The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a major skill development and employment initiative. It has been launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in 2014. It is part of the broader National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the Aajeevika programme.
The scheme aims to skill poor rural youth between the ages of 15 and 35 (with special provisions up to 45 for women, persons with disabilities, PVTGs, and other marginalised groups) and provide them with gainful and sustainable employment in jobs offering wages at or above the minimum wage.
The primary objective of DDU-GKY is to reduce poverty in rural households by providing skill training and placement opportunities that ensure upward mobility and financial stability.
Who are the Beneficiaries of DDU-GKY?
DDU-GKY primarily targets rural poor youth who are eager to be skilled and placed in regular wage employment. The scheme also focuses on social inclusion by ensuring that special groups receive adequate support. These include:
- Women
- Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- Transgender individuals
- Other marginalised groups, such as rehabilitated bonded labourers, victims of trafficking, manual scavengers, and HIV-positive persons
Beneficiaries are identified through the Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) system. Until PIP data is fully implemented, youth from BPL households, MGNREGA worker households, RSBY cardholders, and members of SHGs under NRLM are eligible to participate.
What are the Main Objectives of DDU-GKY?
The scheme is designed with several interrelated objectives:
- Diversifying income sources for rural poor households to reduce dependency on traditional agriculture or seasonal work.
- Providing gainful employment to rural youth with sustainable and regular wages.
- Supporting national initiatives, such as Make in India, Digital India, and Skill India, by creating a skilled workforce aligned with industry demands.
- Promoting social inclusion by prioritising training for SCs, STs, minorities, women, and other vulnerable groups.
- Reducing poverty and improving rural livelihoods through skill-based career opportunities.
How does DDU-GKY Provide Skill Training?
DDU-GKY follows a demand-led skill training approach. This means the training is based on current labour market needs and industry requirements, ensuring that trainees acquire skills that are immediately employable. Key features include:
| Feature | Details |
| Industry-Relevant Training | Covers over 250 trades across more than 50 sectors, including Retail, Hospitality, Health, Construction, Automotive, Electrical, Plumbing, Gems & Jewellery, Leather, and Agriculture. |
| Flexible Training Duration | Projects range from 576 hours (3 months) to 2304 hours (12 months), depending on skill requirement and whether the training is residential or non-residential. |
| Focus on Employability | Training includes both technical knowledge and soft skills to enhance the employability of rural youth. |
| Post-Placement Support | Trainees receive support for 2–6 months after placement to ensure smooth adjustment and job retention. |
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How does DDU-GKY Ensure Placement of Trainees?
One of the unique features of DDU-GKY is its placement-linked approach. The scheme guarantees placement for at least 75% of trained candidates. Placement support includes:
- Connecting beneficiaries with potential employers.
- Providing resume writing and interview preparation assistance.
- Offering post-placement mentorship, counselling, and financial support for initial months.
- Incentivising Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) for placing beneficiaries in higher-paying jobs or roles aligned with their skills.
What is the Implementation Structure of DDU-GKY?
DDU-GKY follows a three-tier implementation model:
- National Unit (MoRD): Acts as the policy-making, technical support, and facilitation body.
- State Missions: Provide implementation support and coordinate with PIAs.
- Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs): Execute training and placement projects on the ground.
The programme is executed in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, ensuring both government oversight and private sector efficiency.
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How is the Scheme Funded?
The Government of India provides funding support for placement-linked skill training projects, ranging from ₹25,696 to over ₹1 lakh per person, depending on the project duration and type (residential or non-residential).
Funding priorities include:
- Projects offering foreign placements.
- Captive employment: PIAs training candidates for internal company needs.
- Industry internships with co-funding support.
- Champion Employers: PIAs capable of placing at least 10,000 trainees in 2 years.
- Reputed educational institutions with strong NAAC or UGC/AICTE credentials.
How is DDU-GKY Linked to Other National Skill Development Initiatives?
DDU-GKY complements other initiatives such as:
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0 (PMKVY 3.0): Offers over 300 skill courses.
- Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM): Portal to connect skilled candidates with job opportunities.
