The Jammu and Kashmir Budget for 2025-26, presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, focuses on improving healthcare, education, and making tourism a key driver of the economy.
Here are the 10 major highlights of the budget:
🔹 Increased Revenue – The Union Territory’s non-tax revenue has grown to ₹5,824 crore as of January 31, 2025, while tax revenue has reached ₹11,650 crore, both expected to surpass last year’s figures.
🔹 Tourism Development – The government plans to create new master plans for major tourist spots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. Infrastructure and facilities will also be upgraded in emerging tourist areas. Under the Home Stay Policy, more registered homestays will be encouraged to improve accommodation options and create jobs.
🔹 Boost for Film Industry & Startups – The Film Policy will be implemented to promote J&K as a prime shooting location. The government will also strengthen the Venture Capital Fund, increase startup support through mentorship and market access, and allocate ₹50 crore for entrepreneurship development.
🔹 Healthcare Improvements – A Modern Drug Testing Laboratory in Kathua will become operational, and 30-bedded Emergency Medicine Departments will be set up in all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs). Ten Nursing Colleges will be fully staffed, and the GMC Handwara project will be expedited.
🔹 Advanced Medical Facilities– Three new Cath Labs will be built in North Kashmir, Pir Panjal, and Chenab Valley, with a budget of ₹45 crore. Over the next three years, MRIs and PET scans will be introduced in new GMCs, and all district hospitals will receive CT scan services with an allocation of ₹110 crore.
🔹 Expanded Dialysis Services – Dialysis treatment will be extended to all 83 Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). Additionally, ₹16.80 crore is allocated for setting up 24 new dialysis centres in 40 SDHs/CHCs next year.
🔹 New National Law University – Jammu and Kashmir will establish a National Law University (NLU) to modernize legal education and research. The government has set aside ₹50 crore for this initiative to train future legal professionals and improve the justice system.
🔹 Free Ration for AAY Beneficiaries– Starting April 1, 2025, all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries will receive 10 kg of free ration per person, ensuring better nutrition support for vulnerable families.
🔹 Increased Marriage Assistance – The financial aid under the Marriage Assistance Scheme for AAY category girls will be raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
🔹 Lower Stamp Duty for Property Gifts – To encourage formal property transfers within families, the government proposes eliminating stamp duty for gift transactions between blood relatives. Currently, these charges range from 3% to 7%.
Here are the 10 major highlights of the budget:
🔹 Increased Revenue – The Union Territory’s non-tax revenue has grown to ₹5,824 crore as of January 31, 2025, while tax revenue has reached ₹11,650 crore, both expected to surpass last year’s figures.
🔹 Tourism Development – The government plans to create new master plans for major tourist spots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. Infrastructure and facilities will also be upgraded in emerging tourist areas. Under the Home Stay Policy, more registered homestays will be encouraged to improve accommodation options and create jobs.
🔹 Boost for Film Industry & Startups – The Film Policy will be implemented to promote J&K as a prime shooting location. The government will also strengthen the Venture Capital Fund, increase startup support through mentorship and market access, and allocate ₹50 crore for entrepreneurship development.
🔹 Healthcare Improvements – A Modern Drug Testing Laboratory in Kathua will become operational, and 30-bedded Emergency Medicine Departments will be set up in all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs). Ten Nursing Colleges will be fully staffed, and the GMC Handwara project will be expedited.
🔹 Advanced Medical Facilities– Three new Cath Labs will be built in North Kashmir, Pir Panjal, and Chenab Valley, with a budget of ₹45 crore. Over the next three years, MRIs and PET scans will be introduced in new GMCs, and all district hospitals will receive CT scan services with an allocation of ₹110 crore.
🔹 Expanded Dialysis Services – Dialysis treatment will be extended to all 83 Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). Additionally, ₹16.80 crore is allocated for setting up 24 new dialysis centres in 40 SDHs/CHCs next year.
🔹 New National Law University – Jammu and Kashmir will establish a National Law University (NLU) to modernize legal education and research. The government has set aside ₹50 crore for this initiative to train future legal professionals and improve the justice system.
🔹 Free Ration for AAY Beneficiaries– Starting April 1, 2025, all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries will receive 10 kg of free ration per person, ensuring better nutrition support for vulnerable families.
🔹 Increased Marriage Assistance – The financial aid under the Marriage Assistance Scheme for AAY category girls will be raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
🔹 Lower Stamp Duty for Property Gifts – To encourage formal property transfers within families, the government proposes eliminating stamp duty for gift transactions between blood relatives. Currently, these charges range from 3% to 7%.
