Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) to promote apprenticeship training. Under NAPS2, the government provides stipend support to apprentices through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). As of June 30, 2025, 8.52 lakh apprentices are undergoing training, with significant MSME participation.
Key Points / Main Content:
NAPS Scheme Details:
-NAPS, a flagship initiative, is currently in its second phase (NAPS2).
-The government shares 25% of the minimum prescribed stipend, up to ₹1,500 per apprentice per month.
-Stipend support is directly disbursed to apprentices via DBT.
-8.52 lakh apprentices are currently training under NAPS across India.
-NAPS is a component of the Skill India Programme.
MSME Engagement:
-From FY 2018-19 to FY 2025-26 (as of June 30, 2025), MSMEs have engaged 16,91,618 apprentices, representing 41.45% of total engagements.
-The Ministry aims to enhance apprenticeship engagement within MSMEs and industrial clusters.
Support and Promotion:
-Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela is held on the second Monday of each month in one-third of the districts of each State/UT to facilitate apprentice onboarding.
-States have been requested to promote apprenticeship opportunities within MSMEs and clusters, aligning with the Apprentices Act, 1961.
-A list of 106 clusters under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) of the Ministry of MSME has been shared with States for targeted outreach.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship:
Impact: Responsible for the implementation and oversight of the NAPS scheme, including stipend disbursement and promotion of apprenticeship opportunities.
Action Required: Continue to implement and monitor NAPS2, disburse stipend support through DBT, and promote apprenticeship opportunities within MSMEs and industrial clusters.
Apprentices:
Impact: Benefit from stipend support during their training period, enhancing their skills and employability.
Action Required: Undergo training and receive stipends directly in their bank accounts through DBT.
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs):
Impact: Encouraged to engage apprentices under NAPS to benefit from skilled workforce development.
Action Required: Participate in Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas to onboard apprentices and collaborate with State Governments for awareness and engagement.
State Governments:
Impact: Play a role in promoting apprenticeship opportunities within MSMEs and clusters under their jurisdiction.
Action Required: Actively promote awareness about apprenticeship opportunities within MSMEs and clusters and collaborate with Cluster Facilitation Centres (CFCs) for targeted outreach.
Key Entities Referenced
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): A flagship initiative by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, aimed at promoting apprenticeship training across the country.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The Indian government ministry responsible for the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and skill development initiatives.
SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY: The Minister of State Independent Charge in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): Businesses of varying sizes that are being encouraged to include apprentices under the NAPS scheme.
Skill India Programme: A composite Central Sector Scheme of which NAPS is a key component.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The mechanism through which stipend support is disbursed directly to the apprentices bank accounts.
Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh: A district in Madhya Pradesh that is a specific target for apprenticeship promotion.
Apprentices Act, 1961: The act under which the State Governments have been requested to actively promote awareness about apprenticeship opportunities within MSMEs and clusters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRRED QUESTION NO. 213
ANSWERED ON 21/07/2025
APPRENTICES ENGAGED UNDER NAPS
213. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:
SMT.BHARTI PARDHI:
Will the MINISTER OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be
pleased to state:
(a) the number of apprentices engaged in various sectors under the National
Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) at present;
(b) the target set for the next financial year along with the strategy devised to achieve it
especially in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh;
(c) the manner in which the Government is promoting more Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small enterprises to include apprentices under NAPS to
benefit both the parties;
(d) whether any special incentive or simplified process is available for them; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b) The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), implemented by the
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, is a flagship
initiative aimed at promoting apprenticeship training across 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. As of
now, a total of 8.52 lakh apprentices are undergoing training under the scheme across
various sectors throughout India. The scheme is one of the three key components of the
composite Central Sector Scheme of “Skill India Programme”.(c) Under the scheme, from FY 2018–19 to FY 2025–26 (as on 30th June 2025), a total of
16,91,618 apprentices accounting for 41.45% of overall engagements have been on-
boarded by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This demonstrates the
substantial and growing participation of MSMEs under the scheme.
(d) & (e) The Ministry is committed to enhancing apprenticeship engagement within
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and industrial clusters. To support this
objective, the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela, held on the second Monday of
every month in 1/3rd of the districts of each State/U.T., serves as a vital platform for all types
of establishments—including MSMEs—to onboard apprentices. Given that MSMEs are often
geographically concentrated in clusters, they fall under the jurisdiction of respective State
Governments in accordance with the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961. Accordingly,
States have been requested to actively promote awareness about apprenticeship
opportunities within MSMEs and clusters under their purview. To facilitate this effort, a list of
106 clusters covered under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP) of the Ministry of
MSME—each having an operational Cluster Facilitation Centre (CFC) - has been shared with
the States for targeted outreach and engagement.
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