“Advancing sustainable, wage-based livelihood opportunities for transgender and gender-diverse communities in rural India through consultations and policy advocacy.“
An initiative of NIRDPR and Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)
The project aims to advance the economic rights of transgender and gender-diverse persons in India—particularly those from rural and peri-urban areas—by facilitating access to sustainable, wage-based livelihood opportunities. Through a comprehensive review of national and international livelihood models, enabling policies, and implementation frameworks, the project will identify gaps, challenges, and promising practices. Community-driven insights gathered from regional consultations with transgender persons, CBOs, employers, and local governments will inform the design of inclusive, context specific solutions that bridge the disconnect between progressive legislation and lived employment realities. Building on this foundation, the project is developing scalable and adaptable operational models, toolkits, and stakeholder frameworks to guide inclusive livelihood programs. It will generate evidence-based policy briefs and comparative tools to influence labour laws, CSR practices, and welfare schemes, while fostering collaboration among government agencies, industry, civil society, and community organizations. The project ensures sustainability through the development of publicly accessible, long-term-use resources that can be adopted by ministries, state governments, CSR partners, and skilling agencies.
NIRDPR will promote continued adoption through its national training mandate, while Intermediary Organizations will support ongoing grassroots engagement and monitoring through its community networks. Currently, as a part of the project, desk review and situation analysis, and field documentation of best practices are in progress.
CFLI team said: “Canada is proud to support NIRDPR through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), reflecting our shared commitment to inclusive development, gender equality, and sustainable, community-led solutions. We are pleased to partner with this initiative and commend their efforts to strengthen community engagement and resilience. Canada remains committed to working alongside local leaders to help build a more equitable and just future for local communities.”
CTSA gets a changeover from NABCONS to NIRDPR for DDUGKY phase-II in Arunachal
ITANAGAR, Nov 26: The Central Technical Support Agency (CTSA) for the State of Arunachal Pradesh under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) projects has been transferred from the NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd (NABCONS) to the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), following the exchange of transition memorandum between the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the parent body of NABCONS, and NIRD&PR here on Tuesday.
The event was chaired by Smt Sangeeta Yirang, CEO cum SMD of Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM).
The NABCONS was the designated CTSA for Arunachal Pradesh from 2013 to 2025 for coordinating and monitoring of placement linked skilling projects under the Aajeevika Skill Development Programme, and thereafter DDU-GKY, under the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India.
In the FY 2025-26, the Ministry has sanctioned 1851 targets to the ArSRLM to train and place rural youths through its designated Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs).
Yirang, on behalf of ArSRLM, emphasized the incoming CTSA-NIRDPR to undertake all roles & responsibilities judiciously as the Central Monitoring Agent and to ensure the project gets implemented in the State as per vision and mission of the MoRD and Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Ruzing Bellai, COO (Rural Skills) ArSRLM, in his speech, thanked all parties involved for their dedicated support and cooperation to make the CTSA transition smooth and successful for the State.
The representatives from the CTSA included M Kumaraswamy (State Team Manager), on behalf of NIRDPR and Himanshu Patel (Assistant Manager, NABARD), on behalf of NABCONS.
ORMAS organises Alumni meet
Bhubaneswar, 26 November 2025
ORMAS (Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society) organised an Alumni Meet under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) conducted at the Assembly Hall, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The event brought together former trainees, current trainees, Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs), employers, and officials to celebrate the transformative impact of skill development on rural youth.
The event was graced by Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, CEO, ORMAS, Sri Sanjeev Singh, Additional CEO, ORMAS, Shri Santosh Kumar Tiwari, Director (Skill), MoRD, Shashi Kumar Yadav, Mission Manager (Skill), MoRD, and Sri Jeevan Reddy, Asst Director, NIRDPR. Their presence added significance to the occasion as they encouraged trainees to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to the workforce.
More than 300 students participated in the programme, accompanied by their parents. The dignitaries interacted with the alumni and current trainees, motivating them with insights into emerging opportunities in the skill and employment landscape. Parents expressed their appreciation for ORMAS and DDU-GKY for enabling their children to secure stable livelihoods.
The meet saw active participation from trainees of PIAs. Employers and training partners highlighted the importance of industry-linked training and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting DDU-GKY trainees through placement and career progression.
A key highlight of the programme was the interactive session where alumni shared inspiring stories of their professional journeys—ranging from overcoming challenges to achieving career success in diverse sectors. These narratives encouraged the current trainees and strengthened the culture of mentorship within the DDU-GKY ecosystem.
Adding vibrancy to the event, DDU-GKY trainees staged cultural performances, including enthusiastic group dances, reflecting their confidence and creativity. The celebration concluded with a felicitation ceremony recognising outstanding alumni and training partners for their contributions to the programme’s success.
The DDU-GKY Alumni Meet reaffirmed ORMAS’ commitment to empowering rural youth through quality skilling, placement support, and post-placement care. The gathering strengthened the message that with the right skills, guidance, and determination, the youth of rural Odisha can excel in competitive sectors across the country and beyond.
