Online Training on “Getting Started with DDU-GKY 2.0” Conducted
An online session training session with SRLM officials of Assam was organized on 19th Dec’25. The purpose of this session was to orient the officials on the PER and DD process in DDU-GKY2.0. The resource person for this online session was Mr. Piyush Kumar (Project Officer), Monitoring and Evaluation, DDU-GKY RC, NIRDPR.


DDU-GKY RC conducts skill training for rural youth and SHGs in collaboration with Envu in December, 2025
Subsequent to the MoU signed between Envu and NIRDPR for industry-oriented skill training on Pest Management, The DDU-GKY RC organized two skill training in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Under the banner of collaboration between NIRDPR and KESINENI Foundation, subject matter experts of the Pest Management Industry and Envu conducted a three day training on Pest Management in Vijayawada on 22nd – 24th Dec’25 for SHGs and Youth of NTR District. The training was conducted under the initiative of Hon’ble MP Sri Kesineni Sivanath, Member of Parliament through the Kesineni Foundarion. Along with Sri Kesineni Sivanath, the Rajya Sabha Hon’ble MP Sri Sada Satish Babu and Sri Mantena Satyanarayana Raju, Former MLC addressed the participants as Chief Guests. Several skill training programmes in collaboration with NIRDPR have been planned to support the youth and women of the constituency. The training was conducted by NIRDPR-Envu Resource Persons Sri Uday Menon, Sri Anil Makkapati and Sri G S S Prakash.




Mosquito Management Training for SHGs of Bhagabatpur GP
A three-day training on ‘Mosquito Management Skill Training for SHG Members of the Bhagabatpur Gram Panchayat, Kendrapara, Odisha was held on 17-19 December 2025. The Sarpanch of Bhagabatpur Gram Panchayat, Smt Priyanka Nayak organized the three day training at Bahagabatpur. Sri Ajambar Mohanty, Odisha Administrative Service, Chief District Officer cum Executive Director graced the inaugural session of the training. Mrs Nirmala Mohanty, Member Zilla Parishad and Ms. Lilita Das, President Zilla Parishad were present.
After the three day training, fully customized for rural skill development in letter and spirit, the valedictory was graced by Sri Ganeshwar Behera, MLA of Kendrapada. The training was conducted by NIRDPR-Envu Resource Persons Sri Uday Menon and Dr Ashish Dokras.



SICB/SRLM Sikkim Successfully Launches DDU-GKY 2.0 with Project Approval Committee Meeting and Grand Mobilisation Camp
Gangtok, Sikkim – The State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB), under the Skill Development Department, Government of Sikkim, marked a significant milestone with the inaugural Project Approval Committee (PAC) meeting for Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0 on December 6, 2025. The meeting was chaired by the Chairperson, DDU-GKY cum Secretary, Skill Development Department, in the presence of the COO DDU-GKY, Joint COO DDU-GKY, CTSA NIRD&PR, Project Officers, and representatives from Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs). Following brief presentations from the PIAs, the PAC selected five agencies to implement DDU-GKY 2.0 across the state of Sikkim: 1. Himali Vikash Sansthan. 2. Regal Institute of Management Studies. 3. Kuber World Pvt Ltd. 4. Amigos Solution Pvt Ltd. 5. Steelco Ispat Pvt Ltd.

Building on this momentum, SICB organised a major mobilisation camp at Jorethang Senior Secondary School during the school fest on December 10-11, 2025. The event featured the official launch ceremony of DDU-GKY 2.0, graced by the Hon’ble Minister, Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim, along with the Hon’ble Area MLA cum Advisor, Skill Development Department. During the camp, ongoing DDU-GKY trainees from Himali Vikash Sansthan showcased their skills under the Commis Chef trade, presenting a variety of cuisines to the guests. Trained candidates in Beauty and Wellness also demonstrated their expertise by providing free makeovers to attendees, highlighting the practical impact of DDU-GKY training programs.

