Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana 2.0 is a rural skilling programme of the Government of India that was upgraded through notified guidelines in May 2025. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development and focuses on training, placement, post-placement support, and employment sustainability for rural youth.
Scheme framework and objectives
DDU-GKY was launched in 2014-15 as a placement-linked skill development programme for rural youth. The 2.0 version extends placement duration to six months and provides 12 months of post-placement tracking. It also includes financial assistance of ₹7,620 over six months and retention support of ₹5,000 for candidates employed for 365 days.
Implementation and coverage
As of September 2026, DDU-GKY 2.0 is being implemented across 31 States and Union Territories. The programme has more than 749 approved projects, over 760 active training centres, and more than 455 Project Implementing Agencies. The Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated ₹750 crore to the scheme.
Training, sectors and special components
The revised framework provides industry-led training in sectors such as aerospace and aviation, agriculture, beauty and wellness, green jobs, and healthcare. It also uses an end-to-end digital system for monitoring and employment tracking. Special components include Roshni for Left-Wing Extremism-affected districts and Himayat for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Important Facts for Exams
- DDU-GKY is a placement-linked rural skilling scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development.
- The upgraded guidelines were notified in May 2025.
- The scheme provides six months of placement support and 12 months of post-placement tracking.
- Roshni and Himayat are special programmes under DDU-GKY 2.0.
Recent targets and migration support
The Ministry of Rural Development plans to begin the first major round of training under DDU-GKY 2.0 from October 2026. More than 34,000 rural youth are scheduled for training in 1,164 batches across 14 States and Union Territories, and the sanctioned target for these 14 regions is 3,57,112 rural youth by 31 December 2027. Migration Support Centres are being set up by State Rural Livelihoods Missions to provide accommodation, counselling, and placement assistance.
