Rural Development Department, over the period, has assumed a key position in the socio-economic development of rural areas in view of  magnitude of funding provided by the Government of India and the State Government under various schemes. The department aims at developing the rural economy in terms of infrastructure, creation of durable assets and generation of employment opportunities including creation of wage and self employment. It  plays a vital role in upliftment of rural masses  and  has become an effective tool for reducing the number of people living below  poverty line and also narrowing down the income inequalities between  haves and  the have-nots in  rural sector.  

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. The post is borne on  KAS cadre  and is held by senior KAS / IAS Officers. He exercises the administrative and the financial control over the whole province and is assisted by Superintendent Engineer (REW)/  Deputy Director (Adm), Deputy Director (Plg),  District Panchayat Officer (Publicity), Accounts Officer and other allied staff to carry out the day to day working in the Directorate.

The Deputy Director (Plg) deals with the planning apparatus which includes formulation of the plan at the provincial level and its submission to the government for approval of the Planning & Development Department. He monitors all the schemes being implemented in the field and provides necessary assistance to the Director in  effective implementation of the schemes under the control of the department.

The Deputy Director (Adm) provides assistance to the Director in all  the administrative matters. The assistance is provided on the issues pertaining  to establishment,  legal and   matters  including disciplinary proceedings, complaints and other issues related to the administration.

Similarly, the District Panchayat Officer(Publicity) assists the Director in the areas like Panchayats and other related matters including publicity of schemes etc.

The Accounts officer provides assistance in the field of financial/account matters. He is also the drawing and disbursing  officer of the Directorate. He also formulates the budget and monitors  the    Non-plan  expenditure.

Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir comprises of 10 districts in Kashmir Valley and 2 districts in Ladakh region which include four newly created districts. There are 77 CD & NES blocks

S.No	District	No. of blocks
1	Anantnag	7
2	Bandipora	5
3	Baramulla	12
4	Budgam	8
5	Ganderbal	4
6	Kargil	9
7	Kulgam	5
8	Kupwara	11
9	Leh	9
10	Pulwama	5
11	Shopian	1
12	Srinagar	1