DDU-GKY 2.0: From Skill Development to Sustainable Rural Employment

DDU-GKY 2.0: Strengthening Skills and Employment for Rural Youth

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is implementing the upgraded Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 to improve employment opportunities for rural youth. 
• DDU-GKY was launched on 25 September 2014 under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). 
• The revised DDU-GKY 2.0 guidelines were notified in May 2025. 

Key Features

• The scheme provides placement-linked skill training to rural youth aged 15–35 years from poor households. 
• It promotes social inclusion through mandatory coverage of: 
  • 50% SC/ST candidates 
  • 33% women 
  • 5% persons with disabilities 
• Training is aligned with industry requirements and covers sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, aviation, textiles, beauty and wellness, and green jobs. 
• The minimum training duration remains 576 hours, including domain-specific and non-domain training. 
• Under DDU-GKY 2.0, the minimum placement period has been increased from 3 months to 6 months. 

Focus on Employment Retention

• Candidates receive ₹7,620 as post-placement support for six months. 
• An additional ₹5,000 retention support is available for candidates who remain employed for 365 days, subject to prescribed conditions. 
• Migration Support Centres assist workers with accommodation, counselling, employment information and other support. 
• Job Melas are organised at the block and Gram Panchayat levels to connect skilled rural youth with employers. 

Special Initiatives

• Roshni: Focuses on skill development in Left-Wing Extremism-affected and Aspirational Districts. 
• Himayat: Supports rural and urban youth in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through wage, self and gig employment. 
• North-East: 10% of DDU-GKY allocation is earmarked for North-Eastern States. 

Progress

• DDU-GKY is being implemented across 31 States/UTs, with 749 approved projects and 760 active training centres. 
• Since 2014-15, more than 18.47 lakh candidates have been trained and over 12.43 lakh placed. 
• RSETIs complement DDU-GKY by providing free residential training and support for rural self-employment. 

Practice Question

Q. With reference to the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, consider the following statements:

1. DDU-GKY 2.0 retains a minimum training duration of 576 hours and has increased the minimum placement period from three months to six months. 
2. The scheme mandates coverage of 50% women, 33% SC/ST candidates and 5% persons with disabilities. 
3. Under the scheme, 10% of the total allocation is earmarked for the North-Eastern States. 
4. Roshni focuses exclusively on rural youth in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 3 only
 B. 1, 2 and 3 only
 C. 2 and 4 only
 D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A. 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

• DDU-GKY 2.0 retains the minimum training duration of 576 hours and increases the minimum placement period from 3 months to 6 months. Hence, Statement 1 is Correct. 
• The scheme mandates coverage of 50% SC/ST candidates, 33% women and 5% persons with disabilities. Hence, Statement 2 is Incorrect. 
• 10% of the total DDU-GKY allocation is earmarked for the North-Eastern States. Hence, Statement 3 is Correct. 
• Roshni focuses on Left-Wing Extremism-affected and Aspirational Districts, while Himayat is the initiative for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Hence, Statement 4 is Incorrect.