DDU-GKY is uniquely focused on rural youth between the ages of 15 and 35 years from poor families. As a part of the Skill India campaign, it plays an instrumental role in supporting the social and economic programs of the government like the Make In India, Digital India, Smart Cities and Start-Up India, Stand-Up India campaigns. Over 180 million or 69% of the country’s youth population between the ages of 18 and 34 years, live in its rural areas. Of these, the bottom of the pyramid youth from poor families with no or marginal employment number about 55 million.

DDU-GKY is present in 28 States and UTs, across 689 districts, impacting youth from over 7,426 blocks. It currently has over 1,575 projects being implemented by over 717 partners, in more than 502 trades from 50 industry sectors. Over 9.9 Lakh candidates have been trained and over 5.3 Lakh candidates have been placed in jobs as on 1st April, 2020. From 2012, DDU-GKY has so far committed an investment of more than INR 5,600 Crores, impacting rural youth pan-India.