ABOUT DDUGKY

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a flagship skill development program by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, aimed at empowering rural youth aged 15-35 years (up to 45 for special groups like SC/ST, women, and minorities). Launched as part of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), it focuses on providing market-relevant skills and sustainable employment opportunities to rural poor youth, with a goal of poverty alleviation through wage or self-employment.

Key Features of DDU-GKY: Free Training: Offers fully-funded, industry-aligned courses in sectors like retail, hospitality, healthcare, IT, construction, automotive, and more, adhering to National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) standards. Duration: Training programs range from 3 months (576 hours) to 12 months (2304 hours), including soft skills, English, and digital literacy. Placement Guarantee: Mandates at least 70% placement in jobs with a minimum salary of ₹6,000 per month, with post-placement support for up to 6 months. Inclusivity: Prioritizes marginalized groups, with 50% of funds allocated for SC/ST, 15% for minorities, and 33% for women. Special provisions exist for differently-abled individuals and regions like J&K and North-East. Implementation: Executed through Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), which include private companies, NGOs, and training institutes, monitored via a robust system involving Gram Panchayats, state missions, and central oversight. Additional Benefits: Includes free uniforms, course materials, residential facilities (if needed), and post-training career counseling. Trainees receive a stipend during training and placement-linked incentives.

Achievements (as per recent data): Over 14 lakh candidates trained and 9 lakh placed in jobs across India. Operates in 27 states and 3 Union Territories with over 700 training centers. Focus on emerging sectors like green jobs, retail, and e-commerce. Integration with UPSDM: In Uttar Pradesh, DDU-GKY aligns with the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), leveraging its infrastructure to deliver training and placements. Candidates can register through local UPSDM centers or the official DDU-GKY website (www.ddugky.gov.in). For more details or to apply, visit www.ddugky.gov.in or www.upsdm.gov.in. You can also check for updates or specific training programs via the UPSDM portal.