Skill Development

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

Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India

About this scheme

About the scheme

DDU-GKY is a centrally sponsored skill and placement programme of the Ministry of Rural Development for poor rural youth. In its 2.0 version, the Ministry has announced that the first training batches begin in October 2026. The first phase covers 14 States and Union Territories, with 1,164 batches and about 34,920 youth. The ministry has also set up an integrated DDU-GKY 2.0 portal to monitor the programme digitally from start to finish. Gujarat is not on the first-phase state list, so Gujarat candidates should watch for later phases.

How to apply

  1. Visit the official DDU-GKY website and look for the training centres and courses in your state.
  2. Check that your age (15 to 35 years) and family background meet the scheme conditions.
  3. Contact the nearest training partner or the State Rural Livelihood Mission office to register for a batch.
  4. Complete the training and take part in the placement support that follows.

Documents required

  • Aadhaar card or other photo ID
  • Age proof
  • Proof of rural residence
  • Educational certificates, if the course needs them

Exact document and eligibility rules can differ by course and state, so confirm them with the training centre before registering.

Important dates

  • October 2026: first-phase training batches begin
  • 31 December 2027: target date for training 3,57,112 youth

Eligibility

- Rural youth aged 15 to 35 years - Belonging to economically disadvantaged rural families - Training is currently starting in 14 States/UTs: Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, Karnataka, Telangana and Bihar - Check the official portal for the latest state-wise list and any further eligibility conditions

Key Benefits

- Placement-linked skill training for rural youth - Training duration from 3 months to 12 months depending on the course - First phase: 1,164 batches covering about 34,920 youth from October 2026 - Overall target: 3,57,112 rural youth to be trained by 31 December 2027
Official Portal
MinistryMinistry of Rural Development, Government of India
CategorySkill Development