Skill India · Training Partner
Ministry of Rural Development · Government of India

DDU-GKY 2.0 — Healthcare

Free, placement-linked training for rural youth in patient-care and allied health job roles under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana — India's flagship rural skilling programme, now in its revised second phase.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme Healthcare Sector Skill Council 3 – 12 month courses Placement-linked
About the scheme

What is DDU-GKY?

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) was launched on 25 September 2014 by the Ministry of Rural Development as the skilling and placement component of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. Its purpose is simple: give young people from poor rural households the skills and support they need to move into regular, wage-paying jobs.

Unlike many training schemes, DDU-GKY is placement-linked. Project Implementing Agencies are responsible not only for training but for placing a mandated share of trained candidates in jobs that pay at least the scheme's minimum salary, and for supporting them after they start work — including post-placement support paid into the candidate's bank account.

What changed in DDU-GKY 2.0

The scheme guidelines were revised in 2025 to make delivery more effective and transparent. The new phase brings an end-to-end digital workflow — from onboarding of implementing agencies and project appraisal to batch tracking and placement verification — along with streamlined eligibility criteria for agencies and a more inclusive definition of the target group. Training targets have been allocated to States and Union Territories for 2026–28, with batches commencing across the country from October 2026.

Who is eligible? Rural youth from poor households as defined in the scheme guidelines — typically aged 15 to 35, with age relaxation for women, persons with disabilities and other priority groups. Our counsellors verify eligibility documents at enrolment.

Project facts

Scheme
DDU-GKY 2.0 (revised guidelines, 2025)
Sponsor
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
Sector
Healthcare
Sector Skill Council
Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC)
Implementing agency
Ezytm Technologies (Project Implementing Agency)
Project districts
As allotted under the State target allocation
Training mode
Residential / non-residential, as per SOP
Course duration
3 – 12 months, depending on the job role
Cost to candidate
Nil — fully sponsored
Status
Mobilisation and batch formation under way
Why healthcare

A sector that keeps hiring

Hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic chains and home-care providers need trained support staff in every district — and the demand grows with every new facility and every ageing household. Entry-level healthcare roles offer regular employment, a respected profession and a ladder to further qualifications.

For rural youth, that means a job close to home or in a nearby city, with a clear path forward.

Where graduates work

Multi-speciality and district hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, ambulance services and home-care agencies.

Career pathway

Start as a General Duty Assistant or technician; progress to senior care roles, supervisory positions or further nursing and paramedical study.

Training offered

Healthcare job roles

Courses follow Qualification Packs of the Healthcare Sector Skill Council. The roles offered in each batch depend on the project sanction and local employer demand.

General Duty AssistantBasic patient care in hospitals and nursing homes
Home Health AideCare of patients and the elderly at home
Phlebotomy TechnicianBlood sample collection for diagnostic labs
Emergency Medical Technician – BasicPre-hospital care and ambulance support
Medical Laboratory AssistantSupport roles in pathology and diagnostic labs
Pharmacy AssistantDispensing support in pharmacies and hospital stores
What candidates receive

Everything needed to complete the course

  • Domain training on the HSSC curriculum with hands-on practice in a simulation lab
  • On-the-job training in partner hospitals and clinics
  • Soft skills, spoken English and computer literacy built into the timetable
  • Uniform, training kit and study material at no cost
  • Residential facilities with food and security for residential batches; transport or conveyance support as applicable
  • Assessment and NSQF certification by the Healthcare Sector Skill Council
  • Placement assistance and post-placement support as per scheme guidelines
How to apply

Three simple steps

Send an enquiry or visit us

Use the enquiry form, call +91 83869 00044 or walk into our office. Tell us your district and the course you are interested in.

Eligibility check & counselling

Bring your Aadhaar, age proof, educational certificates and household eligibility document. Our counsellor will explain the course, timings and placement expectations.

Enrolment & batch start

Once verified, you are registered on the DDU-GKY portal and allotted to the next batch. Training begins on the announced date.

Enquire about DDU-GKY 2.0
For hospitals & healthcare employers

Hire certified support staff — at no cost

Partner with us to host on-the-job training, guide the curriculum and recruit from our batches. Candidates arrive certified, oriented to hospital routines and supported by our placement team during their first months.

DDU-GKY is a scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. Scheme details are summarised from official guidelines and may be revised by the Ministry; the official portal is ddugky.gov.in.

Get in touch

Interested in the Healthcare programme?

Candidates, parents and employers — send us your details and our team will get back to you with batch dates and next steps.