The Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Society (ASRLMS) has invited Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for skill development projects under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, with a deadline of June 24, 2026. This initiative aims to enhance the employability of rural youth in Assam through placement-linked skill training. The call for proposals underscores the state’s commitment to empowering its rural population by providing them with market-relevant skills and connecting them to sustainable livelihood opportunities. The DDU-GKY 2.0 framework emphasizes a shift from merely providing training to ensuring tangible job placement outcomes, including post-placement support and career progression for beneficiaries.

What was announced

The Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Society (ASRLMS), operating under the Department of Panchayat and Rural Development, Government of Assam, issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting project proposals for the implementation of DDU-GKY 2.0 skill development projects. The official notification, dated May 17, 2025, specifies that Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) with a valid Permanent Registration Number (PRN) from the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, are eligible to apply. The deadline for online submission of these proposals is June 24, 2026. The EOI outlines a structured process for PIAs to submit their proposals through the MoRD’s online portal, https://kaushal.rural.gov.in. An initial screening fee of ₹25,000 plus GST is required, which is non-refundable. Only those PIAs that clear the initial screening will be invited to deposit an additional ₹1,25,000 plus GST for a quality appraisal. The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) has been empaneled as the Project Appraisal Agency for DDU-GKY 2.0 in Assam.

Why it matters

This initiative is crucial for Assam, where rural unemployment remains a significant challenge despite a lower overall rural unemployment rate compared to urban areas. The DDU-GKY 2.0 scheme directly addresses the need for skill enhancement and employment generation among rural youth aged 15 to 35 years, particularly those from poor families. By focusing on market-linked skill training, the programme aims to diversify income sources for rural households and align with national campaigns such as Skill India, Make in India, and Digital India. The scheme’s emphasis on placement-linked training, with a minimum placement rate of 70% and post-placement support for at least six months, is designed to ensure sustainable livelihoods. This approach is vital for a state like Assam, where a substantial portion of the rural workforce has historically depended on agriculture, a sector facing declining male and fluctuating female workforce participation rates. The DDU-GKY 2.0 guidelines also incorporate measures such as funding projects based on training batches, upskilling and reskilling of employed candidates, and provisions for innovative projects and skill loans.

Background

The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) was launched on September 25, 2014, by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, as a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Its core vision is to “Transform rural poor youth into an economically independent and globally relevant workforce.” The scheme evolved from the ‘Special Projects’ component of the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) of 2004, and was revised and repositioned in 2014 to focus on demand-driven, placement-linked skill training. In Assam, the NRLM is implemented by the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Society (ASRLMS), which was established on November 11, 2011, under the Society Registration Act XXI of 1860. ASRLMS functions as an autonomous body under the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of Assam, with the mandate to enhance the social and economic empowerment of the rural poor. The society plays a crucial role in executing national-level schemes like DDU-GKY, promoting diversified self-employment, and skilled wage employment opportunities. Assam has actively participated in DDU-GKY, with over 29,000 youths trained under the scheme in the three years leading up to June 2025. Data presented in the Lok Sabha indicated that Assam trained 12,532 youths in 2022-23, placing 6,817 (a 54.40% placement rate). In 2023-24, 10,615 youths were trained, with 8,571 placed, achieving an 80.74% placement rate. By 2024-25, 5,231 trainees saw 4,127 placements, a 78.90% rate. The shift to DDU-GKY 2.0, with guidelines applicable from April 1, 2025, introduces updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure uniformity and enhanced effectiveness in implementation.

Key details

The Expression of Interest specifically invites proposals for DDU-GKY 2.0 projects in Assam. Project Implementing Agencies must be registered under relevant Indian laws, such as the Indian Trusts Act, Societies Registration Act, Companies Act 2013, or Limited Liability Partnership Act 2008. Government or semi-government organizations and NGOs registered on the NITI Aayog DARPAN portal are also eligible. Applicants must have been in existence for at least three years, with an exemption for DPIIT-recognized start-ups. The EOI prioritizes sectors and trades aligned with Assam’s skill gap study, requiring at least 90% of proposed job roles to fall within these areas. Up to 10% flexibility is allowed for local demand-based trades. Priority sectors include IT-ITeS (covering AI, Data Analytics, 3D Printing, DTP, Office Automation), Automotive, Capital Goods, Construction, Electronics, Healthcare, Logistics, Media & Entertainment, Retail, Telecom, Tourism & Hospitality, Solar, Handicrafts (Toy making, Bamboo work), Biofuel/CBG, Airport Operations, Power Sector, Water Management, and Textiles (Tailoring, Sewing Machine Operator). The State Project Approval Committee (PAC) holds the final authority for sanctioning project proposals, considering factors such as budget availability, sector preferences, district coverage, and the number of candidates to be allotted. DDU-GKY 2.0 also emphasizes a batch-wise fund release model, with funds disbursed in four tranches based on milestones like batch start, training completion, and placement of trainees. The total cost per candidate is approximately ₹79,722, with a batch cost of ₹2,391,660 for 30 candidates.

What’s next

Following the submission deadline of June 24, 2026, the submitted proposals will undergo a rigorous appraisal process by the empaneled agency, NIRDPR. PIAs that successfully pass the initial screening and quality appraisal will then be considered by the State Project Approval Committee (PAC) for sanctioning. Once approved, these projects will commence, initiating skill development training programmes across various districts of Assam, focusing on the identified priority sectors. The ASRLMS will continue to monitor the implementation, placement, and post-placement support aspects to ensure the scheme’s objectives are met and rural youth achieve sustainable employment.

Source: Assam ASRLMS EOI 2026: Project Proposals Invited for DDU-GKY 2.0 Skill Development Projects