DDU-GKY is one of the cluster of initiatives under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) aimed at livelihood diversification and poverty reduction. DDU-GKY aims to skill rural youth and promote sustainable livelihoods for rural youth through placement linked skilling programs.

Under DDU-GKY, efforts are made to align the aspirations of rural youth with the evolving skill requirements of the labour market. States/UTs are provided budgetary support to undertake skill gap studies to identify sectoral opportunities and employment potential in their regions. Based on these studies, States/UTs and Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) are encouraged to propose training programmes in emerging and high-growth sectors aligned with local, domestic and global job markets. While submitting project proposals, PIAs are required to provide justification and demand assessment for the sectors proposed, ensuring that training under DDU-GKY remains demand-driven and industry-relevant.

So far under DDUGKY, a total of 18.45 lakh candidates has been trained and 12.35 lakh have been placed till June 2026.

The sectors that have been identified for the training and placement of rural youth under the said scheme are given as Annexure I.

Funds are released to Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), subject to achieving the placement target. PIAs are required to ensure placement of at least 70% of trained candidates, with at least 50% placed in wage employment. Post Placement Support (PPS) is provided to eligible candidates to facilitate retention for a period of six months and tracking for up to twelve months.

The Budget Estimate (BE) for the FY 2026-27 is ₹ 750.00 crore as Central Share.

This information was given by Minister of State for the Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Annexure-I

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (b) of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Q. No. 774 for reply on 24.07.2026

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RC/PU

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