National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2
Businesses and organizations (except government departments and PSUs) can enroll apprentices aged 14–35 and receive a government subsidy of 25% of the monthly stipend — up to ₹1,500 per apprentice per month — making it cheaper to hire and train fresh talent. The scheme is part of the Skill India Programme and aims to promote on-the-job learning in MSMEs and infrastructure sectors. Register and manage apprentices via the National Apprenticeship Portal.
About This Scheme
Businesses and organizations (except government departments and PSUs) can enroll apprentices aged 14–35 and receive a government subsidy of 25% of the monthly stipend — up to ₹1,500 per apprentice per month — making it cheaper to hire and train fresh talent. The scheme is part of the Skill India Programme and aims to promote on-the-job learning in MSMEs and infrastructure sectors. Register and manage apprentices via the National Apprenticeship Portal.
Full official description
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) on 19th August 2016 to provide financial incentives to the establishments engaging apprentice under the Apprentices Act, 196
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2) aims to promote apprenticeship training in the country, by providing partial stipend support to the apprentices engaged under the Apprentice Act, 1961, undertaking capacity building of the apprenticeship ecosystem, and providing advocacy assistance to the stakeholders. It aims at improving ease of doing business by simplifying processes of apprenticeship engagement. NAPS-2 is a Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Central Government) and is one of the sub-components under the umbrella scheme of "Skill India Programme‟. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is responsible for the overall regulation, management, and monitoring of NAPS-2. Objectives of the NAPS-2 scheme:-
To develop skilled workforce for the economy by promotion of on-the-job experiential training.
To encourage establishments to enroll apprentices by sharing partial stipend support to the apprentices.
To provide up-skilling opportunities for candidates who have undergone short-term skill training offered by various Central and State Government initiatives.
To encourage enrolment of apprentices in small establishments especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and those located in the underserved areas such as aspirational districts and North-East Region.
Anticipated outcome of the scheme:-
MSDE aims to train 46 lakh apprentices from FY2022-23 to FY2025-26.
The scheme envisages greater promotion of apprenticeship in India and assisting stakeholders through various measures for accelerating the performance of Approved apprenticeship.
Other important key facts:-
To enhance and track the conversion of apprentices to employment, apprentices, on successful completion of their training, will be provided with a provision of quick registration on the National Career Service (NCS) portal of Ministry of Labour and Employment.
To boost apprenticeship engagement in the ever-growing infrastructure sector, NAPS-2 will be linked to flagship Government infrastructure programs via platforms such as Gati Shakti.
Innovative models to preserve and upgrade existing apprenticeship systems in the informal economy, with a focus on craftsman, artisans, traditional skills, etc., will be taken up under NAPS-2.
Benefits
- Government pays 25% of monthly stipend, up to ₹1,500/month per apprentice (paid directly to apprentice)
- Minimum monthly stipends: ₹5,000 (Class 5–9 pass) to ₹9,000 (graduates)
- Training duration: 6–12 months for optional trades; 1–2 years for designated trades
- Apprentices get NCS portal registration on completion for job placement support
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Apprentices must be Indian nationals aged 14–35 years (18+ for hazardous trades)
- Must have an Aadhaar number and complete e-KYC on the apprenticeship portal
- Establishments must be registered under the Apprentices Act, 1961
- Not available to Central/State Government departments or Public Sector Undertakings/Banks
- Candidates from government skill programs (PMKVY, DDUGKY, NULM) are encouraged to apply
Exclusions
- No reimbursement of basic training cost will be provided under NAPS-2, both for Designated Trades (DT) and Optional Trades (OT).
- No stipend support will be available under NAPS-2 to the Central and State Government Departments and Central and State Public Sector Undertakings/Enterprises, including Public Sector Banks.
How to Apply
- Visit the official page of Apprenticeship Portal i.e https://www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/****
- Click on Login/Register and choose from the listed options i.e as Candidate, Establishment, Third Party Aggregator, Basic Training Providers etc.
- Entering mobile number and email ID, one gets registered on the portal to apply for the scheme.
- For new candidate registration on the apprenticeship portal will only be completed once a candidate has entered his/her Aadhaar number and completed the e-KYC.
- Mobile OTP based authentication will be mandatory for all candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Basic Training mean?
Basic training is a kind of training that is provided to those persons who have not taken any kind of training before taking up on the job training.
What does On the job Training mean?
On the job training or practical training is a kind of training that is provided in the establishments. It is generally provided by the establishment itself. Under on the job training practical exposure is given to the applicant so that he or she can perform their task perfectly.
I am apprentice under NATS administered by MHRD? Am I eligible?
No, You are not eligible for the scheme.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Documents required as per selected Trade