Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism-affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir.
Approach · directive: “discuss”
What it asks · Explain why public trust matters in counter-insurgency and discuss the political, developmental, security and outreach measures taken in J&K.
It asks 2 things — answer each
- Establish why winning hearts and minds matters for restoring trust in terrorism-affected areas
- Discuss the Government's measures in Jammu and Kashmir: political, developmental, youth, security-outreach and governance, with their limits
Open with · Militancy survives on alienation, so counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has long paired force with a 'hearts and minds' effort to restore the population's trust in the state; the measures run from the ballot to the balance sheet.
Cover
- Why it matters: an alienated population shelters militants and supplies recruits; a trusting one supplies intelligence and denies sanctuary.
- Political voice: after Article 370 was read down (August 2019), the first District Development Council elections (2020) completed three-tier panchayati raj.
- Development: PMDP 2015, 63 projects worth ₹80,068 crore (announced 7 November 2015); the ₹28,400 crore Industrial Development Scheme (2021) for about 4.5 lakh jobs.
- Youth and outreach: Himayat, Udaan, PM's Special Scholarship Scheme; Army's Operation Sadbhavana schools and medical camps; surrender and rehabilitation policy.
- Limits: CAG's 2021 audit found PMDP projects delayed or unfruitful; internet shutdowns, AFSPA grievances, unemployment and online radicalisation erode trust.
- Way forward: time-bound PMDP completion, jobs through the industrial scheme, empowered DDCs, rights-sensitive policing.
Close with · Security operations create the space; consistent governance, jobs and respect for rights fill it with trust, the only ground on which peace in the Valley can be permanent.
Add value (verified)
- CAG Report No. 2 of 2021: the PMDP, announced on 7 November 2015, included 63 projects with a total outlay of ₹80,068 crore under five pillars.CAG, Report No. 2 of 2021: Performance Audit of the Prime Minister's Development Package for J&K, Executive Summary ↗“A comprehensive reconstruction plan for the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), was announced by the Prime Minister of India on 07 November 2015. The Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), included 63 projects with a total outlay of 80,068 crore”
- CAG (2021): PMDP girls' hostels due in eight months from February 2018 were still incomplete in October 2020.CAG, Report No. 2 of 2021: Performance Audit of the Prime Minister's Development Package for J&K, Executive Summary ↗“The construction of hostels which was scheduled to be completed within eight months from the date of award (February 2018) was yet to be completed (October 2020), depriving hostel facilities to girl students of selected Colleges.”
- MHA/PIB (7 January 2021): CCEA approved the ₹28,400 crore Central Sector Scheme for the Industrial Development of Jammu and Kashmir.Ministry of Home Affairs press release (7 January 2021): Union Home Minister hails CCEA approval to the Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir ↗“The approval of the Rs. 28,400 crore central Sector Scheme for the industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir by the Cabinet”
- MHA/PIB (7 January 2021): the scheme is expected to provide employment to about 4.5 lakh people.Ministry of Home Affairs press release (7 January 2021): Union Home Minister hails CCEA approval to the Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir ↗“It will attract unprecedented investment and will provide employment to about 4.5 lakh people”
- PIB (Rajya Sabha reply, 28 November 2001): under Operation Sadbhavana the Army built 15 schools and revived 21 in 2000-01, with 6,630 students.PIB archive: Operations Sadbhavana by Defence Services, Rajya Sabha reply (28 November 2001) ↗“Army has been undertaking civic action projects in Jammu and Kashmir, under Operations SADBHAVANA. During 2000 – 2001, 15 schools were newly constructed, 21 schools were revived. A total of 6630 students are studying in these schools.”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2023, GS Paper III — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 3 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 221words · Minimalist IAS
Militancy survives on alienation, so counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir pairs force with a 'hearts and minds' effort to restore trust in the state, from the ballot to the balance sheet.
Why hearts and minds matter
- Trust dries the pond: an alienated population shelters militants; a trusting one gives intelligence and denies sanctuary.
Measures adopted
- Political voice: after Article 370 was read down (2019), the first District Development Council elections (2020) completed three-tier panchayati raj.
- Development: the PMDP 2015 (7 November 2015) bundled 63 projects worth ₹80,068 crore across five pillars.
- Jobs: the ₹28,400 crore Industrial Development Scheme (2021) targets about 4.5 lakh jobs.
- Youth: Himayat skilling, Udaan, the PM's Special Scholarship Scheme, sports exchanges.
- Security with a human face: the Army's Operation Sadbhavana builds schools and medical camps; a surrender and rehabilitation policy offers a way back.
- Governance: DBT welfare, grievance redress, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.
Hearts and minds in J&K: Voice (DDC); Development (PMDP); Jobs (IDS 2021); Youth (Himayat); Outreach (Sadbhavana)
Limits
- Delivery and rights: CAG's 2021 audit found PMDP projects delayed and spending unfruitful; internet shutdowns, AFSPA grievances and unemployment erode trust.
Way forward
- Sustain and localise: time-bound PMDP completion, industrial-scheme jobs, empowered DDCs, rights-sensitive policing.
Security operations create the space; consistent governance, jobs and respect for rights fill it with trust, the only ground for permanent peace.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 3 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
