The Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission Society (ASRLMS) has extended the deadline for submitting project proposals under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 scheme, inviting captive employers to bid for 8,599 training targets. The new deadline for online submissions is July 15, 2026.
This initiative, part of the Ministry of Rural Development‘s flagship skill development programme, aims to significantly boost skill development and provide assured placement opportunities for rural youth across Assam. The focus on “captive employers” is designed to ensure direct employment within the companies providing the training, thereby guaranteeing job security for the trained individuals.
What was announced
The Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), operating under the Government of Assam‘s Panchayat and Rural Development Department, issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for DDU-GKY 2.0 project proposals. The EOI specifically targets eligible captive employers who possess a valid Permanent Registration Number (PRN) from the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The announcement, which was originally published on May 25, 2026, with a corrigendum on June 25, 2026, confirmed the extension of the submission deadline to July 15, 2026.
The total approved training target under this EOI is for 8,599 candidates. Project proposals are to be submitted online through the Ministry of Rural Development’s portal. The initiative seeks to implement skill development training, employment-linked skilling, and placement or self-employment/gig-employment support for rural youth in Assam.
Why it matters
The DDU-GKY 2.0 scheme holds significant importance for Assam’s rural youth, offering a pathway to economic independence through skill enhancement and guaranteed employment. The “captive employer” model is a key differentiator, as it mandates that the training provider also serves as the employer, ensuring a minimum 70% placement rate for trained candidates within their own organization or subsidiaries.
This approach directly addresses the challenge of unemployment among rural poor youth, a demographic that often lacks formal education and industry-relevant skills. By focusing on demand-driven training tailored to industry needs, the scheme aims to bridge the skill gap and integrate rural youth into the formal economy. The Ministry of Rural Development envisions DDU-GKY as a tool to “transform rural poor youth into an economically independent and globally relevant workforce.”
Furthermore, the scheme provides comprehensive support, including free skill training, placement assistance, and post-placement support for six months, which may include mentorship and counselling. This holistic approach is crucial for the successful transition of rural youth, many of whom are migrating for employment for the first time.
Background
The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, on September 25, 2014, on Antyodaya Diwas. It is an integral part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), also known as Aajeevika, which aims to diversify the incomes of rural poor families and fulfill the career aspirations of rural youth.
The scheme specifically targets rural youth aged between 15 and 35 years from poor families, with an extended upper age limit of 45 years for vulnerable groups such as women, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and transgender individuals. DDU-GKY evolved from earlier initiatives like the Aajeevika Skills programme and the ‘Special Projects’ component of the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), which began in 2004.
In Assam, the ASRLM has been actively involved in implementing DDU-GKY projects, working to empower rural communities through various socio-economic activities and skill development initiatives. The state government, in collaboration with central schemes, has undertaken numerous skill development missions to enhance employability and generate employment for its youth. Assam’s rural population faces significant challenges, including poverty and unemployment, making such skill development programmes vital for socio-economic progress.
The DDU-GKY 2.0 guidelines became applicable from April 1, 2025, building upon the framework of the July 2016 guidelines. The program aligns with broader national campaigns like Skill India, Make In India, Digital India, Smart Cities, and Start-Up India, aiming to create a globally relevant workforce from rural areas.
Key details
The Expression of Interest (EOI) from ASRLMS for DDU-GKY 2.0 focuses on the “Captive Employer” category. A captive employer is defined as an industry or company that selects rural youth, provides them with skill training, and then employs them within its own establishment, subsidiary, or sister concern.
Key details of the EOI include:
- Organisation: Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Government of Assam
- Scheme: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana 2.0
- EOI Category: Captive Employer Category
- Total Approved Target: 8,599 candidates
- Tender Publishing Date: May 25, 2026 (as per REOI reference)
- Corrigendum Date: June 25, 2026
- Last Date for Submission: July 15, 2026 (extended)
- Submission Mode: Online via the official MoRD portal https://kaushal.rural.gov.in
Eligible applicants must be captive employers with a valid Permanent Registration Number (PRN) issued by the Ministry of Rural Development. They must have been in existence for a minimum of three years and possess valid EPFO/ESIC/Factory Registration Numbers, as well as TIN/TAN/GST Numbers. Manpower supplying companies are explicitly not eligible. Preference will be given to proposals that align with Assam’s identified priority sectors based on skill gap studies, with at least 90% of proposed job roles matching these sectors.
The training courses offered by captive employers must be National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) aligned, with a minimum duration of 576 hours and a maximum of 2304 hours. Post-training, captive employment must be provided for a minimum period of six months, preferably in the trained job role, with a minimum salary of Rs 10,000 for courses less than six months and Rs 12,000 for courses more than six months.
What’s next
Following the extended deadline of July 15, 2026, Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) will undergo an initial screening process. Shortlisted agencies will then proceed to a detailed quality appraisal conducted by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR). The appraisal process for DDU-GKY projects is conducted through an IT platform, and for captive employer projects, a qualitative appraisal is not applicable.
Upon approval, selected captive employers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Rural Development for a period of three years. These employers will receive priority in target allocation from the state. The successful implementation of these projects is expected to commence soon after the approval process, leading to the mobilization and training of rural youth across various priority sectors in Assam. The ASRLM and MoRD will monitor the progress to ensure adherence to guidelines and achievement of placement targets.
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