Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana 2.0: How India is reshaping rural skilling from training to sustainable employment

Equipping rural youth with industry-relevant skills, connecting them with employment opportunities and helping them remain in work for longer is at the centre of the Government’s upgraded Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0.

 

Launched originally on September 25, 2014, under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, DDU-GKY has, over more than a decade, evolved into a placement-linked skilling programme for rural youth from poor households. The upgraded DDU-GKY 2.0 framework, notified in May 2025, puts greater emphasis not only on training and placement but also on employment retention, post-placement support, career progression, migration assistance and technology-enabled monitoring.

 

The programme is currently being implemented across 31 States and Union Territories, with 749 approved projects, more than 760 active training centres and over 455 Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs).

 

Since its inception in 2014-15, more than 18.47 lakh candidates have been trained in over 800 job roles covering all 36 sectors of the economy, while more than 12.43 lakh candidates have been placed. More than 9.71 lakh women have been trained and over 6.34 lakh women have secured placements.

 

Complementing the placement-linked model of DDU-GKY, the Government is also using Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among rural youth. As of now, 647 RSETIs across 634 districts in 33 States and Union Territories have trained 63.47 lakh candidates, of whom 45.60 lakh have been settled.

 

 

India’s young population presents a major opportunity for economic growth and rural transformation. The youth population is projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036, making access to quality skills, employment and livelihood opportunities increasingly important.

 

Against this backdrop, DDU-GKY was launched to provide placement-linked skill training to rural youth aged 15 to 35 years from poor households.

 

The scheme also incorporates a strong social-inclusion component. Its framework mandates coverage of 50 per cent SC/ST candidates, 33 per cent women and 5 per cent persons with disabilities.

 

Over the years, the programme has moved beyond simply providing training. Its focus has increasingly shifted towards employment outcomes and support after placement. The revised DDU-GKY 2.0 framework strengthens this approach by covering the entire journey from training and placement to employment retention and career progression.

 

The Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated ₹750 crore to DDU-GKY.

 

 

The upgraded programme introduces a more end-to-end approach to rural skilling.

 

Training standards have been strengthened, the minimum placement duration has been increased, post-placement support has been expanded, migration challenges are being addressed, and technology is being used more extensively to monitor implementation.

 

The revised framework provides training in sectors based on industry requirements, including aerospace and aviation, agriculture, beauty and wellness, green jobs, healthcare, textiles, and other emerging and established sectors.

 

The objective is to equip rural youth not only with technical skills but also with communication, digital, workplace and entrepreneurial capabilities.

 

 

DDU-GKY 2.0 retains the 576-hour minimum training requirement, but introduces a more structured approach. The mandatory non-domain component totals 180 hours.

 

This framework combines job-specific technical training with skills intended to help candidates communicate effectively, adapt to the workplace, use digital tools and understand entrepreneurship.

 

 

One of the significant changes under DDU-GKY 2.0 is the extension of the minimum placement duration.

 

Earlier, placement under DDU-GKY was defined as continuous employment for at least three months. Under the revised framework, the minimum placement duration has been extended to six months.

 

The new guidelines cover both continuous and non-continuous employment and include wage employment, self-employment and gig employment.

 

The change reflects the programme’s greater emphasis on sustainable employment rather than placement as an immediate end point.

 

 

DDU-GKY 2.0 also strengthens support for candidates after they secure employment.

 

Placed candidates receive financial assistance of ₹7,620, provided at ₹1,270 per month for six months.

 

In addition, candidates who remain employed for 365 days are eligible for retention support of ₹5,000 per candidate, subject to a maximum employment break of 60 days.

 

The programme also provides opportunities for upskilling and reskilling after 12 months of placement, enabling candidates to strengthen their capabilities and improve their prospects for continued employment and career progression.

 

 

Another component of the employment ecosystem is the organisation of Job Melas by State Rural Livelihoods Missions at block and Gram Panchayat levels.

 

These fairs are intended to connect local youth with potential employers. The process includes registration of youth, counselling, employer verification, placement outcome tracking, and follow-up for one year through Kaushal Panjee.

 

The Job Melas are primarily intended for youth with employable skills, including DDU-GKY-trained candidates seeking better employment opportunities.

 

Financial support of up to ₹50,000 per Gram Panchayat-level fair and ₹1 lakh per block-level fair is available from the DDU-GKY budget, subject to placement of 100 and 200 candidates respectively.

 

 

A significant proportion of trained rural candidates migrate in search of livelihood opportunities. DDU-GKY 2.0 therefore places renewed emphasis on migration support.

 

State Rural Livelihoods Missions establish Migration Support Centres (MSCs) in areas with high concentrations of placed candidates. These centres operate both in candidates’ home states and in destination states.

 

The centres provide services including accommodation assistance, counselling, placement support, employment-related information, alumni networking, and employer engagement.

 

MSCs also coordinate with local administrative bodies and service providers to help candidates settle into urban work environments and remain in stable employment.

 

The annual funding available per MSC has been increased from ₹10 lakh earlier to as much as ₹30 lakh under the revised framework.

 

 

Technology has been an important component of DDU-GKY since its inception, with geo-tagged and time-stamped biometric attendance, computer laboratories and e-learning facilities supporting monitoring and digital exposure.

