What happened

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has extended the Special Intervention for Promotion of Apprenticeship in the North-Eastern Region under the Prime Minister's National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme for FY 2026–27. The intervention will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati.

The Union government has set a target of 30,000 apprentices for FY 2026–27 and has earmarked ₹57.58 crore for the initiative through the North-Eastern Region component of PM-NAPS.

Background and earlier position

The ministry launched a pilot initiative in May 2025. The pilot was meant to deepen apprenticeship penetration across the eight North-Eastern States, increase participation by industry and government establishments, and strengthen youth employability under the Skill India Mission.

The pilot had a target of 26,000 apprentices and facilitated 23,470 apprentices, which the ministry described as more than 90 per cent of the target. Apprenticeship engagement in the region rose from 15,562 in FY 2024–25 to 23,470 in FY 2025–26.