Deen Dayal Upadhyay Launches Rural Skill Development Scheme 2.0

In the past few years, the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DGKS) made remarkable progress in skill development in rural areas, providing millions of people with self‑employment and self‑employment‑oriented training. In view of this success, the central and state governments have decided to introduce a restructured version of the scheme, DGKS 2.0. The new scheme’s main focus is to provide training in future‑oriented areas such as digital literacy, alternative energy, agriculture‑based entrepreneurship, and water‑management technologies. Under it, 250 training centres will be established in 12 districts of the state, where mobile learning units, online modules and content in the local language will be available.

DGKS 2.0 has set aside special quotas for women and persons with physical disabilities, which will promote inclusive development. Under the scheme, a central grant of 1.5 crore rupees will be provided along with additional funding from the state. After training, participants will be issued a certified skill card, facilitating their direct linkage with public employment schemes and private companies. The implementation of the scheme has invited the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), partner centres of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), and local volunteer organisations to play key roles.

Experts believe that DGKS 2.0 will play a crucial role in reducing unemployment by diversifying the rural economy. The initiative will not only prepare the youth for self‑employment but also encourage innovation in the agricultural value chain, bringing positive changes to the overall development trajectory of rural India.