 

DDU-GKY 2.0 builds on this foundation with an end-to-end digital solution covering the entire programme lifecycle.

 

The digital platform covers PIA onboarding, project submission and evaluation, training-centre management, candidate management, assessment and certification, financial management, project monitoring, and placement tracking.

 

The revised system also introduces advanced dashboards for real-time programme monitoring and a public candidate portal where users can search for training opportunities and view PIA performance ratings.

 

Several processes are being automated, including Project Registration Number (PRN) generation, grievance redressal and certificate verification.

 

Digital attendance and assessment use face authentication and real-time dashboards, while integration with the Skill India Digital Hub enables automated validation of course details.

 

 

DDU-GKY 2.0 includes targeted interventions for regions and groups facing specific challenges.

 

 

Roshni addresses the needs of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

 

The initiative mandates residential skill training and provides for 40 per cent coverage of women candidates.

 

It has also been extended to Aspirational Districts, with a focus on local infrastructure, education, health, natural resources and traditional skills.

 

 

Himayat is a special DDU-GKY programme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

 

It covers both rural and urban youth, including BPL and APL persons, and supports wage, self and gig employment.

 

The scheme is 100 per cent centrally funded and implemented with State support through dedicated Mission Management Units.

 

 

Recognising the socio-cultural and geographical characteristics of the North-Eastern States, 10 per cent of the total DDU-GKY allocation is earmarked for the region.

 

 

DDU-GKY also provides a Special Area Allowance for hard-to-reach areas. Project Implementing Agencies are eligible for an additional 10 per cent of the base training cost per candidate under this provision.

 

 

The rollout of the upgraded framework during 2025-26 has seen progress across several States.

 

Goa has emerged as a pioneer in creating batches under DDU-GKY 2.0.

 

In Andhra Pradesh, training of more than 12,000 candidates has commenced within a period of three months.

 

In Jammu & Kashmir, 100 per cent of allocated targets have been allocated, with training commenced for 91 per cent of the allocation.

 

 

The scale of DDU-GKY is reflected in its training and placement figures.

 

The programme currently operates through:

 

* 31 States and Union Territories

 

* 749 approved projects

 

* 760 active training centres

 

* More than 455 Project Implementing Agencies

 

* More than 18.47 lakh candidates trained since 2014-15

 

* More than 12.43 lakh candidates placed

 

* More than 800 job roles

 

* Coverage across all 36 sectors of the economy

 

* More than 9.71 lakh women trained

 

* More than 6.34 lakh women placed

 

These figures represent the programme’s focus on connecting rural youth with industry-aligned skills and employment opportunities.

 

 

While DDU-GKY primarily focuses on placement-linked wage employment, the Government is also promoting rural entrepreneurship through Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).

 

RSETIs provide free residential training to unemployed rural youth between 18 and 50 years of age, followed by handholding support to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.

 

The programme creates dedicated skill infrastructure in every district and focuses particularly on rural youth from below poverty line households and DAY-NRLM households.

 

As of now, 647 RSETIs spread across 33 States and Union Territories are operational and cover 634 districts. 63.47 lakh candidates have been trained since its inception in 2009 and 45.60 lakh candidates have been settled. Among those settled through RSETIs, around 94 per cent have established sustainable self-employment ventures, while about 6 per cent have secured wage employment.

 

 

The evolution of DDU-GKY reflects a broader shift in the way rural skilling is approached.

 

The programme was initially designed around placement-linked training. DDU-GKY 2.0 expands that model to include the stages that follow a candidate’s entry into employment.

 

Training is linked to industry requirements, placement duration has been extended to six months, post-placement assistance has been strengthened, retention is tracked for up to a year, and opportunities for further upskilling and reskilling are incorporated into the framework.

 

For candidates who move away from their home districts or States for work, Migration Support Centres provide an additional layer of assistance.

 

Technology is being used to bring these components together through digital project management, candidate management, attendance, assessment, certification, financial management and placement tracking.

 

 

The Government’s rural skilling approach combines two broad pathways: placement-linked employment through DDU-GKY and self-employment and entrepreneurship through RSETIs.

 

Together, these programmes seek to expand the range of livelihood opportunities available to rural youth.

 

DDU-GKY 2.0 places particular emphasis on ensuring that training translates into durable employment. Its revised framework addresses not only what candidates learn but also how they enter employment, remain employed, access further skills and receive support when migration is part of their employment journey.

 

The programme’s focus on women, SC/ST communities, persons with disabilities and vulnerable regions adds a social-inclusion dimension to the rural skilling framework.

 

With more than 18.47 lakh candidates trained and 12.43 lakh placed since inception, the programme has established a substantial rural skilling network. The addition of stronger post-placement support, technology-enabled monitoring, targeted regional interventions and career progression measures under DDU-GKY 2.0 marks the next phase of that framework.

 

Alongside the RSETI network, which has trained 63.47 lakh candidates and settled 45.60 lakh, these initiatives are intended to strengthen the pathways through which rural youth can acquire skills, find employment, establish enterprises and build sustainable livelihoods.

 

The approach is aligned with the broader objective of creating a skilled, empowered and self-reliant rural workforce, while contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and the transformation of India into a global economic and knowledge hub.