**Executive Summary**
This document addresses questions regarding the financial and operational impact of a 36% increase in apprentice stipends and the progress of Artificial Intelligence (AI) linked training programs. It also details the government's monitoring mechanisms. Key dates include the implementation of revised stipend rates on 25.09.2019, CAC's approval on 26.05.2025, and a Gazette notification on 11.09.2025. There are multiple action items regarding the assessment and monitoring of the revised stipend rates and AI training.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Revised Apprentice Stipends:**
* Fixed minimum stipend rates, based on educational qualification and uniform across sectors and trades, were approved by the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) with effect from 25.09.2019.
* A Consumer Price Index based revision to the prescribed minimum stipend was approved by the CAC in its 38th meeting held on 26.05.2025.
* The revised stipend rates were implemented via Gazette notification dated 11.09.2025.
* There is no additional financial burden under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2.
* **AI-Linked Training in Bolangir District:**
* Under PMKVY 4.0 and NAPS-2, 161 persons have been enrolled in Artificial Intelligence linked training (AI-Data Quality Analyst), with 152 reported as completed.
* The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has also introduced a Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) course on 'Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant (AIPA)' in 22 NSTIs since 2024-25.
* **Monitoring and Assessment:**
* The Ministry is addressing further assessment of the Gazette notification through the formation of sub-committees in three key areas to strengthen implementation oversight with the States including Odisha and across the sectors.
* The CAC has approved the constitution of three sub-committees to facilitate frequent engagement within the apprenticeship ecosystem. The sub-committee on Technology Futures & Trade has been assigned matters on developments relating to technological advancement, emerging job roles, sectoral changes and evolving skill requirements, particularly in areas such as AI, emerging technologies and industry transformation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Establishments:**
* **Impact:** Affected by the increase in apprentice stipends and the implementation of revised rates.
* **Action Required:** Comply with the revised stipend rates and participate in awareness webinars and updated processes.
**State Governments (including Odisha):**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and overseeing the revised stipend rates and AI training programs.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with sub-committees to strengthen implementation oversight.
**Apprentices and Trainees:**
* **Impact:** Benefit from increased stipends and access to AI-linked training programs.
* **Action Required:** Engage in training programs and comply with program requirements.
**Sector Skill Councils:**
* **Impact:** Stakeholders who requested and provided feedback during the consultation process regarding stipend revisions.
* **Action Required:** Support establishments with technical guidance.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0: A skill development scheme of the Indian government aimed at providing industry-relevant training to the youth.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2: A scheme to incentivize employers to engage apprentices, providing financial assistance for training costs.
Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC): The apex body responsible for regulating and standardizing apprenticeship training in India.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The central government ministry responsible for promoting skill development and entrepreneurship in India.
National Skill Training Institute (NSTIs): Institutes established by the Indian government to provide advanced vocational training.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO – 2422
ANSWERED ON 15/12/2025
“AI-LINKED TRAINING OUTCOMES UNDER REVISED APPRENTICESHIP STIPENDS
NORMS”
2422. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any national assessment of the financial and
operational impact on the establishments following the proposed 36 per cent increase in
apprentice stipends as recommended by the Central Apprenticeship Council and if so, the
details of data Sector-wise;
(b) whether Odisha has submitted details regarding expected changes in apprentice
engagement across manufacturing, Information Technology (IT), biotechnology and renewable
energy sectors after implementation of the revised stipend norms;
(c) whether Bolangir district has reported enrolments and completion outcomes in Artificial
Intelligence linked training under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2 and the Artificial Intelligence Programming
Assistant trade introduced in National Skill Training Institute (NSTIs); and
(d) if so, the details thereof including the Government mechanism for monitoring long-term
employment or apprenticeship continuation of trainees in emerging technology roles?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b) Fixed minimum stipend rates based on the educational qualification, uniform across
the sectors and trades, was approved by the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) and notified
w.e.f. 25.09.2019. Basis requests from establishments, State Governments and Sector Skill
Councils and feedback received during consultations with the stake holders at various of point
of time, considering the significant rise in the cost of living, a Consumer Price Index based
revision to the prescribed minimum stipend was placed before the CAC in its 38th meeting held
on 26.05.2025 which approved the proposal. There is no additional financial burden under
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2. The revised stipend rates were
implemented vide Gazette notification dated 11.09.2025 and was widely publicised. The Ministry
has since issued clarifications, conducted awareness webinars, and undertaken portal and
technical updates for the benefit of stakeholders. The Gazette notification was issued on 11-09-
2025 and further assessment on the same is being addressed through formation of sub-
committees in three key areas to strengthen implementation oversight with the States including
Odisha and across the sectors.
c) In Bolangir district, under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 and
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2, 161 persons have been enrolled in
Artificial Intelligence linked training namely AI-Data Quality Analyst of which 152 have been
reported as completed. Further, since 2024-25, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) has
also introduced a Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) course on ‘Artificial IntelligenceProgramming Assistant (AIPA)’ in 22 National Skill Training Institute (NSTIs) throughout the
country. The details are given in the table below.
Table
Sr.No. Scheme/Courses Name of curse/training programme/trade Enrolment Completion
1 PMKVY 4.0 AI-Data Quality Analyst 160 152
2 NAPS AI– Data Quality Analyst 1 -
3 Through NSTIs AIPA 960* 326
*Enrolment during 2024-25 is 462, out of which 326 trainees have completed the training. For the current
session of 2025-26, 498 trainees have been enrolled.
d) One of the decisions of the 38th meeting of the CAC held under the Chairmanship of
Hon’ble Minister I/C of the Ministry was the formation of sub-committees in key areas to
facilitate frequent engagement within the apprenticeship ecosystem. Accordingly, the CAC has
approved the constitution of three sub-committees. Among them, the sub-committee on
Technology Futures & Trade has been assigned matters on developments relating to
technological advancement, emerging job roles, sectoral changes and evolving skill
requirements, particularly in areas such as AI, emerging technologies and industry
transformation.
*****