Only 65% get jobs, 6 lakh youth remain unplaced; panel flags rural jobs scheme’s placement gap

A parliamentary committee has highlighted a significant placement gap under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), a program aimed at providing rural youth with job training and employment opportunities. The report reveals that while the scheme has trained 18.38 lakh rural youth, only 11.94 lakh have been placed, resulting in an overall placement ratio of 65 percent, falling short of the target of 70 percent.

The Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, led by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, has expressed concerns over the inadequate post-placement salaries and high dropout rates, which are contributing to distress migration among the trained youth. The committee noted that the current placement ratio, although an improvement, varies significantly across states and recommended near 100 percent placement tracking through mandatory industry linkages, localized placement drives, and regular post-training follow-ups.

The report also points out gender disparities within the scheme, with only 8.73 lakh female candidates placed out of 9.64 lakh male candidates. Women's participation remains relatively low, despite the scheme's mandatory target of 33 percent women among those trained. The committee identified safety, childcare support, and suitable trade options as gender-specific barriers and suggested implementing women-only batches, mobile training units, and creche facilities at training centers, along with incentives for women's training and placement.

Additionally, the committee highlighted the need to align rural skilling with emerging livelihood challenges, such as the vulnerability of rural livelihoods to climate change and the limited integration of green skills in current programs. They recommended incorporating climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, water conservation, and sustainable livestock management into the DDU-GKY and related programs, including training for green jobs like solar technicians, organic farming, and waste management.

The government has already responded to the concerns by introducing revised DDU-GKY 2.0 guidelines from April 1, 2025, which increase the minimum placement period from three to six months, shift funding to batches based on achievement of milestones, and allow self-employment and gig employment opportunities, while retaining the 70 percent overall placement requirement.