Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a government-sponsored skill development program. It aims to provide training and employment opportunities to youth in rural India. The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched the program in 2014, and the central government funds it.

About DDU-GKY

Launch Date: It all started on September 25, 2014.
Funding Source: This program receives its funding from the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and operates nationwide.
Target Audience: This program specifically targets rural youth aged between 15 and 35, aiming to equip them with valuable skills that can uplift their families economically and help them fulfill their career dreams.
Gender Inclusivity: To ensure gender balance, at least one-third of the candidates trained must be women. Women applicants can be up to 45 years old.
Outcome-Oriented: The program focuses on delivering tangible results, with a commitment to securing placements for at least 70% of its trained candidates. There’s also a shift towards making certification a mandatory part of the process.
Implementation: DDU-GKY is already active in 27 states and 3 union territories, with a strong emphasis on facilitating job placements for rural youth.

Features of DDU GKY

Some of the features of DDU GKY are –

We aim to make essential benefits easily accessible to those in rural areas who are economically disadvantaged. Our focus is on ensuring that these benefits are tailored to meet the needs of the people, without imposing any financial burden on them.
We’re committed to designing programs that leave no one behind. This means ensuring that at least 50% of the beneficiaries come from Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Teams(SC/ST), 15% from minority groups, and 33% are women, allowing for a more equitable distribution of resources.
Instead of just providing training, we’re shifting our focus towards enabling career growth opportunities. This includes incentives for individuals to stay in their jobs, advance in their careers, and even explore opportunities for employment abroad.
We understand that securing a job is just the first step. That’s why we’re committed to providing ongoing support, including assistance after placement, establishing migration networks, and creating a supportive community for alumni.
We’re taking proactive steps to ensure that at least 75% of our trainees secure employment through guaranteed placement partnerships. This way, we’re not just training individuals; we’re helping them secure meaningful employment opportunities.
We’re investing in our implementation partners by fostering new training service providers and enhancing their skill sets. This ensures that our programs are delivered effectively and efficiently.
We’re paying special attention to marginalized youths in specific regions, such as Jammu and Kashmir (Himayat), the Northeast, and areas affected by left-wing extremism (Roshni). By focusing on these areas, we aim to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

Significance

In 2022, the National Policy for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship 2015 highlighted a skills gap of 109.73 million across 24 key sectors.
A study by FICCI and Ernst & Young in 2013 predicted a shortage of over 47 million skilled workers globally by 2020.
India has a significant opportunity to train its youth population, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid, and connect them with job opportunities worldwide, leveraging its demographic dividend.
The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY) has been instrumental in India’s self-reliance journey by focusing on skill development.
Integrating DDU-GKY with initiatives promoting integrated farming in rural areas is crucial for effectively skilling and empowering rural youth.
DDU-GKY plays a vital role in supporting various social and economic programs under the Skill India campaign, contributing to overall national development.

Working

The working model of DDU GKY is as discussed below:

Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana, private educators and skill trainers receive financial support to establish modern training centers equipped with the latest technology.
Qualified instructors offer computer training, soft skills development, and other essential life skills to students enrolled in the program.
The DDU GKY not only focuses on providing training but also offers assistance in securing employment opportunities for successful trainees.
All services provided under the program, including training, placement assistance, uniforms, books, etc., are completely free of charge for the students.
For trainees undergoing residential training, accommodation is provided at no cost.

Implementation Model

The DDU-GKY is implemented through a three-tier structure. Here is the implementation model of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY):

National Level

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is the nodal agency for the DDU-GKY at the national level. The NSDC handles the overall framework for the program. It monitors its implementation and provides technical support to the state governments.

State Level

The State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) handle the implementation at the state level. The SSDMs identify training providers, develop training curricula, and coordinate the delivery of training.

District Level

The District Skill Development Agencies (DSDAs) are responsible for implementing the DDU-GKY at the district level. The DSDAs are responsible for enrolling candidates, arranging training, and providing placement support.

Need

In 2011, the census revealed that rural India had 55 million potential workers aged between 15 and 35 years. However, many of these youths faced limited opportunities due to a lack of formal training and education.
This shortage of skilled workers was alarming, especially considering global estimates projected a shortfall of 57 million workers in the near future.
Recognizing this challenge, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana was introduced. Its aim was to provide formal training and education to rural youths, enabling them to secure legitimate employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s development.
One of the key focuses of the DDU GKY program is to address social inequality by ensuring that marginalized sections of society have access to relevant training and employment opportunities through reserved quotas.

Benefits

Among the manifold benefits of DDU GKY, some are:

It has played a significant role in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission through skilling.
DDU GKY, along with integrated Farming Practices, will help poor rural youths by skilling them and providing them with a better livelihood eventually.
It also plays an important role in the Government of India’s Skill India Programme.
Social inclusion through mandatory coverage of socially disadvantaged groups of society.
It also promotes India’s Make in India campaign.