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. |
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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:
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Increased opportunities for youth to acquire relevant industry skills.
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Development of a competent workforce to meet industry requirements.
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Enhanced collaboration between industries and skill development initiatives.
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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:
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Financial Assistance: Government support to companies for providing stipends to apprentices.
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Skill Enhancement: Structured on-the-job training improves employability.
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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:
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School pass-outs (Class 5th – Class 9th): ₹5,000
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School pass-outs (Class 10th): ₹6,000
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School pass-outs (Class 12th): ₹7,000
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National or State Certificate holders: ₹7,000
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Technician (vocational) apprentices, Vocational Certificate holders, or Sandwich Course students (Diploma Institutions): ₹7,000
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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
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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.
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Minimum age: 14 years
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Minimum age for hazardous trades: 18 years (in respect of specific trades in hazardous industries, under Section 3 (a) of the Apprentices Act, 1961)
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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.
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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. |
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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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