Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), launched on 25 September 2014 under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), provides placement-linked skill training to marginalized and vulnerable rural youth aged 15 to 35 years. The revised DDU-GKY 2.0 framework prioritizes industry-led training, sustainable employment, post-placement support, upskilling, and reskilling, backed by an end-to-end digital system for tracking and employer engagement. As of June 2026, the programme has trained 18.45 lakh rural youth and placed 12.35 lakh. Success stories from across states illustrate how the initiative helps rural youth transition from training to domestic employment, overseas opportunities, local enterprises, and inclusive livelihoods.