Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing two key Centrally Sponsored Schemes to promote skill development and employment among rural poor youth — DeenDayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI). These initiatives aim to equip youth with employable skills, encourage entrepreneurship, and contribute to poverty eradication across the country.
DeenDayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY):
This placement-linked skill development programme targets rural poor youth aged 15–35 years, providing them with market-relevant skills to secure jobs with regular monthly wages at or above minimum wage levels. The scheme ensures social inclusion, with guidelines mandating participation of SC/ST (50%), women (33%), and Persons with Disabilities (5%).
Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI):
RSETIs are bank-led, Ministry-funded institutions set up by sponsoring banks at the district level to offer skill and entrepreneurship training. The Ministry supports the construction of RSETI buildings and bears training costs for rural poor candidates. Any unemployed youth aged 18–50 years, inclined towards self-employment or wage employment, can enroll. Many trained candidates also secure regular salaried jobs.
Impact:
Since inception till June 2025, 17.51 lakh candidates have been trained under DDU-GKY, including 9.05 lakh women (51.7%), highlighting the scheme’s role in women’s empowerment and rural economic growth.
