A combined induction programme for DDU-GKY trainees from Nagaland was held at Noune Resort, Seithekema-A Village, Chumoukedima on 13th November 2026. Themed "One Platform, New Skills, Countless Opportunities", the event was organised under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, the Ministry of Rural Development's skilling initiative, in association with the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), with Minister for Rural Development and SIRD, Metsübo Jamir was the special guest.

Metsübo Jamir, in his address said that Nagaland has the potential to emerge as a powerhouse of skills and employment, with countless opportunities open to its youth. He said that through DDU-GKY, the government is working to bring the future to the doorsteps of young Nagas.

Addressing the trainees, the Minister urged them not to be discouraged by the challenges they face, and encouraged them to work harder to keep pace with their counterparts in the mainland. He said the disadvantages young people from the State face should not hold them back, and expressed hope that these would instead push them further and motivate them to make something of their lives. He asked the trainees to learn with sincerity, respect their work as no work is small, and come back to inspire others in their villages.

Jamir also called upon the youth to aim beyond securing jobs for themselves, and to work in a way that would enable them to generate employment for other young people in Nagaland. He assured them that the government would do its level best to support them with employment, especially those who take the initiative to create employment on their own.

Delivering the welcome and keynote address, Joint Secretary, Rural Development and Mission Director of NSRLM, Moa Sangtam, highlighted that besides promoting self-help groups (SHGs) and enhancing their livelihoods, NSRLM has been implementing DDU-GKY for the past eight years to create employment opportunities for family members, particularly youths of SHG families.

Under DDU-GKY 1.0, he said, NSRLM has trained 8,837 candidates since the financial year (FY) 2018-19, all through residential training, of whom 6,129 have been provided job placements across the country, including international placements. With the roll-out of DDU-GKY 2.0 from FY 2025-26, 481 candidates have been trained so far and are undergoing placements.

Sangtam informed that 800 candidates are currently undergoing training in 17 centres, all in Dimapur except one in Guwahati, run by Jetwings Foundation for the Cabin Crew trade.

The training target for FY 2025-2028 is 7,625 candidates, of which 1,423 are to be allocated to captive employers. Apart from the captive employer target, the State Mission has allocated its entire target to 19 Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) across different sectors.

Cautioning that the government jobs have reached a point of saturation, the Joint Secretary also advised the young people not to pursue public-sector employment exclusively. Keeping private and self-employment avenues open, he added, strengthens both individual livelihoods and Nagaland's broader economy.

(DPRO Chumoukedima & Takumpula Longkumer, IA)