What this scheme offers
DDU-GKY offers 550+ industry-aligned, NSQF-certified courses across sectors like healthcare, IT/ITES, retail, hospitality, beauty & wellness, automotive, construction and apparel, ranging from 2 to 12 months. Training, boarding and lodging are entirely free for residential courses, and trainees receive a stipend (typically ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹25,000 a month depending on the course and duration), plus travel allowance, books and uniforms. Every course includes mandatory foundational training in IT, English and soft skills alongside the core sectoral skill. Training partners are contractually required to achieve at least 70% job placement for their graduates, with additional incentives tied to job retention over time — a stronger accountability structure than most skill schemes. The programme sets specific representation targets: 33% women, 50% SC/ST/minorities combined, and 3% persons with disabilities.
Who is eligible
- Rural youth aged 15 to 35 (up to 45 for women and special/vulnerable groups) from poor families.
- Eligible under any of: BPL card holders, MGNREGA workers (households with 15+ days of work), Antyodaya Anna Yojana or Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana beneficiaries, or members of an NRLM Self-Help Group family.
- Particular focus on SC/ST, women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups (trafficking survivors, transgender individuals, rehabilitated bonded labourers).
- Urban youth are not covered here — PMKVY is the equivalent scheme for urban unemployed youth.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Age proof (birth certificate or Aadhaar)
- Address proof (ration card or similar)
- Income certificate / BPL proof
- Caste certificate, where applicable
- Bank account details and passport-size photo
How to apply
- Visit the Kaushal Panji portal (kaushalpanji.nic.in) or install the Kaushal Panji mobile app for online candidate registration.
- Complete registration with your Aadhaar-based details and the Aadhaar Face RD app for verification.
- Alternatively, contact a DDU-GKY-empanelled training partner or Project Implementing Agency directly in your district — this is often the simpler route in rural areas.
- Choose a course aligned with local job market demand and your interest.
- Carry your documents to the training centre for admission once selected.
- Complete the training (residential or non-residential), pass the NSQF assessment, and receive placement support from the training partner.