Rural Development Department Kashmir is the nodal Department for most of the development and welfare activities in the rural areas and plays a pivotal role in the overall development strategy of the UT. The vision and mission of RDD is sustainable and inclusive growth of rural areas through a multipronged strategy for eradication of poverty by increasing livelihoods opportunities, providing social safety and developing infrastructure for growth.

Broadly, the aims of the Rural Development Department are:

• Providing livelihood opportunities to those in need including women and other vulnerable sections with focus on Priority households.
• Enhancement of livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household demanding it.
• Provision of all weather rural connectivity to unconnected rural habitations and upgradation of existing roads to provide market access.
• Providing basic housing and homestead to households eligible as per SECC-2011 survey in rural areas.
• Capacity development and training of rural development functionaries.
• Promoting involvement of voluntary agencies(SHGs) and individuals for rural development.

Kashmir Division comprises of 10 Districts, 137 CD Blocks and 2182 Panchayat Halqas. The Directorate is under the administrative Control of the Rural Development Department at the Secretariat Level which is headed by an officer of the rank of Commissioner/Secretary to Government. At the provincial level, the Directorate is headed by the Director who is a major head of the Department in terms of Jammu & Kashmir Book of Financial Powers. He exercises the administrative and the financial control over the whole province and is assisted by Joint Director (Administration), Superintending Engineer REW Kashmir, Deputy Director (Planning), District Panchayat Officer (Publicity), Block Development Officer (Headquarter) Accounts Officer and other necessary staff to carry out the day to day working in the Directorate.

Rural Development Department Kashmir at Division level is headed by the Director who is a major head of the department in terms of Jammu & Kashmir Book of Financial Powers. The post is borne on KAS cadre and is held by senior KAS / IAS Officer. He exercises the administrative and the financial control over the whole province and is assisted by following officers at Division Level:-
Joint Director (Adm)
S.E REW Kashmir
Deputy Director(Plg)
District Panchayat Officer (Publicity)
Accounts Officer
and other necessary staff to carry out the day to day working in the Directorate.