. The sporting activities involved common Indian games like kabaddi, kho-kho, wrestling, and volleyball. These helped in developing physical fitness as well as the revival of interest in indigenous sports and culture. Youth gathered not only to compete, but to celebrate their heritage and establish new friendships.

The Indian Army held a special volleyball coaching camp in the Pir Panjal district. Approximately 30 girls from surrounding villages participated in the camp. For most of them, it was their first exposure to playing in a professional environment. These types of opportunities are significant because they allow girls to discover their abilities and defy traditional gender roleassumptions.

The establishment of Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSCs) in 2024 was another milestone. The centres train girls in sporting activities such as archery, boxing, shooting, athletics, and weightlifting. The girls in this age group of 12 to 16 are chosen and provided with not only sports training but also education and boarding facilities. This provides them with a comfortable and secure place to develop. Emboldened by this model, numerous girls from Jammu and Kashmir now aspire to work in sports or even become Agniveer’s or officers in the Indian Army. Once confidence and discipline are developed through sports, the Army empowers them with vocational skills for their future careers.

A perfect example in this regard is the Chinar YUVA Centre at Baramulla. The centre was established by the Chinar Corps in association with ONGC, REACHA, and the Aseem Foundation. The centre aims to equip youth with necessary skills to secure decent employment or become entrepreneurs.

Since its inception, the centre has imparted training to more than 5,800 youth of which 680 have been women and trained them in hospitality, information technology, retail, digital literacy, and creative arts. Over 1,000 of the trained youth have been absorbed into employment in various regions of India and even overseas. Approximately 50 others have gone on to establish small-scale enterprises, becoming employment providers themselves.

The centre also possesses a Drug De-Addiction Facility that provides counseling and provides hands-on experience for psychology students. This is yet another example of how the Army is considering young people’s development from every angle health, education, and employment.

Besides Baramulla, Skill Development Centres and Goodwill Schools have also been established by the Army in areas such as Kupwara, Uri, Anantnag, and other districts. These centres provide training in productive trades like computer literacy, carpentry, tailoring, electrical work, and financial literacy. Several youth in these districts are now earning for their families and on their own feet, courtesy these vocational training programs.

Career counseling is also an important component of the Army’s support mechanism. A career counselling session was organized at HSS Khellani in Doda on January, 2025, by the Suhanda Battalion. It assisted 53 students in understanding various career options according to their interests and skills. Most of these students had no idea about the numerous opportunities present before this session.

To access far-flung areas, the Army initiated Carvan Talkies a mobile LED-screen truck that moves from village to village. It shows educational videos, provides information regarding jobs, details Army recruitment processes, and provides interactive quizzes for engaging youths. It makes information accessible and simpler to understand, where internet or formal counselling may not be present.

In Kargil–Ladakh, a massive skill-mapping and placement exercise was held from December 2024 to January 2025. More than 850 youth participated. Many youths, were awarded scholarships to learn master automobile skills at Satyam Motors in Gurugram. Their success is the way talent from far-flung regions can thrive if supported properly and given a chance. Personal success stories of others inspire other young people too. One such case is that of Lieutenant Imran Ahmed from Baramulla. He began his career as a rifleman and eventually became a commissioned officer by availing the Special Commissioned Officer pathway. His success story has inspired numerous young people in Kashmir, who now feel that they can also do big things if they work hard and get proper guidance.

In education too, the Army is assisting students in preparing for admission examinations to elite institutions. In Arunachal Pradesh, a coaching programme enabled 33 students of which five were girls to prepare for admission to Sainik School. Eight of them cleared the examination by May 2025. Such coaching centres are in the pipeline for Kupwara and Ganderbal too, so that Kashmiri students can also dream big and realize their aspirations.

The Indian Army’s strategy for youth empowerment is systematic and focused. It begins by empowering them with confidence through sports. It then addresses employable skills through vocational training. It then gives career guidance and continuous mentoring. All of this is achieved through the Army’s extensive infrastructure network such as stadiums, training facilities, and mobile outreach units and its close cooperation with NGOs, schools, and government schemes.

The fruits are already being seen. Kashmir boys and girls are coming out of their shells, acquiring new skills, and opting for careers that bring them pride and self-sufficiency. Families are hopeful, communities are becoming more cohesive, and national pride is surging among the youth. All these programs also assist national initiatives such as Skill India, Khelo India, and the NCC (National Cadet Corps). They assist youth in developing discipline, leadership skills, and a good sense of responsibility towardssociety.

In the future, the Army intends to further increase its activities. Additional Army Girls’ Sports Companies will be established. New vocation courses will be introduced in fields such as renewable energy, advanced mechanics, and digital technology. Carvan Talkies will go to even more villages, reaching out to young people who have never before benefited from career counselling. Perhaps most importantly, the Army will not leave the young people it is mentoring alone even after they get employment or are selected for defence services, ensuring they thrive in the long term.

The Indian Army’s work in Jammu and Kashmir is setting the stage for a better, stronger tomorrow. By motivating young people through sports, educating them with skills, and counseling them in theirprofessional lives, the Army is providing them with the means to lead successful lives. These individuals are stepping up to improve their own lives and also become responsible and proud citizens of the country.

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