- SHREYAS: Apprenticeship and industry exposure for graduates.
- Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana: Encourages entrepreneurship and self-employment.
- Kaushal Acharya Awards: Recognises skill trainers for exemplary contributions.
It also aligns with the Skill India Mission, supporting rural youth in achieving sustainable livelihoods.
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What are Alumni Meets under DDU-GKY?
Alumni meets are an integral component of the programme. They serve to:
- Share experiences of past trainees with new beneficiaries.
- Discuss career growth, job challenges, and benefits received after training.
- Recognise exemplary performances at workplaces.
These events not only motivate new candidates but also strengthen the community of skilled rural youth.
What has been the Coverage and Achievements of DDU-GKY?
Since its inception, DDU-GKY has achieved significant milestones:
| Aspect | Details |
| Geographical Coverage | Implemented in 33 States/UTs and 610 districts |
| Project Implementing Agencies | 839 PIAs partnering in over 1822 projects |
| Training Centres | 2198 centres across India |
| Trades and Sectors | Over 56 sectors and 600 job roles |
| Trainees Trained | Approximately 10.81 lakh candidates |
| Placement Achieved | 6.92 lakh beneficiaries placed in gainful employment |
Why is DDU-GKY Significant for India’s Rural Development?
DDU-GKY plays a pivotal role in improving the social and economic fabric of rural India by:
- Empowering rural youth with industry-ready skills.
- Providing sustainable employment and career growth opportunities.
- Supporting national initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Reducing migration pressures by creating local employment opportunities.
- Promoting inclusive growth through focus on women, SC/ST, minorities, and other marginalised groups.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Year | 2014 |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) |
| Target Beneficiaries | Rural poor youth aged 15–35 (up to 45 for special groups) |
| Key Objective | Skill development and sustainable employment |
| Training Duration | 576 – 2304 hours |
| Placement Guarantee | Minimum 75% of trainees |
| Social Inclusion | 50% SC/ST, 15% minorities, 3% PwDs, 1/3 women |
| Coverage | 33 States/UTs, 610 districts, 2198 training centres, 839 PIAs |
| Special Schemes | Himayat (J&K), Roshni (tribal/LWE areas) |
| Funding Support | ₹25,696 – ₹1,00,000 per candidate |
Questions Based on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
- What is the main objective of DDU-GKY?
a) Provide loans to rural youth
b) Skill rural poor youth and provide employment
c) Build rural roads
d) Provide free housing
e) Offer scholarships - Which ministry implements DDU-GKY?
a) Ministry of Skill Development
b) Ministry of Finance
c) Ministry of Rural Development
d) Ministry of Education
e) Ministry of Labour - What is the minimum placement percentage under DDU-GKY?
a) 50%
b) 60%
c) 75%
d) 80%
e) 90% - Who are eligible under special groups?
a) SC/ST, women, PwDs
b) Urban youth only
c) Middle-class families
d) Private company employees
e) Government officials - What is the age limit for standard beneficiaries?
a) 10–25 years
b) 15–35 years
c) 20–40 years
d) 18–50 years
e) 15–45 years - Which initiative is NOT linked to DDU-GKY?
a) ASEEM
b) SHREYAS
c) PMKVY 3.0
d) BharatNet
e) Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana - What is the training duration under DDU-GKY?
a) 100–300 hours
b) 576–2304 hours
c) 2500–3000 hours
d) 200–500 hours
e) 5000 hours - Which special scheme is for Jammu & Kashmir under DDU-GKY?
a) Roshni
b) Himayat
c) Skill India
d) PMKVY
e) ASEEM - How many sectors are covered under DDU-GKY?
a) 25
b) 35
c) 50+
d) 100
e) 200 - When is Antyodaya Diwas observed?
a) 15th August
b) 26th January
c) 25th September
d) 2nd October
e) 1st May
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Answer Key
| Question Number | Correct Answer |
| 1 | b |
| 2 | c |
| 3 | c |
| 4 | a |
| 5 | b |
| 6 | d |
| 7 | b |
| 8 | b |
| 9 | c |
| 10 | c |
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