Around 70,000 rural youth across 24 States and Union Territories are expected to begin skill training under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya–Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 from October 2026, as the Ministry of Rural Development accelerates the rollout of the upgraded programme.
According to the DDU-GKY 2.0 portal, targets of 5.6 lakh candidates across more than 1,200 projects have already been allocated to Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) by 24 States/UTs. Other States/UTs are at advanced stages of completing the target-allocation process.
Across these 24 States/UTs, 2,015 training batches involving around 70,000 rural youth are scheduled to commence in October.
Over 9 lakh targets allocated for 2026-28
DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that provides placement-linked skill training to poor rural youth. Training programmes range from three to 12 months, depending on the course.
For the two-year period 2026-28, all 31 participating States/UTs have been allocated more than 9 lakh targets under DDU-GKY 2.0.
States and UTs are responsible for mobilising rural youth and organising placement-linked training based on demand. Training is to be delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP) mode in courses aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
The objective is to equip rural youth with skills that can support sustained employability.
States asked to accelerate target allocation
The Ministry of Rural Development has emphasised that the current phase is critical for State and UT-level implementation and has called for faster allocation of targets to Project Implementation Agencies and commencement of training batches according to the prescribed timelines.
States and UTs have been asked to ensure that target allocation to PIAs for starting training is completed by October 31, 2026, at the latest.
The Ministry is also holding review meetings with States and UTs in phases to accelerate the processes leading to the commencement of training batches.
With 2,015 batches expected to begin in October across 24 States/UTs, the rollout marks a major implementation phase of DDU-GKY 2.0 aimed at expanding placement-linked skill training opportunities for rural youth.