Himayat (DDU-GKY 2.0) Sanction Orders Distribution Ceremony held
Himayat (DDU-GKY 2.0) Sanction Orders Distribution Ceremony was organised by the Himayat Mission Management Unit (HMMU), JKRLM on 26th December 2025 at Jammu, with the primary objective of formal onboarding of 13 selected Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) for implementation of Himayat (DDU-GKY 2.0) during the programme year 2025–26 and to apprise them of the prescribed programme architecture, governance framework, compliance protocols, monitoring mechanisms, placement norms and reporting requirements. Sanction Orders were handed over to the selected PIAs and representatives by Jenab Javid Ahmad Dar, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

Master Trainer and Master Assessor Onboarding Training Conducted
Under the Pest Management skilling initiative, two online programs for the renewal and onboarding of Master Trainers and Master Assessors for Pest Management Training on 11th & 12th Dec’25 respectively. These online programmes were organised by Dr. Sandhya Gopakumaran, Director Training & Development and Mr. Uday Menon, Industry Expert and Master Resource Person. The resource person for these two onboarding program/ workshop were Mr. GSS Prakash, Dr. K Malla Reddy, David Shalem.J, Mr. E Baskaran.



SUCCESS STORIES


| Name | Niyaz Nazir Hajaam |
| Father’s Name | Nazir Ahmad Hajaam |
| Address | Khargund, Chowgam, Kulgam |
| PIA | Gs techno Innovations Pvt. Ltd. |
| Trade | Counter Sales Executive |
| Designation | Senior GSA |
| Employer | Hotel Vintage Gulmarg |
| Joining Date Current Salary | 01-02-2024 ₹17000/Month |
| Bio |
| Niyaz Ahmad Hajaam from Khargund, Chowgam, Kulgam, belongs to a lower-middle-class family of five, including his parents and three siblings. His father, a farmer, struggles to support the entire family. Needing a job to help, Niyaz learned about the DDU-GKY Himayat scheme from a friend. Motivated to improve his future, he enrolled in the Counter Sales Executive course to gain skills and support his family. |
| Carrier Progression |
| After completing the Himayat course at GS Techno, Qazigund, Niyaz was selected by Chinar Resorts and Spa Srinagar as a Housekeeping GSA, earning ₹10,000 per month. After gaining experience, he joined Hotel Vintage Gulmarg as a Senior GSA with a salary package of ₹17000 per month. |
| Testimonial |
| I was desperate to find a job to support my family and fulfill my own needs. Joining the Himayat Centre at Qazigund gave me valuable knowledge and skills in the hotel industry that I never had before. I am extremely grateful to the entire Himayat team for providing me with this opportunity. Their support has helped me move closer to achieving my dreams. Thank you very much. |


| Name | Owais Ahmad Gilkar |
| Father’s Name | Ali Mohd. Gilkar |
| Address | Kelm, Kulgam, J&K |
| PIA | GS Techno Innovations Pvt. Ltd. |
| Trade | Counter Sales Executive |
| Designation | Service Steward |
| Employer | The Scoopzz Ice Cream Pvt. Limited (Gujarat) |
| Joining Date Current Salary | 01-Mar-2025 ₹24,000/Month |
| Bio |
| Owais Ahmad Gilkar comes from a humble family of six in Kelm, Kulgam, where his father works as a farmer. As the eldest son, Owais carried the responsibility of supporting his family. His life changed when the GS Techno mobilization team introduced him to the Himayat DDU-GKY program, where he enrolled in the Counter Sales Executive course to shape his career. |
| Carrier Progression |
| After completing his training under Himayat at Qazigund, Owais secured employment with The Scoopzz Ice Cream Pvt. Limited in Gujarat as a Service Steward, earning ₹24,000 per month. With this start, he plans to grow in the hospitality and food service industry, aiming for supervisory roles in the future. |
| Testimonial |
| I was desperate to find a job to support my family and fulfill my own needs. Being the eldest, I had many responsibilities. Himayat not only gave me skills but also knowledge of the hospitality industry, which I had never experienced before. Today, I am financially independent and able to contribute to my family’s well-being. I am truly grateful to Himayat and GS Techno for this life-changing opportunity |
News on Rural Skills:
Handicrafts at the Heart of India’s Rural Economy
Press Release: Press Information Bureau https://share.google/Jqax3cwXs2dZxACr8
CONTRIBUTORS are from DDU-GKY RC, NIRDPR
- Mr. Sasti Roy, Sikkim
- Mr. Sumeet Mahajan, J&K
- Mr. Abhishek Guria, T&D, HQ
- 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
