Lok Sabha Question No. 4112 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Status of Apprentice Scheme
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRRED QUESTION NO. 4112

ANSWERED ON 18/08/2025

## 'STATUS OF APPRENTICE SCHEME'

## 4112.  SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

Will  the  MINISTER  OF  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  latest  update  on  the  Apprentice  Scheme  including  the  number  of positions available and the sectors covered under the scheme;
- (b) the details of the application process and the eligibility criteria for the apprenticeship positions;
- (c) the  number  of  apprentices  recruited  and  the  number  of  apprentices  successfully completed their training under the scheme so far;
- (d) the  measure  taken/being  taken  by  Government  to  ensure  that  the  apprenticeship programme  aligns  with  the  Skill  India  initiative's  goals  and  provides  valuable  industry exposure to the trainees; and
- (e) the plans to expand the apprenticeship programme to more sectors and increase the number of positions available?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a) National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) aims to promote apprenticeship training  throughout  the  country.  Initially  launched  in  August  2016,  the  scheme  is  currently being continued under its second phase, NAPS-2. Under NAPS-2, the Government shares partial  stipend  support,  limited  to  25%  of  the  minimum  prescribed  stipend  payable  to apprentices, subject to a maximum of ₹1,500 per apprentice per month during the training period. The stipend support is disbursed directly to the apprentices' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

To further strengthen apprenticeship training, recent reforms include a proposed 36% stipend hike (from ₹5,000-9,000 to ₹6,80012,300) tied to Consumer Price Index attract talent and supports apprentices from getting dropped in between the training programme. Major reforms as decision of 38th Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) include linking degree programs with  apprenticeships,  blended  training  modes,  reserved  slots  for  persons  with  benchmark disabilities and expanding training into emerging sectors such as Information Technology (IT), biotech,  renewable energy and telecommunications by updating industrial classifications to National  Industrial  Classification  (NIC)  2008  sets  the  tone  of  Apprenticeship  Training  by bridging India's skill gap, enhancing employability and fueling industrial growth.

In the current financial year (2025-26), a physical target of 13 lakh apprentices has been set under the scheme (NAPS-2), out of which 3.99 lakh apprentices have been engaged up to July 2025, with the balance proposed to be achieved in the remaining months of the year.

Under NAPS-2, apprenticeship training is being offered across 49 sectors nationwide, with major sectors including Automotive, IT-ITeS, Electronics, Retail, and Production & Manufacturing, among others.

- (b) The application process for apprenticeship positions entails that an eligible candidate, meeting the prescribed minimum age of 14 years (18 years for hazardous industries) and possessing the requisite educational/technical and  physical qualifications as per the curriculum  of  the  concerned  trade  (minimum  of  5th  class  pass),  shall  register  on  the Apprenticeship Portal (https://apprenticeshipindia.org) using Aadhaar or a Unique Identification  Number.  The  candidate  may  access  the  'Get  Started'  option  on  the  portal, follow  the  'Candidate  User  Manual,'  search  for  apprenticeship  opportunities  posted  by establishments, apply to potential employers, receive offer letters, accept the same, execute the contract of apprenticeship online, and thereafter commence training.
- (c) Under NAPS, a total of 41,95,703 apprentices engaged across the country from FY 2018-19  to  FY  2025-26  (Upto  July  2025),  of  which  21,47,122  apprentices  completed  the apprenticeship training.

(d)& (e)    Apprenticeship training is one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India and contributes to 'Skill India'. Various reforms, including amendments in 2014 to the Apprentices  Act,  1961  and  the  Rules  in  2019  and  launch  of  National  Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) have been carried out to facilitate the establishments to engage more  number  of  apprentices.  A  national  portal  (www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in)  for  the scheme supplements the scheme's effort to expand throughout the country. Further, since June 2022, Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) facilitates candidates to avail opportunities in Apprenticeship training and facilitates establishment to identify potential candidates and in selection of Apprentices. The event is conducted every month on the 2nd Monday, in at least 1/3rd  of  the  districts  of  each  State.  In  addition,  awareness  workshops assist in promoting the scheme amongst various stake holders throughout the country.

The  Apprentices  Act  allows  establishments  to  use  their  facilities  for  training  apprentices. Under  the  Act,  establishments  with  four  or  more  employees  are  eligible  to  engage apprentices, while those with 30 or more employees, apprentices engagement is mandatory. The Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), constituted under the Act, plays a pivotal role in shaping national apprenticeship policies, aligning vocational training with industry demands, and expanding opportunities across diverse sectors of the economy.

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