Training program conducted in the month of November, 2025
The DDU-GKY RC conducted a 4 day-induction program for the state level officials of Karnataka & Kerala in November 2025 at the NIRDPR Hyderabad campus.
The induction program was organized from 11th to 14th Nov’25. The objective of this program was to orient the officials of SRLM on DDU-GKY Program & its SOPs. This induction program also intended to give practical preview of skilling ecosystem through exposure visit to DDU-GKY & non DDU-GKY centres through this induction program. In this induction program 6 SRLM officials of Karnataka SRLM & 2 officials from Kerala SRLM participated.
The induction program sessions were facilitated by Shri M. Kumarswamy, Shri Piyush Kumar, Shri Nithin Rao, Shri Kaushik Babu, Shri Jagadesweer Reddy, Smt. Jyoti Hindupur and Shri Naveen Bachu along his with KB team.
Glimpses of the Month’s Programs
SUCCESS STORIES
It is a moment of great pleasure to share that NEEDS PIA candidates have begun moving to their respective placement and work locations- ArSRLM
We sincerely thank for the comprehensive support extended at every stage—right from C1, mobilisation, training, assessment, and now the placement process. It has been a truly meaningful experience working with ArSRLM over the past six months.
From a situation where PIAs were on the verge of surrender to now witnessing successful placements, this journey has been remarkable. At this stage, we kindly request continued and enhanced support from the placement team.
Kerala:
J&K:
| Name | Bilal Ahmad Dar |
| Father’s Name | Bashir Ahmad Dar |
| Address | Waltingoo, Kund, Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir |
| PIA | GS Techno Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Qazigund |
| Trade | Counter Sales Executive |
| Designation | Assistant Front Office Manager |
| Employer | Hotel Heevan Heights, Pahalgam |
| Joining Date | 1st March 2025 |
| Salary | ₹14,000 per month |
| Bio |
| Bilal Ahmad Dar, a hardworking and determined youth from Waltingoo, Kund, Kulgam, exemplifies how perseverance and skill training can transform lives. Coming from a humble background, Bilal’s father worked as a manual laborer despite poor health, while his siblings are married and live separately. Facing financial constraints, Bilal was motivated to secure a better life for his family. His journey took a decisive turn when he joined the Himayat-DDU GKY training at GS Techno Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Qazigund. |
| Carrier Progression |
| Bilal enrolled in the Counter Sales Executive course under the Himayat-DDU GKY program and proved himself as a disciplined, sincere, and capable trainee. His dedication and positive attitude quickly set him apart. Remarkably, just one day after completing his course, he was selected by Hotel Heevan Heights, Pahalgam, as an Assistant Front Office Manager, earning ₹14,000 per month. |
| Testimonial |
| Himayat changed my life completely. Before joining, my family struggled to make ends meet, but now my father no longer needs to work as a laborer. I feel proud and fulfilled to support my family with dignity. Himayat-DDU GKY has given me respect, stability, and a purpose for life. |
| Name | Raja Naseeb Khan |
| Father’s Name | Mohd Khan |
| Address | Dist Rajouri, Jammu |
| PIA | ABM Enterprises Pvt Ltd. |
| Trade | Office Assistant |
| Designation | Associate Billing |
| Employer | V Mart |
| Joining Date | 16-02-25 |
| Current Salary | 12,500 INR/Month |
| Bio |
| Raja Naseeb Khan hails from District Rajouri and comes from a modest family background. Determined to support his family financially, he sought opportunities to build his skills and career. Through a mobilizer, he came to know about the HIMAYAT (DDU-GKY) program and decided to enroll. He received training in Computer Applications, English Communication, Soft Skills, and Office Assistance, which laid the foundation for his professional growth. |
| Carrier Progression |
| After successfully completing his training under the HIMAYAT (DDU-GKY) program, Raja Naseeb Khan was placed with V-Mart Retail Ltd. as an Associate (Billing) in Jammu. The course not only enhanced his technical knowledge but also improved his confidence, communication, and workplace readiness. Today, he earns a monthly salary of ₹12,500 and is proud to contribute to his family’s income while steadily building his career in the retail sector. |
| Testimonial |
| The HIMAYAT (DDU-GKY) program gave me the skills and confidence to start my career. It helped me become financially independent and support my family. I am truly thankful for the training, guidance, and placement support that helped me move forward in life with purpose and pride. |
CONTRIBUTORS are from DDU-GKY RC, NIRDPR
- Mr. Sumeet Mahajan, J&K
- Mr. Jeevan Reddy, HQ
- Mr. Kumara Swamy, HQ
- Mr. Abhishek Guria, T&D, HQ
- Love Green Associations, PIA, Kerala
- Reports Compiled by: Dr Nithin Rao
- Reviewed by: Dr Sandhya Gopakumaran
Articles for Kaushal Samachar may be sent to: ddugkytraining@nirdpr.org.in or nithinrao@nird.gov.in
