DDU-GKY 2.0 Training Batches for 34,920 Rural Youth to Begin in October

The Centre is preparing to launch the next phase of its rural skill development programme, with DDU-GKY 2.0 training for 34,920 rural youth scheduled to begin in October 2026 across 14 States and Union Territories.

The first phase will see 1,164 training batches commence against a sanctioned target of 3,57,112 rural youth to be trained by December 31, 2027. The preparations were reviewed with Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, Karnataka, Telangana and Bihar.

DDU-GKY 2.0, which came into effect in April 2025, expands the earlier model by covering self-employment and gig employment alongside regular wage-based placements. States and UTs are also required to assess local skill gaps and employment opportunities while planning training programmes.

The placement-linked character of the scheme remains central. At least 70 per cent of trained candidates must secure placement for a project to receive its full eligible cost. Under the framework, placement involves continuous employment for at least three months, subject to prescribed wage conditions.

The scheme has trained 16.50 lakh candidates and placed 10.52 lakh between its launch in 2014-15 and March 31, 2024. During 2023-24, 1,98,693 candidates were trained and 1,47,421 secured placements.

The government has allocated targets for the 2026-28 period to all 31 participating States/UTs. More than 5 lakh targets have already been assigned to Project Implementing Agencies, while 24 States/UTs have allocated 5.6 lakh targets across more than 1,200 projects.

Another key feature is the integrated DDU-GKY 2.0 portal, which brings project processes, monitoring and payments onto a digital platform. States have been asked to complete pending treasury portal integration by September 30.

Regional workshops for implementing agencies will also be held in October to familiarise them with the new portal and implementation procedures.