The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has described the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), now continued as NAPS-2 since 2022-23, as a national programme to promote apprenticeship training and increase apprentice engagement. NAPS-2 provides partial stipend support to apprentices engaged by establishments under the Apprentices Act, 1961, with the Government’s share transferred directly to apprentices’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Background and earlier position: NAPS to NAPS-2
The Government of India launched National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in August 2016 to promote apprenticeship training and increase the engagement of apprentices. Since 2022-23, the scheme continues across the country as NAPS-2.
What NAPS-2 does: stipend support and implementation model
NAPS-2 supports apprentices engaged under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Government’s share of stipend is transferred directly to apprentices’ bank accounts using the DBT mechanism. Apprenticeship training is delivered in actual work environments using the training facilities of participating establishments, supported by an online portal for end-to-end implementation and monitoring. Mobilisation is supported through empanelled Third Party Aggregators (TPAs), particularly to reach MSMEs, along with awareness outreach through Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs).
What changed now: revision of minimum stipend linked to CPI
Related current affairs
- National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) details: apprentices engaged, stipend support and sector coverage
- Industry-Aligned Skill Development and Apprenticeship Promotion (NAPS-2, DBT stipend, women participation)
- Industry-aligned apprenticeship training under NAPS-2 and measures to expand participation (including women)