Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is the placement-linked skill programme for rural poor youth aged 15–35. Unlike open skill schemes, DDU-GKY is residential in most projects, fully free — including food and lodging — and the training partner is accountable for placing you in a job after certification.
Key facts
| Target group | Rural poor youth, 15–35 years (upper age relaxed for women & vulnerable groups) |
| Cost | Free — training, uniforms, materials, food & lodging covered |
| Format | Residential/non-residential courses, 3–12 months |
| Placement | Mandatory placement focus — partners must place a large share of trainees |
| Run by | Ministry of Rural Development with state missions & training partners |
| Portal | ddugky.gov.in |
Who is eligible
- Rural youth aged 15–35 from poor families — inclusion via MGNREGA worker households, BPL, SECC deprivation criteria, or antyodaya categories
- Age relaxation up to 45 for women, persons with disabilities and other special groups
- Priority quotas for SC/ST (50%), minorities (15%) and women (33%)
What training looks like
- Job roles across retail, hospitality, healthcare, construction, logistics, IT and more
- Soft skills, spoken English and computer literacy are built into every course
- Free uniforms, course material, and food & accommodation for residential batches
- Post-placement support: stipends/top-ups for initial months in the job and migration support centres in big cities
How to join
- Find approved training centres via the ddugky.gov.in portal (Kaushal Panjee candidate registration) or your district rural development office
- Register on Kaushal Panjee with basic details — centres also run village mobilisation camps
- Choose a job role/course and complete the enrolment verification at the centre
- Complete training and assessment; the partner arranges interviews and placement
Registration and training are completely free.
Frequently asked questions
Is DDU-GKY really free, including hostel?
Yes — for approved residential projects, boarding and lodging are part of the funded package. You should not pay anything to enrol.
What salary can I expect after placement?
Entry-level placements typically start around minimum-wage-plus levels varying by sector and city; partners must ensure a minimum salary threshold and track retention.
How is this different from PMKVY?
PMKVY offers open short-term training; DDU-GKY targets rural poor youth with longer, often residential courses and stronger placement accountability. See our PMKVY guide to compare.
Related schemes
Disclaimer: PMYojanaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always verify details on the official site ddugky.gov.in before applying.