Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

Introduction of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): A Brief Insight

Millions of young people in India’s villages are willing to work but lack the skills employers need and the guidance to find suitable jobs. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) addresses this gap by providing skill training to youth from poor rural families and helping them secure employment.

The Ministry of Rural Development launched DDU-GKY on 25 September 2014 under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The scheme has since evolved into an upgraded version known as DDU-GKY 2.0, with revised guidelines issued in May 2025.

The Ministry of Rural Development implements the scheme through State Rural Livelihoods Missions. Training agencies, known as Project Implementing Agencies, conduct the courses, while candidates can register through the Kaushal Panjee portal.

DDU-GKY aims to help rural youth from poor families become skilled, employable and financially independent. Its focus goes beyond providing training by connecting skill development with actual job opportunities.

Under the scheme, candidates receive free training through courses covering at least 576 hours. They can choose from 36 sectors and more than 800 job roles. Every project has a placement target of at least 70%, with employment at the minimum wage or above for a minimum period of 6 months.

The support continues even after a candidate joins a job. An eligible placed candidate receives ₹7,620, paid at ₹1,270 per month for six months. Candidates who remain employed for 365 days can also receive ₹5,000 as retention support. Job Melas and Migration Support Centres provide additional assistance.

Rural youth aged 15 to 35 years from poor households can apply. The upper age limit extends to 45 years for women, persons with disabilities and certain other eligible groups. Applicants must establish their family’s eligibility through any one of the five accepted proofs, such as a BPL card, RSBY card, registered Self Help Group membership or proof of at least 15 days of MGNREGS work.

Every project must cover at least 50% candidates from SC and ST communities, 33% women and 5% persons with disabilities. Special programmes such as Roshni and Himayat extend training opportunities to districts affected by left-wing extremism and youth from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Interested candidates can register through the Kaushal Panjee portal to obtain a Kaushal Panjee ID. They can also visit a nearby training centre or contact their State Rural Livelihoods Mission for assistance. For portal-related queries, candidates can write to helpdesk.kaushalpanjee@gmail.com. The Ministry’s office is located at Jai Singh Road, New Delhi.

Young people looking for skill development opportunities under the Skill India Mission can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. Those interested in gaining work experience with companies can check the PM Internship Scheme. Rural families seeking guaranteed wage employment can also read about the Viksit Bharat G RAM G Yojana.

Rural youth, women, persons with disabilities and job seekers can explore more skill development, employment and livelihood opportunities through our Central Government Welfare Schemes List page.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) helps rural youth from poor families gain skills, find suitable jobs and build a stable career. The scheme supports candidates at every stage, from skill training and certification to job placement and post-placement assistance. Here are the key benefits available under the programme.

During Training

• Skill training at no cost to candidates, with free boarding and lodging for residential courses
• At least 576 hours of training, including 396 hours of trade-specific training and 180 hours of compulsory life and work skills
• Training in English communication, employability and life skills, computer and digital literacy, and entrepreneurship, with 60, 60, 30 and 30 hours allocated to these subjects, respectively
• Training across 36 sectors, including aviation, agriculture, beauty and wellness, green jobs, healthcare and textiles, covering more than 800 job roles
• Attendance tracking through biometric and face authentication to maintain transparent training records
• Access to a public candidate portal to search for training opportunities and check the performance ratings of training agencies before joining

Certification

• Independent assessment by a Sector Skill Council of NSDC to evaluate each trainee’s skills, knowledge and attitude
• A recognised certificate that employers can verify online

Help to Get a Job

• A minimum 70% placement target for every project, requiring training agencies to support candidates in finding employment
• At least 50% of placements in wage employment, with up to 20% allowed in self-employment or gig work
• Employment at the minimum wage or above
• Job Melas at block and Gram Panchayat levels, where candidates can register, receive counselling and connect with verified employers, followed by one year of job tracking
• A minimum employment period of 6 months, which may be continuous or in separate periods, through wage employment, self-employment or gig work

Money After You Get a Job

• ₹7,620 in financial assistance to a placed candidate, paid at ₹1,270 per month for 6 months
• ₹5,000 in retention support for candidates who remain employed for 365 days, allowing a break of up to 60 days
• 12 months of post-placement tracking to help candidates continue in their jobs
• Opportunities for upskilling and reskilling after completing 12 months in employment to improve career prospects

