Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
DDU-GKY 2.0
India’s flagship placement-linked skill development programme transforming rural youth into a skilled, employable workforce under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Building Sustainable Livelihoods for Rural India
Launched on 25th September 2014 by the Ministry of Rural Development under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that provides placement-linked skill training to rural youth from poor households.
With India’s youth population projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036, DDU-GKY 2.0 (guidelines notified in May 2025) focuses on industry-aligned training, employment outcomes, post-placement support, and employment sustainability — moving beyond mere training to lasting careers.
Core Objectives
- Skill rural youth (15–35 years) from poor households with industry-relevant competencies
- Ensure minimum 70% placement with 6-month retention
- Promote social inclusion: SC/ST (50%), Women (33%), PwD (5%)
- Support career progression, migration, and sustainable employment
Key Facts at a Glance
Essential information every competitive exam aspirant must know
Launch Date
25 September 2014
Under DAY-NRLM, MoRD
Target Beneficiaries
Rural youth aged 15–35 years from poor households
Social Inclusion
SC/ST: 50% • Women: 33% • PwD: 5%
Union Budget 2026-27
₹750 crore allocated for training ~1.37 lakh youth
Sectoral Coverage
Aerospace, Agriculture, Beauty & Wellness, Green Jobs, Healthcare, Textiles & more
DDU-GKY 2.0
Guidelines notified May 2025 focusing on outcomes & sustainability
Special Initiatives under DDU-GKY 2.0
Targeted interventions for vulnerable regions and communities
Roshni Initiative
- Residential skill training in LWE-affected districts
- 40% women participation mandatory
- Extended to Aspirational Districts
- Focus on local resources, traditional skills & regional needs
Himayat Initiative
- Special programme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
- Covers both BPL and APL youth
- Supports wage, self-employment & gig employment
- 100% centrally funded with State support
North Eastern Region Support
10% of total DDU-GKY allocation is earmarked for the North East to address geographical and socio-cultural challenges.
Difficult Area Support
Project Implementing Agencies receive an additional 10% Special Area Allowance on base training cost per candidate for hard-to-reach areas.
Key Features of DDU-GKY 2.0
End-to-end skilling: Training → Placement → Retention → Career Progression
Training Framework
Minimum 576 hours structured training:
Non-domain: English (60h), Employability & Life Skills (60h), Computer & Digital Literacy (30h), Entrepreneurship (30h)
Placement & Employment
- • Minimum placement duration increased from 3 to 6 months
- • Covers wage employment, self-employment & gig employment
- • Target: Minimum 70% placement rate
- • 12 months post-placement tracking
Post-Placement Support
Technology & Digital
- • End-to-end digital platform (PIA onboarding to placement tracking)
- • Face-authenticated attendance & digital assessments
- • Real-time dashboards & candidate portal
- • Integration with Skill India Digital Hub
- • Automated grievance & certificate verification
Job Melas
₹50,000 (GP level) & ₹1 lakh (Block level) support for employer linkages
Migration Support Centres
Annual support increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh per centre
Implementation Network
749 projects • 760+ centres • 455+ PIAs across 31 States/UTs
Key Milestones Achieved
Impact since inception (2014–15 onwards)
State-Level Rollout of DDU-GKY 2.0 (2025–26)
Goa
First state to create DDU-GKY 2.0 batches
Andhra Pradesh
Training started for 12,000+ candidates
Jammu & Kashmir
100% targets allocated • 91% training commenced
Important for Competitive Exams
UPSC, State PSC, SSC & other government exam relevant points
Must-Remember One-Liners
- • DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under MoRD / DAY-NRLM.
- • Launched on 25 September 2014 (Antyodaya Diwas).
- • DDU-GKY 2.0 guidelines notified in May 2025.
- • Minimum training: 576 hours (396 domain + 180 non-domain).
- • Placement period extended to 6 months under 2.0.
- • Roshni: LWE districts + Aspirational Districts (40% women).
- • Himayat: 100% centrally funded for J&K and Ladakh.
- • Official portal: kaushal.rural.gov.in | Mobilization: Kaushal Panjee
Quick Quiz
1. When were DDU-GKY 2.0 guidelines notified?
2. What is the minimum placement duration under DDU-GKY 2.0?