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.

The number of apprentices currently undergoing apprenticeship training under NAPS-2 as on 30^th June 2025 is 8,52,376 of which 1,95,680 are women apprentices across pan India level. The State/UT-wise including Uttar Pradesh number of apprentices currently undergoing training is at Annexure-I.

Under NAPS-2, to encourage greater participation from establishments in apprenticeship training, the Ministry has simplified processes through multiple Office Memorandums (OMs), upgraded the apprenticeship portal, and revised NAPS guidelines. Larger establishments can now provide basic training in-house, and centralized establishments may register under a single RDSDE.

The Ministry is actively engaging CPSUs with dedicated meetings held to explore expansion under NAPS-2. Monitoring mechanisms have been strengthened through a three-tier system involving central, regional, and state-level advisors to boost industry participation, ensure compliance, and drive apprenticeship engagement. Regular zonal review meetings with states are being held, and underperforming TPAs are being monitored and removed.

Over 36,000 establishments have participated in 5,339 Prime Minister National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) since June 2022. Financial support is now provided to states to organize Apprenticeship Melas, enhancing outreach efforts. Letters and outreach have been directed to top corporate houses, MSME clusters, and state officials to promote industry involvement. Meetings with industry players, Sector Skill Councils, and CPSUs have been conducted to improve collaboration.

Application Programme Interface (API) integration with state and central portals is underway to streamline processes and data sharing. A digital awareness campaign was launched in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Policy changes, like increased stipends and the introduction of Certificate of Proficiency, further aim to make apprenticeship more attractive for establishments and as well as apprentices. Further, Pilot initiative for special intervention for promotion of apprenticeship in North Eastern Region (NER) focuses towards increased establishment participation as well as apprentices of NER.

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS‑2)—launched in 2016 and revamped under Skill India—offers apprentices structured, paid on-the-job training across traditional and emerging sectors, with financial incentives for the benefit of the trainees directly through stipend support. Apprenticeships empower youth in tech-driven fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), green energy, and healthcare—by providing industry-aligned, hands-on experience that boosts employment or entrepreneurial success.

 The scheme promotes inclusive growth through participation from marginalized communities and female enrolment, and extends to underserved regions including the Northeast via special pilot initiatives that provides an additional amount of Rs 1,500/- over and above the Government share of stipend. Industry collaboration through Optional Trades ensures curriculum relevance, while enhancing global competitiveness.

Recent reforms include a proposed 36% stipend hike (from ₹5,000–9,000 to ₹6,800–12,300) tied to Consumer Price Index attract talent and supports apprentices from getting dropped in between the training programme. Major reforms as decision of 38^th 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 towards 2047 by bridging India's skill gap, enhancing employability and fueling industrial growth.

ANNEXURE - I

 

The State-wise number of apprentices currently undergoing training is given below:

 

S. No	State	Apprentices currently undergoing training
		Women	Men	Total
	Andaman And Nicobar Islands	89	133	222
	Andhra Pradesh	3,798	16,935	20,733
	Arunachal Pradesh	35	34	69
	Assam	2,086	3,663	5,749
	Bihar	533	2,743	3,276
	Chandigarh	411	689	1,100
	Chhattisgarh	921	4,313	5,234
	Delhi	4,867	14,093	18,960
	Goa	3,979	6,868	10,847
	Gujarat	17,253	62,772	80,025
	Haryana	12,004	46,082	58,086
	Himachal Pradesh	1,643	6,244	7,887
	Jammu And Kashmir	276	953	1,229
	Jharkhand	1,304	8,554	9,858
	Karnataka	16,791	60,026	76,817
	Kerala	3,824	7,753	11,577
	Ladakh	33	10	43
	Lakshadweep	6	2	8
	Madhya Pradesh	5,860	15,640	21,500
	Maharashtra	50,125	1,81,823	2,31,948
	Manipur	73	44	117
	Meghalaya	75	114	189
	Mizoram	57	100	157
	Nagaland	7	11	18
	Odisha	1,669	8,579	10,248
	Puducherry	1,171	2,893	4,064
	Punjab	3,399	9,638	13,037
	Rajasthan	3,732	17,267	20,999
	Sikkim	160	267	427
	Tamil Nadu	27,675	75,350	1,03,025
	Telangana	7,496	20,828	28,324
	The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	694	2,333	3,027
	Tripura	51	219	270
	Uttar Pradesh	13,776	50,277	64,053
	Uttarakhand	4,470	15,274	19,744
	West Bengal	5,337	14,172	19,509
	Total	1,95,680	6,56,696	8,52,376

 

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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VV/SH

(Release ID: 2149336)