Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

What is it?

DDU-GKY is the Ministry of Rural Development's placement-linked skill training programme for young people from poor rural households. The word that matters here is "placement-linked". Unlike a plain training course, the agencies that run DDU-GKY training are held to a job placement target, so the training is supposed to end in work, not just a certificate.

The usual age range is 15 to 35 years. For women, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, persons with disabilities, transgender persons and certain other special groups, the upper age limit is relaxed to 45 years. The scheme has mandatory social inclusion requirements, meaning fixed shares of the seats are set aside for disadvantaged communities.

On placement, the rules are specific: a minimum of 70 percent of the candidates trained must be placed, of which at least 50 percent must be in wage employment and no more than 20 percent may be counted as self-employment. The salary given to placed candidates must be "as per the Minimum wages or above". Post-placement support and retention assistance are also provided, which means the programme keeps helping after you start the job, because many rural young people leave a first job in a distant city within a few months.

The programme is running at scale. In calendar year 2025, 82,272 candidates were trained, and 37,035 candidates were placed up to October 2025. It operates across 27 States and 4 Union Territories through 611 active training centres.

Training is delivered by project implementing agencies at DDU-GKY training centres rather than by a single national online application form, so the practical route in is through your State Rural Livelihoods Mission, your district rural development office, or a DDU-GKY training centre near you.

Potential benefit

Free placement-linked skill training for rural youth, delivered through project implementing agencies. A minimum of 70 percent of trained candidates must be placed, with at least 50 percent in wage employment and a maximum of 20 percent counted as self-employment. Salary to placed candidates is given "as per the Minimum wages or above". Post-placement support and retention assistance are also provided. The specific rupee value of post-placement support was not stated on the official page I verified, so no amount is given here.

Who can apply?

Other conditions stated by the government

• For rural youth, with a primary target age of 15 to 35 years.
• The upper age limit is extended to 45 years for women, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, persons with disabilities, transgender persons and other special groups.
• The scheme carries mandatory social inclusion requirements, so a fixed share of seats is reserved for disadvantaged communities.
• It is a placement-linked programme: the implementing agency must place a minimum of 70 percent of those trained, at least 50 percent in wage employment and at most 20 percent in self-employment.
• Placed candidates must be paid at or above the applicable minimum wages.

Eligibility information is provided for informational purposes only. Final eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant government authority.

How to apply

Candidates are mobilised and enrolled through project implementing agencies running DDU-GKY training centres, of which 611 were active across 27 States and 4 UTs in 2025. Approach your State Rural Livelihoods Mission, your district rural development office or a nearby DDU-GKY training centre to find an open batch and enrol. The official page I verified does not set out a national step-by-step online application process.

Where to apply: offline

Deadline

No fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.