The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) turns “no experience, no job” on its head — you earn a monthly stipend while learning on the job at a real company, with the government sharing the stipend cost with employers. Apprenticeships run 6 months to 3 years and often convert into regular jobs.
Key facts
| What | On-the-job apprenticeship training with stipend |
| Stipend | Prescribed rates by qualification (roughly ₹5,000–9,000/month baseline; many employers pay more) |
| Government share | 25% of stipend up to ₹1,500/month reimbursed to employers (plus DBT top-ups in NAPS-2) |
| Duration | 6 months – 3 years depending on trade |
| Who | Age 14+ (18+ for hazardous trades); 5th pass to graduates, ITI/diploma holders |
| Portal | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in |
Why choose an apprenticeship
- Real industry experience beats certificates alone in hiring
- Stipend income while you learn
- A recognised NCVT/NSQF apprenticeship certificate at completion
- High conversion — many employers retain good apprentices as regular staff
How to apply
- Register as a candidate on apprenticeshipindia.gov.in with Aadhaar, education and trade preferences
- Browse and apply to apprenticeship opportunities posted by companies in your district/trade
- Attend the employer’s selection process
- Sign the apprenticeship contract on the portal (this makes your stipend and certificate official)
- Complete training + assessments to receive your certificate
Registration is free; stipend is paid by the employer monthly.
Frequently asked questions
Is an apprentice an employee?
No — apprentices are trainees under the Apprentices Act with a contract, stipend and training standards, but the period often leads to a job offer.
Can ITI pass-outs apply?
Yes — ITI and diploma holders are the largest apprentice group and get higher stipend slabs than freshers.
Can I do it alongside college?
Degree-linked and part-time models exist (including under NATS for graduates/engineers); most NAPS trades, however, need full-time presence.
Related schemes
Disclaimer: PMYojanaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always verify details on the official site apprenticeshipindia.gov.in before applying.