National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Fostering a Skilled Workforce
1. Beneficiaries:
Employers/Establishments: NAPS encourages participation from a wide array of sectors, including manufacturing, services, and educational institutions.
Mandatory Engagement: As per recent guidelines, establishments with a workforce (regular and contractual employees) of 30 or more are mandated to engage apprentices in a band of 2.5% to 15% of their total workforce.
Optional Engagement: For establishments with 4 to 29 employees, engaging apprentices is optional.
Establishments with 3 or fewer employees are currently not permitted to engage apprentices.
Exclusion from Stipend Support: Central and State Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings/Enterprises (including Public Sector Banks) are not eligible for stipend support under NAPS-2.
Apprentices: Individuals who have completed at least 14 years of age (18 years for designated hazardous trades) and possess the minimum educational qualifications prescribed for a trade are eligible. This includes:
ITI pass-outs.
Graduates/Diploma holders.
10+2 vocational certificate holders.
Candidates from NSQF-aligned courses (e.g., PMKVY, DDUGKY).
"Fresher apprentices" who have not undergone any formal trade training.
The upper age limit for an apprentice to avail partial stipend support by the Government, at the time of registration, is 35 years.
2. Scope and Area of Application:
NAPS-2 is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning it is 100% funded by the Central Government, and its application extends across the entirety of India. It falls under the umbrella of the "Skill India Programme" and aims to integrate with other flagship government initiatives like Gati Shakti to boost apprenticeship engagement in key infrastructure sectors.
3. Key Features and Assistance Offered:
Stipend Support (Cost Sharing): The government continues to provide partial financial support to employers:
25% of the prescribed stipend, up to a maximum of ₹1,500 per month per apprentice, is reimbursed by the Government of India.
This stipend support is directly transferred to the apprentice's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via PFMS (Public Financial Management System), enhancing transparency.
Employers are responsible for paying at least 75% of the apprentice's stipend.
No stipend support is provided by the government during the basic training period for fresher apprentices.
Basic Training Cost Sharing: For apprentices who come directly without any formal trade training ("Fresher Apprentices"), the government shares the cost of Basic Training (BT) with Basic Training Providers (BTPs). This is limited to ₹7,500 per apprentice for a maximum duration of 500 hours or 3 months.
Industry-Relevant Training: Apprentices receive practical, on-the-job training (OJT) under the guidance of experienced mentors within the industry. This is complemented by theoretical instruction (Basic Training), which can be provided in-house by the establishment or outsourced to an approved BTP.
Types of Trades: Apprenticeship training can be offered in:
Designated Trades: These are specific trades or occupations notified by the Government under the Apprentices Act, 1961 (currently over 259 designated trades).
Optional Trades: These are flexible trades or occupations determined by the employer to meet their specific skill requirements, often in emerging or specialized fields. The duration for Optional Trades can be 6, 9, or 12 months.
Financial Assistance for Infrastructure (indirect): While direct infrastructure grants are less common now, the overall scheme design and financial incentives indirectly encourage establishments to invest in and upgrade facilities for effective apprenticeship training.
Apprenticeship Protsahan Yojana (APY): NAPS effectively consolidates and enhances the objectives of APY, providing the outlined financial incentives to employers for engaging apprentices.
Monitoring and Facilitation:
The Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), chaired by the Minister of MSDE, provides high-level policy guidance. The 38th CAC meeting (May 2025) recommended a 36% increase in stipends under NAPS and NATS, which is expected to be implemented, making apprenticeships even more attractive.
The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE is the primary implementing agency for apprenticeship training under "Designated Trades."
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is responsible for facilitating apprenticeship training under "Optional Trades" and plays a key role in engaging and supporting the ecosystem.
Digital Platform: Apprenticeship Training Management System (ATMS): Also known as the Apprenticeship India Portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in), this digital platform is central to NAPS. It facilitates:
Online registration for employers, apprentices, and BTPs.
Declaration of apprenticeship seats/vacancies by employers.
Searching and shortlisting candidates.
Issuing and accepting offer letters.
Online signing and approval of apprenticeship contracts.
Submission of claims for government support.
Monitoring of training progress and compliance.
Online examinations and issuance of Certificates of Proficiency.
4. Implementation and Accessibility:
NAPS is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through its various agencies, primarily the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Regional Directorates of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDATs) and State Apprenticeship Advisers (SAAs) play crucial roles in ground-level implementation, approval, and monitoring.
Interested employers and apprentices can access comprehensive information, register, and apply through the official Apprenticeship India Portal (apprenticeshipindia.gov.in).
Overall Impact:
NAPS aims to significantly increase the number of apprentices in India, targeting 46 lakh apprentices from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26. By providing financial support, a robust digital platform, and simplifying engagement processes, NAPS is instrumental in:
Bridging the gap between academic education and industry requirements.
Creating a skilled, industry-ready workforce.
Enhancing the employability of Indian youth.
Fulfilling the skilled manpower needs of industries across diverse sectors.
Promoting a culture of apprenticeship as a viable pathway for skill acquisition and career growth.
