- Why in news
- On 27 July 2026, the Skill Development Ministry gave the Lok Sabha the salient features of NAPS-2, with apprentice numbers up to 30 June 2026, stipend revision and an AJNIFM evaluation.
- What it is
- NAPS is a central scheme to promote apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961. The Government shares part of the stipend that establishments pay apprentices. Since 2022-23 it runs as NAPS-2 across the country.
- Stipend support via DBT
- The Government pays its share of the stipend straight into apprentices' bank accounts. This ensures transparency and timely payment.
- Portal and TPAs
- The apprenticeshipindia.gov.in portal handles the process end to end. Empanelled Third Party Aggregators help mobilise apprentices and establishments, especially MSMEs.
- Outcome evidence
- An AJNIFM evaluation found that around 72% of apprentices were offered full-time jobs after training.
- Implementing agency
- The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, will implement the extended intervention.
- Outlay
- ₹57.58 crore is earmarked for FY 2026–27, met from the North-Eastern Region component of PM-NAPS.
- Pilot results
- Apprenticeship engagement in the region rose 51 per cent, from 15,562 in FY 2024–25 to 23,470 in FY 2025–26.
- Legal basis
- Apprenticeship training in India is governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Don’t confuse with Apprenticeship vs Skill India courses: Apprenticeship is on-the-job training in an establishment under a contract and a stipend. Short-term skilling courses such as PMKVY are classroom-based training.
Don’t confuse with PM-NAPS vs NATS: Both support apprenticeships. NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme) is the older scheme, run by the Ministry of Education, and covers graduate, technician and diploma apprentices. PM-NAPS is run by MSDE.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Gives youth paid, hands-on training and a route to jobs, with about 72% getting job offers in the evaluation.
- Helps MSMEs take on trainees through aggregators, easing industry's skill shortage.
- Gives North-Eastern youth workplace experience and better employability, including outside their home region.
- Links industry and government establishments to skilling under the Skill India Mission, supporting inclusive regional growth.
Problems
- Apprentice numbers are very uneven across States. Maharashtra has about 13.5 lakh and Nagaland only 176.
- Smaller establishments may find it hard to take on apprentices without help.
- Apprenticeship demand depends on employers coming forward, and the region has limited industry.
- Living costs and relocation barriers can discourage youth from taking opportunities outside their home State.
Way forward
- Strengthen outreach in low-coverage States and the North-East.
- Link apprenticeship with degree and diploma programmes, such as the AEDP, and with new sectors.
- Widen employer participation, especially in the private sector, and link apprenticeships to job placement.
- Track outcomes such as completion and later employment, not only enrolment numbers.
Put in your answer
Link with NEP 2020: The Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme, built with UGC and AICTE, lets degree and diploma students do apprenticeship as part of the curriculum.
- 2021Mains GS2 · Q7Strengthening 'earn while you learn' scheme for meaningful vocational training
- 2016Mains GS2 · Q16Government measures to make population more productive and employable
- 2023Mains GS2 · Q18Linkages between education, skill and employment amid skill programmes
- 2018Prelims Q78Which statements on Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are correct?
- 2019Prelims Q61Service Area Approach implemented under which scheme or programme?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Issue on file. NAPS-2 features: partial stipend support via DBT under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Worth a card; question unlikely as the news is routine.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.