The Ministry of Rural Development is set to launch training under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 across 24 states and Union Territories starting in October 2026. Training is expected to commence for approximately 70,000 rural youths, organized into 2,015 batches.
According to the DDU-GKY 2.0 portal, 24 states/Union Territories have already allocated training targets totaling 5.6 lakh to Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) across more than 1,200 projects. The remaining states and Union Territories are also in the final stages of completing the target allocation process.
Under DDU-GKY 2.0, the 31 participating states and Union Territories have been allocated training targets exceeding 9 lakh for the two-year period from 2026 to 2028. These states and Union Territories are responsible for mobilizing eligible rural youth and conducting demand-driven, placement-linked training through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
DDU-GKY 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that provides placement-linked skill training to poor rural youth. The training courses range from 3 to 12 months in duration and are aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). The program aims to equip beneficiaries with market-relevant skills and enhance their long-term employment opportunities.
The Ministry has asked states and Union Territories to expedite the process of allocating targets to PIAs and ensure that training batches commence within the stipulated timeframe.
States and UTs have been asked to complete target allocation to PIAs by October 31, 2026, so that training can commence within the stipulated timeline. To speed up the rollout, the Ministry is holding review meetings with States and UTs and regularly monitoring progress to ensure training batches under DDU-GKY 2.0 begin on time.
(PIB)
