DDU-GKY: All you need to know about government’s scheme < Back 2024-04-26 By Ampersand Group What is DDU GKY? DDU-GKY stands for Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana. It the government’s skill training initiative for the rural youth of India. The programme is run by the Ministry of Rural India and it aims to equip rural youth between the age group of 15 to 35 years of age with skills that will help them to land employment opportunities or set them on a career pathway. What is the purpose of DDU-GKY? The origins of the DDU-GKY programme can be traced back to 2004 under the ‘special project’ component of the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) scheme. It was formally revisited and re-envisioned in September 2014 under a new skills framework and standard operating procedures. The purpose of the programme is to generate income diversity among the rural youth and help them realise their career potential. The aim has been to equip the rural youth with skills that will help them source regular wage employment. It has been underway since years by implementing skilling and placement initiatives to help Below Poverty Line (BPL) families cross the divide and become financially independent. What are the features of DDU-GKY? Over the years, the DDU-GKY programme has helped rural youth enter the workforce and in career progression by acquiring industry skills. The features of DDU-GKY are multi-fold. Take a look: 1. Pan-India The DDU-GKY scheme is set up across India and rural youth can get trained in specific vocations depending on location of their district. As per the Ministry of Rural Development, the scheme is implemented in all Indian states and in 2022, the programme had as many as 12 lakh candidates being trained. 2. Extensive Training Sectors Given its presence across India, DDU-GKY also offers training in a variety of sectors. Up until 2022, the programme’s training and implementation partners were offering training in almost 82 sectors which covered more than 400 job roles or trades. A candidate can opt for their industry preference depending on their location. 3. No cost involved The government subsidizes 100% of the training programme cost at its approved training centres. Candidates who sign up for training do not require to pay a fee but need to attend classes as well as on-the-job training, as per programme requirement. 4. Training duration The training duration for these programmes is flexible. Candidates can opt for 3,6,9 or 12-month training courses. Each of these courses also include on-the-job training or exams that are mandatory to complete for certification. Some programmes also provide flexibility in terms of part-time or full-time duration. Also, some training centres also allow candidate to enroll for National Open Schools to complete their education as well as receive skill training. What are the benefits of DDU-GKY? 1. Empowers BPL Families As explained above, DDU-GKY’s main aim is to empower families below the poverty line (BPL) by equipping the rural youth with skills that can be transferred professionally. As per MoRD, India approximately has 55 million youth between the age group of 15 to 35, thus empowering them is crucial for their financial independence and India’s economic growth. 2. Facilities Training centres are fully equipped with the necessary IT and educational material required to conduct different types of training successfully. These modern fully equipped centres provide training across various sectors such as health, retail, hospitality, automotive, construction, gems, leather, plumbing, electrical and jewellery among others. 3. On-the-job training This component of DDU-GKY is mandatory for all candidates. The duration for On-the-Job training differs as per the duration of the course. For a 3-month course, a candidate will get 30 days of on-the-job training. Likewise, 60 days for a 6-month course, 90 days for a 9-month course and 120 days for a 12-month course. 4. Career Assistance Training centres are also equipped to provide placement assistance to candidates once they complete their training. As per MoRD, candidates are paid Rs 1,000/- per month for 2 months if they are placed within the district, 3 months within the state and 6 months if placed in another state. This monetary assistance helps the candidate to settle into their new job and routine at the earliest without much hindrance. 5. Counselling and guidance The rural youth receive in-person counselling and guidance. These sessions help the candidates to pick a training course based on their aptitude. Training centres also provide professional guidance by providing placement opportunities and interaction with potential employers. How does DDU-GKY work? 1. DDU-GKY Model The DDU-GKY model follows a 3-tier implementation model. First, is the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) which acts as the national unit. It offers technical support and is the facilitating as well as policy-making agency. Second, are the DDU-GKY State Missions who provide implementation support. The on-boarded Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) then implement the skill training programmes. 2. Project Implementing Agencies The DDU-GKY is implemented across India by onboarding Project Implementing Agencies (PIA). The government sanctions projects to corporate training houses, NGOs, skill training experts or qualified trainers who run the operations and management of training centres. All PIAs need to comply with the standard operating procedures in place in order to run a training centre. This skill training project is one-of-a-kind as the government has set benchmarks for minimum standards and quality benchmarks in service. What is the Eligibility Criteria for DDU-GKY? 1. Age The programme focuses on rural youth between the age group of 15 to 35 years. However, it also offers age relaxation by 10 years for women candidates, and candidates belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Transgender and other Special Groups like rehabilitated bonded labour, victims of trafficking, manual scavengers, trans-genders, HIV positive persons. 2. Documents Required Candidates need to furnish documents in order to benefit from skill training. As per MoRD, any of these documents can be presented: BPL Card of self or household (where candidate’s name is also mentioned). MGNREGA worker card of any member of household, with a minimum of 15 days of completed work in the last 12 months. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card of household. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana3 (RSBY) card of household. BPL PDS card of household. National Rural Livelihood Mission -Self Help Group identification or certificate for any member of candidate’s household. Apart from these documents, candidates from the reserved category will need to provide these documents: SC/ST Certificate issued by competent authority. Disability Certificate issued by competent authority. Self-certification by the candidate for his/her status as minority community. Conclusion Ampersand Group is DDU-GKY’s preferred implementation partner Ampersand Group is a preferred project implementation partner of the DDU-GKY programme. In August 2023, Ampersand Group conducted an incredibly successful job fair with an impressive placement rate of 81% for the trades of healthcare, hospitality and retail in Bihar. Over the last 5 years, we have made an impact in 5 Indian states. We have trained close to 3,780 candidates in industries such as retail, healthcare, construction and IT-ITES in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. Of the 3,780 trained, 2820 were female and 960 were male candidates. In Bihar, we operated and managed three centres in Sasaram, Patna Gola Road and Patna Zero Mile. In other states, one centre each was set up to train youth and students in crucial skills that pave the way for potential employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Our short-term skill training courses act as a bridge between skilled labour and industry vacancies and cover every step, from the enrolment to the placement journey. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What sectors does the DDU-GKY program offer skill training in? The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) programme offers skill training in various sectors such as retail, healthcare, hospitality, tourism, construction, informational technology, automotive, agriculture, beauty and wellness among others. 2.Who are the beneficiaries of DDU-GKY? The DDU-GKY programme targets a specific group of beneficiaries, primarily focusing on rural youth and marginalised communities. The beneficiaries of the skill training programmes are rural youth, women, members from the SC and ST communities and other socio-economic disadvantaged groups. 3. What is the training fee for DDU-GKY programmes? The government subsidizes 100% of the training fee at its approved training centres. Candidates who sign up for training are not required to pay a fee.