By AimIndia Team 
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched on Antyodaya Diwas on 25th September 2014. The scheme aims to transform the lives of rural youth by equipping them with skills that lead to sustainable employment. This scheme is part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and contributes to national programs like Make in India and Skill India.
DDU-GKY focuses on empowering rural youth aged between 15 and 35 years from below-poverty-line (BPL) families. The scheme provides industry-relevant skills and offers job placements. It aims to target socially disadvantaged groups like Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), minorities, and women. By offering career progression courses, this program helps participants secure stable employment, either in India or abroad.
Objectives
- To provide high-quality skill training to rural youth.
- To ensure placement in regular wage jobs.
- To promote career progression through additional support.
- To focus on social and regional inclusion.
- To align with government initiatives like Digital India and Smart Cities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Rural youth aged 15-35 years.
- Youth from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
- Special consideration for women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and transgender individuals (upper age limit extended to 45 years).
- Beneficiaries from MGNREGA worker households, RSBY cardholders, and Antyodaya Anna Yojana households.
- Individuals identified through the Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) process.
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Benefits
- Skill training in over 250 trades across sectors like agriculture, construction, retail, and hospitality.
- Placement assistance with jobs earning above the minimum wage.
- Post-placement support to ensure job retention and career advancement.
- Incentives for higher placements, encouraging project implementing agencies to secure better-paying jobs for trainees.
- Social inclusion, ensuring participation from SCs, STs, minorities, and women.
Required Documents
- Proof of identity (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.).
- Proof of age (birth certificate or school certificate).
- BPL card (if applicable).
- MGNREGA job card (if applicable).
- RSBY card, AAY card, or SHG identification.
- Certificates for SC/ST/PwD (if applicable).
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Full Details & Online Apply
How to Apply
- Visit the Kaushal Panjee official website.
- Select “Candidate Registration” and complete the online registration form.
- Upload the required documents and submit the application.
- Keep the Registration ID for future reference.
Through its extensive coverage, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana plays a crucial role in enhancing the livelihood of rural youth by offering skill-based training and job placements, helping them achieve a stable income. The scheme is a key contributor to poverty reduction and rural development in India.