What is NAPS-2 and how is it different from the earlier scheme?

NAPS-2 is the updated version of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It aims to make apprenticeship more accessible and attractive by offering partial stipend support to companies and encouraging hands-on training for youth across various sectors.

Who can apply for apprenticeships under NAPS-2?

Any Indian citizen aged 14 years or above is eligible to apply. For trades that are considered hazardous, the minimum age is 18 years. The upper age limit for receiving government stipend support is 35 years. Candidates also need to have an Aadhaar number and complete e-KYC during registration.

What financial benefits are offered under the scheme?

The government shares part of the apprentice's stipend with the employer, helping businesses reduce training costs. This financial support is meant to motivate more companies to hire and train apprentices, especially in small businesses and remote areas.

How can someone apply for an apprenticeship through NAPS-2?

Interested candidates must register on the official apprenticeship portal at www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. They need to create a profile, complete their e-KYC using Aadhaar, and then search and apply for suitable apprenticeship opportunities listed on the portal.

What is the goal of this scheme in the long term?

NAPS-2 aims to train around 46 lakh apprentices by the year 2026. It hopes to create a skilled workforce, improve employment rates among young people, and strengthen industry-academia links by encouraging real-world learning through apprenticeships.

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National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2): Eligibility, Benefits, Application Process, More

Jaagruk Bharat

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Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:25 AM

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2): Eligibility, Benefits, Application Process, More

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2) is a government scheme to develop skills in India through structured apprenticeships. With the help of apprenticeship training support to industries, NAPS-2 boosts employability and fills the skills gap in different industries.

This government scheme bridges the gap between industry requirements and workforce skills by providing incentives to the employer and direct financial support to apprentices.

Overview

Section	Details
Apprenticeship Training	Apprenticeship training means a course of training in any industry or establishment undergone in pursuance of a contract of apprenticeship on prescribed terms and conditions, which may be different for different categories of apprentices.
Designated Trades (DT)	Designated Trade means any trade or occupation or any subject field in engineering or non-engineering or technology or any vocational course which the Central Government, after consultation with the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), may notify in the Gazette
Optional Trades (OT)	Optional trade means any trade or occupation or any subject field in engineering or non-engineering or technology or any vocational course as may be determined by the employer.
Duration of apprenticeship training for OT	six (6) months, nine (9) months, and twelve (12) months.

What Is the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2?

The NAPS-2 is an upgraded version of the initial National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) launched to provide incentives and support to industries and companies for offering apprenticeship training to the youth. The government scheme aims to bridge the demand-supply gap for skilled manpower and promote the role of apprenticeship in creating a competent workforce.

Objective

Before diving into the objectives, it is essential to understand the broader goals of NAPS-2, which are aligned with building a resilient, skilled workforce that meets the diverse needs of India’s evolving economy. The government scheme not only focuses on providing structured training but also incentivises industry participation by offering financial support to employers.

a) To build a skilled workforce for the economy by promoting on-the-job experiential training.

b) To incentivise establishments to enrol apprentices by providing partial stipend support.

c) To offer upskilling opportunities for candidates who have completed short-term skill training under various Central and State Government initiatives

d) To encourage the enrollment of apprentices in small establishments, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and those located in underserved areas such as aspirational districts and the North-East Region.

Expected Outcome

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2) aims to bring transformative results by addressing the skills gap and enhancing the employment landscape. Its expected outcomes target multiple dimensions, focusing on youth empowerment, workforce readiness, and stronger industry collaboration. Each outcome highlights a core benefit of the Sarkari scheme:

Increased opportunities for youth to acquire relevant industry skills.
Development of a competent workforce to meet industry requirements.
Enhanced collaboration between industries and skill development initiatives.

Benefits Of NAPS-2

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2) offers multiple benefits to both apprentices and employers, supporting skill development and economic growth. These advantages make NAPS-2 a valuable government program for fostering a skilled workforce across industries. Here are the core benefits:

Financial Assistance: Government support to companies for providing stipends to apprentices.
Skill Enhancement: Structured on-the-job training improves employability.
Certification: Apprentices receive government-recognised certifications after training completion.

Stipend Support

Under NAPS-2, the government will pay for 25 percent of the apprentice's monthly stipend through a maximum of ₹1,500. The amount will be transferred directly to his bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during the period of the apprenticeship.

Fund Flow Mechanism

Earlier in the original NAPS, establishments would pay the full stipend to apprentices through their contracts. The government would reimburse these establishments through the Regional Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and respective state authorities, mostly manually. For establishments under Joint Apprenticeship Advisors, reimbursements are hand-managed via the apprenticeship portal.

