Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0

Background

  • DDU-GKY was launched on 25 September 2014 by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
  • It provides placement-linked skill training to rural youth from poor households.
  • India's youth population is projected to reach nearly 345 million by 2036, underscoring the need for expanded skilling.

Key Features of DDU-GKY

  • Target group: Rural youth aged 15–35 years from poor households.
  • Social inclusion mandates: SC/ST (50%), women (33%), persons with disabilities (5%).
  • Budget 2026–27: ₹750 crore allocated.

DDU-GKY 2.0 (Notified May 2025)

  • End-to-end skilling: training → placement → retention → career progression.
  • Training structure: Minimum 576 hours — 396 hours domain-specific + 180 hours mandatory non-domain training.
  • Placement duration increased from 3 to 6 months; recognises wage, self-employment and gig employment.
  • Sectoral expansion: Aerospace/aviation, agriculture, beauty & wellness, green jobs, healthcare, textiles.
  • Job Melas: up to ₹50,000 for Gram Panchayat-level fairs; ₹1 lakh for block-level fairs.
  • Migration Support Centres (MSCs): funding raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh per centre annually.
  • Digital monitoring: real-time dashboards, public candidate portal, face-authenticated attendance, integration with Skill India Digital Hub.
  • State rollout: Goa first State to create batches; Andhra Pradesh trained 12,000+ candidates; J&K allocated 100% targets.

Special Initiatives

  • Roshni: skilling in LWE-affected districts and Aspirational Districts; 40% women participation; residential training.
  • Himayat: for J&K and Ladakh (BPL and APL youth); 100% centrally funded.
  • North East: 10% of allocation earmarked.
  • Difficult areas: Special Area Allowance of 10% of base training cost to PIAs.

Achievements (since 2014–15)

  • Implemented across 31 States/UTs; 749 projects, 760 training centres, 455+ PIAs.
  • 18.47 lakh youth trained across 36 sectors and 800+ job roles.
  • 12.43 lakh placements secured.
  • 9.71 lakh women trained; 6.34 lakh placed.

Complementary Initiative: RSETIs

  • Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (since 2009) provide free residential training for self-employment.
  • Target: rural youth aged 18–50 years, especially BPL/DAY-NRLM families.
  • 647 RSETIs operational in 634 districts across 33 States/UTs; 63.47 lakh trained, 45.60 lakh settled.

Significance

  • Shift from mere skill training to sustainable livelihood creation.
  • Supports inclusive growth and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

PYQ Reference

  • Prelims 2012: NRLM improves livelihoods by strengthening SHGs and providing skill development.
  • Mains 2017/2015: Role of SHGs in development; SHG Bank Linkage Programme.