Support if You Move for Work

• Migration Support Centres established by State Rural Livelihoods Missions in candidates’ home States and the States where they find employment
• Assistance with accommodation, counselling and job placement through these centres
• Support in settling in a city and continuing stable employment, with centres coordinating with local offices and service providers
• Annual funding of up to ₹30 lakh per centre, increased from the earlier limit of ₹10 lakh

For Special Groups and Regions

• Roshni provides residential training in districts affected by left-wing extremism, with 40% of seats reserved for women
• Himayat supports youth from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh through 100% Central Government funding for wage employment, self-employment and gig work
• 10% of the scheme’s allocation is earmarked for the North Eastern States
• Training agencies working in hard-to-reach areas receive an additional 10% of the training cost to encourage skill development in remote villages

Results So Far

• More than 18.47 lakh candidates trained since 2014-15
• More than 12.43 lakh candidates placed in jobs
• More than 9.71 lakh women trained, of whom more than 6.34 lakh have been placed
• Implementation across 31 States and Union Territories, with 749 approved projects and more than 760 training centres
• An allocation of ₹750 crore in the Union Budget for 2026-27

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), run by the Ministry of Rural Development, provides skill training and job opportunities to rural youth from poor households. Candidates should meet the following conditions before registering through Kaushal Panjee.

Basic Eligibility

• The applicant must be a rural youth living in a village.
• The applicant must belong to a poor household.
• The applicant must be between 15 and 35 years of age.
• The applicant should be interested in receiving skill training and finding a job after completing the course.

Proof of a Poor Household (Any One)

• The family holds or appears on a BPL card.
• The family holds or appears on a BPL PDS card, also known as the Antyodaya Anna Yojana card in some States.
• The family holds or appears on an RSBY card.
• A family member belongs to a Self Help Group registered in the village.
• A family member has completed at least 15 days of paid work under MGNREGS during the last 12 months.

Upper Age Limit of 45 Years

• Women candidates
• Candidates belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
• Persons with disabilities
• Transgender persons
• Other eligible special groups, including rehabilitated bonded labourers, victims of trafficking, manual scavengers and people living with HIV

Mandatory Coverage in Every Project

• At least 50% of the candidates must belong to the SC and ST communities.
• At least 33% of the candidates must be women.
• At least 5% of the candidates must be persons with disabilities.
• These percentages are project-level targets that training providers must meet. They do not prevent other eligible rural youth from applying.

Special Programmes with Their Own Conditions

• Roshni: This programme targets youth from districts identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs as affected by left-wing extremism. It provides residential training, reserves 40% of seats for women and also extends to Aspirational Districts.
• Himayat: This programme covers youth from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Applicants can belong to rural or urban areas and either BPL or APL families.
• North East: The North Eastern States receive 10% of the scheme’s allocation, which helps provide additional training opportunities to youth from the region.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Youth living in a city or town, except those covered under Himayat in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Youth whose families cannot provide any one of the five accepted proofs of a poor household.
• Applicants below 15 years or above 35 years, unless they belong to a category eligible for the extended age limit of 45 years.
• Applicants who are above 45 years of age.
• People seeking financial assistance or a loan to start their own business. They can explore the Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), which provide self-employment training to rural youth aged 18 to 50 years.

Documents Required to be Attached

To apply for the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), candidates should keep documents ready to establish their identity, rural residence, family income status and educational qualifications. The Kaushal Panjee portal of the Ministry of Rural Development lists five documents as proof of poverty, out of which any one is sufficient. Candidates may also need the other documents listed below during registration and later stages of the programme. The exact requirements may vary depending on the training centre and the candidate’s category.

