Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a skill development scheme of Ministry of Rural Development that trains rural poor youth and places them in jobs paying at least minimum wage. In 2026 the scheme is moving into a new phase called DDUGKY 2.0, and candidate registration is now handled through the new official portals kaushal.rural.gov.in and kaushalbharat.gov.in.
Launched on 25 September 2014, DDU-GKY is part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). It gives free residential skill training to rural youth from poor families and helps them find stable jobs with fair monthly wages. The scheme does not stop at the training certificate. It keeps tracking and mentoring candidates after placement so they stay in their jobs and grow in their careers.
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana - Introduction
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is the main skill training and placement scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development. It focuses on rural youth who are poor and unemployed, giving them industry-relevant training and connecting them to jobs with a verifiable salary. Training, food, accommodation and placement support are all covered under the scheme.
In 2026 the scheme is being run under DDUGKY 2.0. The Ministry has moved the unified IT platform to kaushal.rural.gov.in, which is called KAUSHALPRAGATI and now handles both DDUGKY and RSETI. State-level notices and the Kaushal Bharat portal (kaushalbharat.gov.in) carry the latest updates, including expression of interest and notification documents for the new phase.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) |
| Level | Central |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Rural Development |
| Nodal Department | Department of Rural Development |
| Beneficiary States | All states |
| Category | Skills and Employment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual, Family |
| Benefit Type | In-Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Open Date | 2019-02-01 |
| Official Portal | kaushal.rural.gov.in |
Benefits
This scheme goes beyond basic training and gives complete support for the professional journey of a candidate:
- Free Skill Training: Candidates receive industry-standard training in sectors like agriculture, construction, retail and hospitality to match current job market needs. Food, accommodation and training costs are covered.
- Placement Support: Expert mentors guide candidates through resume building and interview preparation, and connect them directly with reputable employers. The goal is a job that pays at least minimum wage.
- Post-Placement Support: After a candidate lands a job, the scheme provides counseling and mentorship to help them settle into their new workplace and stay there.
- Career Progression: Candidates get access to ongoing networking and advanced training so their careers keep moving forward.
- Higher Placement Incentives: Training agencies are rewarded when they place candidates in jobs that pay well and match the skills gained, which leads to better long-term outcomes.
Eligibility
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is made for poor rural youth. A candidate is eligible under the following criteria:
- General Age Group: 15 to 35 years.
- Special Age Relaxation: Women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), transgender individuals, and victims of trafficking or bonded labor can apply up to the age of 45.
A candidate is considered eligible even if not on the BPL list, provided any of these conditions are met: the household has worked for at least 15 days under MGNREGA in the previous year, the name is on an RSBY card of the household, the household holds an Antyodaya Anna Yojana or BPL PDS card, the person is a member of a Self Help Group (SHG) under NRLM, or the family qualifies under SECC 2011 auto-inclusion parameters.
Application Process
Online
In 2026 the registration process has moved to the new official platform. Candidates can register through the KAUSHALPRAGATI portal at kaushal.rural.gov.in, which is the unified IT platform for DDUGKY and RSETI.
STEP 1 - Visit the official portal at kaushal.rural.gov.in and look for the candidate registration or candidate login section on the homepage.
STEP 2 - Select the option for fresh or new registration and open the online registration form.
STEP 3 - Fill in all personal details, upload the required documents, and submit the form. Save the Registration ID or Kaushal Panjee ID (KPID) for any future correspondence.
STEP 4 - After registration, the training agency or State Rural Livelihood Mission verifies the details and enrols the candidate in a training batch. Updates on batches and placement are available on the Kaushal Bharat portal.
Documents
Keep a digital or physical copy of the following documents ready for the application:
- Identity proof
- Age verification documents
- BPL card, MGNREGA card, RSBY card, or AAY card (whichever is applicable)
- SHG membership proof (if applicable)
- Disability certificate or Caste certificate issued by the relevant authority
- Self-declaration for minority community status
References
More official details and support resources are available through the links below:
- KAUSHALPRAGATI - official portal for DDUGKY and RSETI
- Kaushal Bharat portal - latest DDUGKY 2.0 updates
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Access via UMANG App
FAQ's
What sectors does Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana cover?
The scheme trains youth in high-demand sectors such as agriculture, retail, construction and hospitality.
What is DDUGKY 2.0?
DDUGKY 2.0 is the new phase of the scheme being rolled out in 2026. The Ministry of Rural Development has moved registration and monitoring to the unified KAUSHALPRAGATI platform at kaushal.rural.gov.in.
Which portal should I use for registration in 2026?
Use the new official portal at kaushal.rural.gov.in. The older kaushalpanjee.nic.in portal is no longer working, so candidates should register through the new platform.
Who qualifies for the 45-year age limit?
Women, persons with disabilities, transgender people, and survivors of bonded labor are eligible up to 45 years of age.
How is the training selection process done?
Candidates are identified using the Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) process and through records like MGNREGA or SHG membership.
Are there reservations for SC and ST candidates?
Yes, 50% of the funding is reserved specifically for SC and ST beneficiaries.
Is support available for persons with disabilities?
States make sure at least 3% of all beneficiaries are persons with disabilities.
How does this scheme encourage better jobs?
Incentives are given to training agencies when they secure jobs that exceed minimum wage and match the skills gained.
Does this support continue after I get hired?
Yes. Candidates receive ongoing mentorship, counseling and networking opportunities even after joining their new workplace.
How does the 15-day MGNREGA work rule apply?
If anyone in the family has worked for at least 15 days under MGNREGA in the past year, the candidate automatically qualifies for this skill training.
Is there specific support for minority groups?
Yes, 15% of the program funds are earmarked to make sure all communities take part.
How can I reach out for post-placement assistance?
The designated placement agency coordinates with the candidate to provide mentorship and support whenever work-related problems come up.