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Skills & Employment

Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana

DDU-GKY focuses on the rural poor youth and its emphasis on sustainable employment through the prominence and incentives given to post-placement tracking, retention, and career progression. DDU-GKY is designed to provide high-quality skill training opportunities to the rural poor.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- Skill Training: The program provides skill training to beneficiaries in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, construction, retail, and hospitality. The training is designed to be industry-relevant and to equip beneficiaries with the skills they need to secure employment.- Placement Assistance: The program provides placement assistance to beneficiaries by connecting them with potential employers. The program also provides support to beneficiaries during the job search process, such as resume writing and interview preparation.- Post-Placement Support: The program provides post-placement support to beneficiaries to help them adjust to their new jobs. This support may include mentorship, counseling, and access to resources.- Career Progression Support: The program provides career progression support to beneficiaries to help them advance in their careers. This support may include training, mentorship, and access to networking opportunities.- Incentives for Higher Placements: The program provides incentives to PIAs for placing beneficiaries in higher-paying jobs. This incentive is designed to encourage PIAs to place beneficiaries in jobs that are commensurate with their skills and experience.

Who can apply

The target group for DDU-GKY is poor rural youth in the age group 15-35.; The upper age limit for women candidates, and candidates belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Transgender and other Special Groups like rehabilitated bonded labor, victims of trafficking, manual scavengers, trans-genders, HIV-positive persons, etc shall be 45 years.; Youth from MGNREGA worker households with at least 15 days of work in the previous financial year by any of its family members.; Youth from a household with RSBY card wherein the details of youth are mentioned in the card.; Youth from households who have been issued Antyodaya Anna Yojana / BPL PDS cards.; Youth from a household where a family member is a member of SHG under NRLM.; Youth from a household covered under auto inclusion parameters as per SECC, 2011 (when notified).

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Explain the 3-tier implementation model of DDU-GKY.

The model includes the DDU-GKY National Unit for policy-making, State Skill Missions for co-funding, and Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) for on-ground implementation.

What sectors does the DDU-GKY program offer skill training in?

The program provides skill training in diverse sectors such as agriculture, construction, retail, and hospitality.

What support does DDU-GKY offer during the job search process?

The program assists beneficiaries with resume writing, interview preparation, and connects them with potential employers.

What is the upper age limit for women candidates under DDU-GKY?

Women candidates, along with other specific groups, have an upper age limit of 45 years.

How are poor youth identified for DDU-GKY?

The Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) process is used, considering factors like MGNREGA work, RSBY card, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, SHG membership, and auto inclusion parameters.

Explain the reservation criteria for SCs and STs at the national level.

50% of funds are earmarked for SCs and STs, with the proportion determined by the Ministry of Rural Development.

What is the minimum reservation for persons with disabilities in DDU-GKY?

States are mandated to ensure that at least 3% of beneficiaries are persons with disabilities.

How does DDU-GKY incentivize Project Implementing Agencies for higher placements?

The program provides incentives to PIAs for placing beneficiaries in higher-paying jobs, encouraging alignment with their skills and experience.

What is the role of State Skill Missions in DDU-GKY implementation?

State Skill Missions, part of State Rural Livelihood Missions, provide co-funding and implementation support in the state for DDU-GKY.

Explain the career progression support provided by DDU-GKY.

The program offers training, mentorship, and access to networking opportunities to help beneficiaries advance in their careers.

What is the purpose of the Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) process?

PIP is crucial for identifying poor youth and is an integral part of the NRLM strategy until they are identified through existing BPL lists.

What is the significance of the 15-day work criterion for MGNREGA households?

Youth from MGNREGA households with at least 15 days of work in the previous financial year are considered eligible for DDU-GKY.

Explain the earmarking of funds for minority groups in DDU-GKY.

15% of funds are set aside for beneficiaries from minority groups to ensure inclusivity and diversity in the program.

How can DDU-GKY beneficiaries access post-placement support?

The program provides post-placement support through mentorship, counseling, and access to resources to help beneficiaries adjust to their new jobs.

Can targets for SC and ST beneficiaries be interchanged?

Yes, targets from SC and ST can be interchanged if no eligible beneficiaries are available, certified by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).