Proof That Your Family Is Poor (Any One)

• Family BPL card
• BPL PDS card, also known as the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card in some States
• Family RSBY card
• Proof that a family member belongs to a Self Help Group registered in the village
• MGNREGS job card showing that a family member completed at least 15 days of paid work during the last 12 months

Identity and Age

• Aadhaar Card of the candidate
• Birth certificate or school certificate showing the date of birth
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Active mobile number of the candidate
• Email address of the candidate, if available

Residence

• Proof of rural residence, such as a ration card, voter ID card or residence certificate
• Details of the candidate’s village, block and district
• SECC data entry of the family, if the portal identifies the household through this database

Education

• Marksheet or certificate of the highest class passed
• School leaving certificate or transfer certificate, if required

Papers for Special Categories

• Caste certificate for candidates belonging to the SC or ST category
• Disability certificate for candidates with disabilities
• Proof of belonging to a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
• Relevant documents establishing the status of a transgender person, rehabilitated bonded labourer, victim of trafficking, manual scavenger or person living with HIV, where the candidate seeks the applicable upper age limit of 45 years
• Proof of the mother’s or father’s participation in a course, if the training centre requires it for a women’s course or residential training

Bank and Registration Details

• Candidate’s bank account details, including the account number and IFSC code
• Copy of the bank passbook or a cancelled cheque
• Kaushal Panjee ID generated after registration on the portal
• Temporary ID, if the candidate has saved an incomplete registration

Papers After You Get a Job

• Appointment letter or job offer letter issued by the employer
• Salary slips or bank statements showing the wages received
• Proof of the workplace location, if the candidate gets a job in another State
• Documents confirming continued employment, if the candidate claims retention support

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

You can apply for the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) in two ways. You can register yourself through the Ministry of Rural Development’s Kaushal Panjee portal or visit a nearby training centre or your State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) for assistance. Both options help you register as a candidate and connect with a training agency for skill development.

Follow the steps below carefully. Each step explains what you need to do, where to click and what information to keep ready.

Before You Start

Step 1: First, check your age and residence. You must live in a rural area and be between 15 and 35 years old. The upper age limit is 45 years for eligible special categories.

Step 2: Keep any one of the five accepted proofs of a poor household ready. You can use a BPL card, Antyodaya Anna Yojana card, RSBY card, proof of a family member’s membership in a registered Self Help Group, or an MGNREGS job card showing at least 15 days of paid work during the last 12 months.

Step 3: Keep your Aadhaar card, active mobile number and bank account details nearby. You may also need your educational certificates and other supporting documents during registration.

Step 4: If you want to understand the scheme before applying, read the Press Information Bureau’s explainer on DDU-GKY 2.0.

Apply Online on the Kaushal Panjee Portal

Step 1: Open the Kaushal Panjee portal on your mobile phone or computer.

Step 2: On the homepage, find the section titled Are You Looking For Skill Training. This section is meant for candidates who want to join a training course.

Step 3: Click on Candidate Registration to open the registration form.

Step 4: Select your State, district, block and village from the available lists. Choose the correct location where you live.

Step 5: If your family appears in the SECC list, select your name from the list displayed by the portal.

Step 6: If you cannot find your name in the SECC list, select Yes in the option asking whether you are unable to find yourself in the list. You can then enter your details manually.

Step 7: If your village, block or district does not appear in the first list, select the nearest available location as instructed by the portal. The next page may provide a more detailed list of locations.

Step 8: Enter your personal information, family details and bank account details. Check names, numbers and other information carefully before moving ahead.

Step 9: Select whether you want a wage-based job or self-employment. Also mention the type of skill training or job role that interests you.

Step 10: Review the entire form. If you find any mistake, correct it before clicking the submit button.

Step 11: After successful submission, note down your Kaushal Panjee ID. Keep it safe because you will need this ID to check your registration status and access other portal services.

If Your Registration Is Not Complete

Step 1: Visit the Kaushal Panjee portal again and open the Candidate Registration section.

Step 2: Select the option named Incomplete Registration Form.

Step 3: Enter the Temporary ID provided by the portal when you first started filling out the form. Then click on Next.

Step 4: The portal will open your saved registration details. Complete the remaining fields, check the information and submit the form.

Check Your Registration and Your ID

Step 1: Open the Candidate Registration Status option on the portal. Enter your registration ID and the security code shown in the picture to check the current status of your application.

Step 2: If you forget your Kaushal Panjee ID, select Search Your Kaushal Panjee ID. Enter the details requested by the portal to find your registration ID.

Step 3: To access your account, click on Login, select your user type and enter your Kaushal Panjee ID and password.

