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Govt Schemes

DDU-GKY: free skill training and job placement for rural youth aged 15 to 35

DDU-GKY offers free skill training and placement in jobs for poor rural youth. Here is who qualifies, what the training covers, and how to register.

Village Square, NC, IIT Mandi, HP, India, D35 2995nx-01 01
Representative photo: Village Square, NC, IIT Mandi, HP, India, D35 2995nx-01 01. Photo: Adarsh Patel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.

At a glance
SchemeDeen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
MinistryMinistry of Rural Development, Govt of India
BenefitFree skill training and job placement with a regular monthly salary
Who can applyPoor rural youth aged 15 to 35 years
How it is givenTraining through partner training centres, then placement in a job
Apply atddugky.gov.in or the Kaushal Panjee portal, or through a training partner
Cost to applyFree

Key points

  • Meant for poor rural youth aged 15 to 35 years.
  • Training is free and leads to placement in a job.
  • Jobs should pay a regular monthly salary at or above minimum wage.
  • The scheme tracks you after placement to help you keep and grow in the job.

So what exactly does a candidate get?

Selected youth receive skill training for jobs in different sectors.

The training is linked to placement in a job with a regular monthly salary.

The salary should be at or above the minimum wage.

After placement, the scheme tracks you to help you keep the job and move up in your career.

Amounts, durations and training centres can change, so please confirm the current details on the official site.

Who can apply, and who cannot?

The main target group is poor rural youth.

The general age limit is 15 to 35 years.

Women candidates, people from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, and some special groups can get an extended age limit up to 45 years.

Special groups include rehabilitated bonded labourers, victims of trafficking, manual scavengers and HIV-positive persons.

Urban youth are not the target of this scheme.

A short background: when did it start?

DDU-GKY is a skill training and job placement programme of the Ministry of Rural Development.

It has been running since 2014, and the Union government works with states to carry it out.

The scheme is named after Deendayal Upadhyaya, who led the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

States such as Odisha have started planning a second phase, called DDU-GKY 2.0, to train more rural youth.

What documents should you keep ready?

Keep your Aadhaar card ready, along with your age proof.

Keep your address proof and a recent passport size photograph.

Keep your mobile number and an email ID, if you have one.

Keep your bank account details and any education certificates you hold.

Check the Kaushal Panjee portal for the exact document list before you apply.

How do you apply online, step by step?

Go to ddugky.gov.in and look for the registration or Kaushal Panjee link.

Fill in your personal, address and education details as they appear on your documents.

Upload the documents asked for, and check that everything is clear and correct.

Submit the form and note down your registration number for future use.

How to apply for DDU-GKY, step by step
  1. 1
    Go to the portalGo to ddugky.gov.in and look for the registration or Kaushal Panjee link.
  2. 2
    Fill in your detailsEnter personal, address and education details as they appear on your documents.
  3. 3
    Upload documentsUpload the documents asked for, and check that everything is clear and correct.
  4. 4
    Submit and note numberSubmit the form and note down your registration number for future use.

Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report

Can you apply offline instead?

Yes, you can also approach a DDU-GKY training partner or training centre near you.

Local panchayat or rural development offices can also guide you on the process.

Ask the centre to explain the course, the placement support and any fees, which should be nil.

How do you check status, and what if things get stuck?

Check your registration status on the portal using your registration number.

If your training or placement is delayed, contact the training partner first.

You can also raise a concern through the official website or your state rural development office.

Helpline and important tips

Never pay any agent or person who promises a job or a seat in training.

Training under this scheme is meant to be free, so report anyone who asks for money.

For the latest helpline details, please check the official website ddugky.gov.in.

Frequently asked questions

Is DDU-GKY training free?

Yes, the scheme is meant to provide free skill training. Never pay anyone who asks for money.

Is there an upper age limit?

The general limit is 35 years. Women, PVTG candidates and some special groups can apply up to 45 years.

Is the job guaranteed?

The scheme aims at placement in jobs with regular salaries, but no job is guaranteed. Check the official site for current details.

Can I apply if I already have a job?

The scheme is aimed at youth who need employment. Please confirm your eligibility on the official website.

Where do I register?

Register at ddugky.gov.in through the Kaushal Panjee portal, or approach a nearby training partner.

🕒 The story so far

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  2. DDU-GKY: free skill training and job placement for rural youth aged 15 to 35
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