The process has now changed in NAPS-2. To this day, industries pay for 75% of the stipend, and the balance of 25% is covered by the government, up to ₹1,500 per month. This partial stipend is directly transferred to the apprentices' bank accounts through PFMS using DBT.

Minimum Stipend Rate Payable To Apprentices Per Month

According to Rule 11 of the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 and Amendments (till 2019), the minimum stipend rates payable to apprentices per month are as follows:

School pass-outs (Class 5th – Class 9th): ₹5,000
School pass-outs (Class 10th): ₹6,000
School pass-outs (Class 12th): ₹7,000
National or State Certificate holders: ₹7,000
Technician (vocational) apprentices, Vocational Certificate holders, or Sandwich Course students (Diploma Institutions): ₹7,000
Technician apprentices or Diploma holders in any stream, or Sandwich Course students (Degree Institutions): ₹8,000 Graduate apprentices or Degree holders in any stream: ₹9,000

Eligibility Criteria For NAPS-2

The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2 (NAPS-2) is a specially designed government scheme for the smooth transition of individuals from academicians to practical work experience.

Minimum age: 14 years
Minimum age for hazardous trades: 18 years (in respect of specific trades in hazardous industries, under Section 3 (a) of the Apprentices Act, 1961)
Upper age limit: 35 years (to receive partial stipend support from the Government)

Exclusion

There will be no reimbursement of basic training costs under NAPS-2 for both Designated Trades (DT) and Optional Trades (OT).

Stipend support will not be provided under NAPS-2 for Central and State Government Departments, Central and State Public Sector Undertakings/Enterprises, as well as Public Sector Banks.

Application Process

Applying for the apprenticeship scheme is straightforward and can be completed online. Follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth registration:

Step 1: Visit the Apprenticeship portal.

Step 2: Select the desired option from the list. For example, Candidate, Establishment, Third Party Aggregator, Basic Training Providers, etc.

Step 3: Register yourself on the portal by entering your mobile number and e-mail ID after applying for the government scheme.

Step 4: New candidates have to register themselves on the portal by entering the Aadhaar number and completing e-KYC.

Step 6: Mobile OTP-based authentication will be required for all the candidates.

Documents Required

To be able to successfully apply for the NAPS-2, one needs to provide certain documents for a hassle-free application process. Make sure the documents are ready and up-to-date.

Aadhaar Card
Documents required as per selected Trade

Roles And Responsibilities

The overall regulation, management, and monitoring of NAPS-2 is conducted by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The national authority for the regulation of Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training is the establishment of regulations and quality standards.

Regional Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDSDEs), in the role of Apprenticeship Advisers (AAs), promote, implement, and oversee NAPS-2, with coordination with state governments and educational institutions to provide for widespread participation in apprenticeship training.

State Governments/Union Territories (UTs), through State Apprenticeship Advisers (SAAs), administer both Designated and Optional Trades of apprenticeship training, besides ensuring periodic reviews and implementation at district and state levels.

The National Skill Development Corporation oversees the apprenticeship for Optional Trades, manages the apprenticeship portal, and handles the release of stipend support to apprentices through DBT. SSCs, under NSDC, oversee apprenticeship programs and ensure active participation by establishments in their respective sectors.

Industrial Training Institutes, public and private, also play an important role by training apprentices, ensuring placement, and monitoring their records during and after the period of training apprentices.

Third-party aggregators bridge the gap for apprentices with establishments to specifically map candidates, ensure curricular needs are fulfilled, and track placements for a year post-training. In addition, it supplies progress reports every month to NSDC/MSDE.

Difference Between NAPS And NAPS-2

Parameter	NAPS	NAPS-2
Scheme Version and Focus	Launched as the initial framework for apprenticeship support and industry participation.	Enhanced version with expanded objectives, streamlined processes, and wider accessibility, especially for underserved regions.
Stipend Support Structure	Limited stipend support, with partial government assistance based on pre-defined criteria	Broader stipend support, with increased government funding to encourage more employers to participate.
Target Sectors	Primarily larger, established industries	Include focus on MSMEs and underserved areas, such as aspirational districts and the North-East region.
Certification Process	Basic certification upon program completion.	Enhanced certification with greater recognition, increasing apprentices' employability across industries.

Conclusion

NAPS-2 stands as a crucial government initiative to promote apprenticeships, thus improving employability and industry standards in India. By financially supporting employers and enhancing skill-building among the youth, it creates a robust workforce ready for the evolving demands of the industry

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