Step 4: If you forget your password, select the Forgot Password option below the login section. Enter your Kaushal Panjee ID and follow the instructions to recover access.

Step 5: You can also take the Kaushal Aapti test, which assesses your skills and personality. It can help you understand which type of job or trade may suit you better.

Apply Through a Training Centre or Your State Mission

Step 1: Open the training centre list on the Ministry’s unified platform. Find a training centre near your village or district.

Step 2: Visit the selected centre with your Aadhaar card, proof of a poor household and mobile phone. Carry your educational certificates and other available documents as well.

Step 3: Tell the staff that you want to join a DDU-GKY training course. Ask them to help you complete your registration on Kaushal Panjee.

Step 4: If you do not have a training centre nearby, contact your State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM). You can seek help through your block office or a local Self Help Group.

Step 5: Attend a Job Mela organised by the mission at your block or Gram Panchayat, if one is available. These events help rural youth register, receive career counselling and connect with training agencies or employers.

Step 6: Before leaving, ask the staff for your Kaushal Panjee ID. Write it down and keep it safe for future use.

After You Register

Step 1: After registration, wait for a phone call or message from a training agency, officially known as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA).

Step 2: Speak with the agency’s counsellor about the available courses. Explain your interests and choose a job role that matches your abilities and career plans.

Step 3: Once the agency confirms your admission, visit the training centre on the given date with your required documents.

Step 4: Attend your training classes regularly. The centre records attendance through biometric and face authentication, so make sure you do not miss classes without a valid reason.

Step 5: After completing the course, appear for the assessment conducted by an independent assessment body. If you meet the required standards, you will receive your skill certificate.

Step 6: The training agency will help you find a suitable job. After joining, stay in contact with the agency because it tracks your employment for 12 months.

Step 7: If you meet the applicable conditions, ask the concerned agency about the ₹7,620 financial assistance and ₹5,000 retention support. These benefits are subject to the scheme’s payment and employment conditions.

If You Need Help

Step 1: If you face a problem while registering or using the portal, write to the Kaushal Panjee helpdesk at helpdesk.kaushalpanjee@gmail.com.

Step 2: If you cannot complete the online process yourself, visit your nearest DDU-GKY training centre or contact your State Rural Livelihoods Mission for assistance.

Important: Candidate registration on the Kaushal Panjee portal is free. You do not need to pay an agent or training centre just to register your name. If your main aim is to start your own business, you can also contact the district’s Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) to explore self-employment training opportunities.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana: Earlier Rules and Present Rules

DDU-GKY has undergone several changes to strengthen its training, placement and post-employment support. As a result, some older articles and websites may still show rules that no longer apply. The table below compares the earlier provisions with the revised rules introduced under DDU-GKY 2.0, notified by the Ministry of Rural Development in May 2025. It covers the changes explained by the Press Information Bureau.

If you find older DDU-GKY information showing different placement periods or support amounts, check the revised guidelines and the Ministry’s latest updates before relying on those figures. The present provisions listed above reflect the changes covered in the official DDU-GKY 2.0 explainer.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Kaushal Panjee Portal for DDU-GKY Candidate Registration
• Find DDU-GKY Training Centres Near You
• Key Features of the DDU-GKY Unified IT Platform
• About DDU-GKY and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs)
• DDU-GKY 2.0: Official Explainer on Skill Training, Placement and Post-Placement Support
• Department of Rural Development Year Ender 2025: DDU-GKY Training and Placement Updates
• Kaushal Panjee Portal User Manual for Candidate Registration
• DDU-GKY Guidelines and Policy Documents
• Unnati User Manual: Training and Placement Process
• Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Office: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, Rural Skills Division, Ministry of Rural Development, 7th Floor, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi – 110001
• Email: helpdesk.kaushalpanjee@gmail.com, the helpdesk of the Kaushal Panjee portal
• State Level: The State Rural Livelihoods Mission of your State, which runs the scheme in the districts and holds the Job Melas
• District and Block Level: The District Mission Management Unit or the Block Mission office of the Rural Livelihoods Mission, which can guide you to a training centre
• Training Level: The nearest training centre or the Project Implementing Agency, which registers candidates and gives the course
• Village Level: Your Self Help Group or your Gram Panchayat, which can tell you about the next Job Mela

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.