Uttar Pradesh: Youth and women-led development drive state’s holistic growth push

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh has placed youth and women at the centre of its development strategy, positioning employment generation, skill development and social security as key pillars of holistic growth for the state.

Under transparent recruitment processes conducted through various commissions and boards, over 8.5 lakh youth have been provided government jobs, including more than 1.75 lakh women. Worker protection has been expanded through the New Social Security Policy and the E-Shram Service Corporation.Employment and skill development initiatives have scaled up across sectors. More than 10.20 lakh youth have been provided employment, while over 25 lakh have received training through ITIs and the Skill Development Department, including in Industry 4.0-aligned areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced computing.

The state currently operates 50 incubators and supports over 7,200 startups.Flagship schemes such as the Chief Minister Youth Self-Employment Scheme, ODOP Loan Distribution Scheme and the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme have together enabled employment for over 7 lakh people, backed by margin money support running into tens of thousands of crores. The UP employment mission has also been set up to facilitate job opportunities within India and abroad.

Women-led development has been reinforced through welfare, health and economic empowerment schemes. Programmes such as Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, expanded SHG networks and direct benefit transfers have supported millions of women since 2017, with budgets rising steadily, according to government figures. Institutional deliveries have crossed 96%, while the sex ratio has improved to 1,020 per 1,000. Officials say the combined focus on jobs, education, entrepreneurship and welfare reflects UP’s effort to align state-led growth with national development priorities.