How to File RTI for DDU-GKY Rural Skill Training — Placement Records, Fee Payments and Project Suspension

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is the Central Government's flagship rural skill development scheme targeting youth from poor rural households. Notified under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), DDU-GKY aims to place rural youth aged 15–35 in wage employment by funding short-term skill training through empanelled Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) — training organisations selected through a competitive empanelment process. Since its launch in 2014, the scheme has sanctioned thousands of training projects across states with a focus on placement-linked funding: PIAs receive a significant share of their project cost only on demonstrating verified placements.

DDU-GKY is a centrally sponsored scheme with a distinctive three-tier structure:

• Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) — Central node; sets national policy, approves project sanction orders, issues guidelines, and releases Central funds.
• State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) — State-level implementation agencies (e.g., UPSRLM in Uttar Pradesh, ASRLM in Assam, KSRLM in Karnataka); call for and evaluate PIA proposals, sign project agreements, disburse funds, monitor training and placements, and have the authority to suspend or de-register non-performing PIAs.
• Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) — Training organisations (NGOs, companies, or vocational training institutes) that conduct skill training and arrange placements; answerable to both the SRLM and MoRD.

RTI applications targeting DDU-GKY must therefore be directed to the right level of this hierarchy. For national policy and Central-level records, file with MoRD at rtionline.gov.in — second appeal to the Central Information Commission (CIC). For state-level implementation records (placement data by centre, SRLM monitoring reports, reimbursement records, suspension orders), file with the State SRLM using the relevant state RTI mechanism — second appeal to the State Information Commission (SIC).

What Can RTI Achieve in the DDU-GKY Context

DDU-GKY has faced documented problems of inflated placement reporting, diversion of training funds, sub-standard training infrastructure, and PIAs disappearing mid-project without completing training. For rural youth who enrolled in DDU-GKY training, RTI is often the only tool available to obtain factual records and create accountability.

Placement records and placement fraud. DDU-GKY is a placement-linked programme: PIAs must show verified placements to receive the final tranche of project funds. Yet inflated placement reporting — counting candidates as "placed" without their knowledge, submitting forged offer letters, or classifying informal temporary work as formal employment — is a persistent problem. RTI can compel the SRLM to disclose the actual placement data submitted by a PIA for a specific centre, the names of claimed employers, and the evidence reviewed during placement verification. If your name appears in placement records for a job you never took up, RTI creates the documentary evidence for a formal complaint.

PIA empanelment criteria. Rural youth and civil society organisations often question why certain training providers were selected for DDU-GKY projects. RTI can obtain the empanelment criteria, the scoring matrix, and the project sanction order for any approved PIA — making it possible to assess whether the selection was conducted fairly and whether the PIA met minimum eligibility standards.

Fee reimbursement and fund utilisation. DDU-GKY funds follow a milestone-based disbursement: mobilisation, training completion, and placement. RTI can reveal whether a PIA received full or partial reimbursement, whether any amount was withheld for non-performance, and whether recovery proceedings have been initiated.

Project suspension and de-registration. When a PIA is suspended or de-registered for non-performance or fraud, trainees enrolled mid-course are particularly vulnerable — their training is interrupted with no guarantee of being re-enrolled elsewhere. RTI can confirm the legal status of a project, obtain a copy of the suspension or de-registration order, and find out what remedial steps the SRLM has directed the PIA to take for stranded trainees.

Training quality audit findings. MoRD and SRLMs commission monitoring and audit agencies to inspect DDU-GKY training centres, review attendance records, assess training infrastructure, and verify placement claims. These inspection reports are held by the SRLM and the Ministry and are disclosable under RTI.

Understanding the RTI Routing: MoRD vs. State SRLM

Because DDU-GKY has both a Central node and a state-level implementation layer, directing your RTI correctly is essential.

Tip: If you are unsure which level holds the specific record, file with the State SRLM first — it is closest to the ground and likely holds training-centre-level records. If the SRLM transfers your application to MoRD under Section 6(3), the 30-day response clock continues from the transfer date.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For

1. Training Provider Empanelment Criteria

• A copy of the current empanelment criteria, programme management manual, or SOP for PIA selection under DDU-GKY
• The minimum eligibility conditions (financial turnover, placement track record, infrastructure norms)
• The scoring matrix or evaluation framework used to rank competing PIA proposals
• Whether PIA Name met all minimum eligibility conditions at the time of empanelment — provide a copy of the empanelment assessment

2. Placement Records by PIA and Centre

• The total number of candidates enrolled, certified, and placed by PIA Name at Centre Address during period
• The centre-wise placement percentage as recorded in the Ministry's / SRLM's MIS
• The name(s) of employers to whom candidates from this centre were reportedly placed
• The method of placement verification used by the SRLM — document-based, phone verification, or field visit
• Whether your name / Aadhaar appears in the placement records for this batch, and if so, the employer name and placement date recorded

3. Fee Reimbursement Records

• The per-candidate cost sanctioned under the project order for PIA Name for trade Job Role
• The total amount claimed by the PIA for the batch(es) conducted during period at Centre
• The total amount released by MoRD / the SRLM, with dates and tranche-wise details
• Whether any amount was withheld, adjusted, or recovered, and the reason

4. Project Suspension and De-registration

• Whether the DDU-GKY project of PIA Name for district District is currently active, suspended, or closed
• A copy of any show-cause notice, suspension order, or de-registration order issued against this PIA by MoRD or the SRLM
• The action directed to be taken by the PIA for candidates who were mid-training at the time of suspension

5. Training Quality Audit Findings

• A copy of the most recent monitoring / audit inspection report for the DDU-GKY centre of PIA Name at Address
• The findings on infrastructure, trainer qualifications, attendance records, and placement verification
• Any corrective action directed to the PIA, and whether compliance has been verified

Where and How to File

For MoRD (Central-level records):

1. Go to rtionline.gov.in and click Submit Request
2. Select Ministry of Rural Development from the Ministry/Department dropdown
3. Select the appropriate department — for DDU-GKY, select Department of Rural Development or the DDU-GKY / NRLM cell as listed
4. Draft your application, specifying the PIA name, centre address, trade, district, state, and period — be specific to avoid vague responses
5. Pay ₹10 online. BPL cardholders are exempt — upload a copy of the BPL card
6. Save the registration number for tracking

For State SRLM (state-level records):

The State SRLM is a society registered under the relevant State Societies Act and functions as a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. File using your state's RTI portal or by submitting a physical application by post or hand delivery to the State SRLM's designated CPIO. Check the SRLM's website or contact the State RTI Help Desk to identify the CPIO's name and address.

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): If the CPIO of MoRD or the State SRLM does not respond within 30 days, or if the response is incomplete or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the same public authority. The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. The FAA must decide within 30 days (extendable to 45 days with reasons recorded in writing).

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the FAA's response is absent or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal within 90 days:

• RTI filed with Ministry of Rural Development (Central body): Second Appeal to the Central Information Commission (CIC).
• RTI filed with a State SRLM (state-level body): Second Appeal to the State Information Commission (SIC) of the relevant state.

Under Section 20 of the RTI Act, the CIC or SIC may impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on the CPIO for failing to provide information without reasonable cause, and may recommend disciplinary action for malicious or vexatious denial.

Appeals at a Glance

RTI works best when paired with parallel grievances. Once you have the RTI response (or a record of non-response), file a complaint on the PM Gram Samridhi portal at pgportal.gov.in, or approach the District Collector or State SRLM's grievance cell. The documented RTI response strengthens every subsequent escalation — whether before the SRLM, the Ministry, or in a public interest proceeding.