Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana 2.0 soon in Odisha

The Odisha government has initiated the process to unveil the second phase of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). This phase aims to enhance the employability of rural youth by developing training and equipping them with essential skills.

Officials from the state’s Panchayati Raj department have announced the creation of an Action Plan 2025 to maximise job opportunities for the youth.

A two-day workshop occurred on Thursday and Friday, organised in partnership with the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). This workshop was integral to shaping a comprehensive strategy for the scheme’s implementation.

Rabi Narayan Naik, the Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, emphasised the need to replicate past successes of the programme. "We aim to extend the benefits to more young people across rural Odisha," he stated, highlighting its importance in strengthening the state’s socio-economic fabric.

Since its inception in 2014, the scheme has trained over 200,000 youths, with around 116,000 securing jobs in various sectors. The state has committed to training at least 17,000 additional unemployed rural youths by July next year.